Freej Folklore

This post is a very late one, but regardless I really want to share it with everybody.

Freej Folklore is an Arabic theatrical production of the largest in the Middle East about the Arab and specifically Emarati culture which is directed by a young Emarati man called Mohammed Saeed Harib. His idea initially started as a cartoon on four Emarati women displaying the Emarati heritage and culture in modern U.A.E., Freej means neighborhood in Emarati Arabic and is the name of the cartoon.

Last year Harib decided to take the idea of the cartoon a step further and masterminded this theatrical production and put together a team for it. Luckily, one of Razan’s friends had tickets and hence we were all able to go. I was truly impressed by the show, it was spectacular. I feel so proud knowing that an initiative and potential is being put forward to convey and demonstrate the culture of U.A.E. to the diverse expats living in the U.A.E. for many years. What is even more impressive is that there is a show in Arabic and in English, which reaches even a wider audience. I was so thrilled by the show that I went twice.

The show started with a recapitulation of the most famous Arabian legends and characters such as Aladdin, Ali Baba and Ibn Batutta and gradually closed up to U.A.E.’s culture. The production integrated the cartoon characters with human performances using 3D affects which made it very flamboyant.

The dances, costumes, music, 3Daffects, graphics; you name it, were all so cohesive together and gave it a grand feeling.

I tried taking as many pictures from where I was sitting, but with a failed attempt, my camera couldn’t zoom that far, so the pictures below are from the show’s blog and main website. However, I did take some very immature videos and put them together, I hope you get a sense of what’s it like. Although, I have to admit that I noticed the crowd wasn’t too enthusiastic, especially the Emarati crowd. You will definitely notice our loud voices from the video, we were wooing and clapping like anything, we all really enjoyed it.

Notice the Arabian costumes the men on the horses are wearing, they reminded me of the Arabian men and deserts Coelho talks a lot about in his books, I somehow visualized them like that. The dance and music I mostly enjoyed and hardly ever get to see is the “Al Yolla” which is the men with sticks dancing to the beat of the drum, this part is pure Emarati culture, music, costume and dance and is followed by another one with younger kids twirling swords. The girls’ swinging their hair is the corresponding traditional Emarati female dance. Ah I also specifically like how the images of the very many tall real estate buildings that Dubai is fueling its economy on AND some construction sites.

Here is a description of ‘Al Yolla’ that I found on the show’s blog http://folkloretales.blogspot.com/2009/01/friday-night-at-freej-folklore.html

This is the main website http://www.folklore.ae/main.html

‘"Al Yolla"is the most popular battle scene dance in UAE culture. It's performed by a group of men using their sticks, swords or sometimes rifles. With rhythmic stepping to the beats of traditional musical instruments like the doumbek - which is made of ceramic and goatskin. It's used as a percussion instrument. Also the oud - a string instrument.

The Yolla dance gets performed at weddings and special occasions. The men form 2 or 4 rows, alternating their forward & backward steps to symbolize victory and defeat.”