What Is Dabke? The Palestinian Dance of Joy, Unity and Resistance
If you have ever been to a Palestinian wedding, you will know the moment: the music starts, people link arms or hold hands, and a line forms across the room. Feet stamp in rhythm, the line sways, and before long almost everyone has joined in. This is dabke, the folk dance found across the Levant and loved in Palestine.
Dabke is performed at weddings, festivals and family gatherings, and increasingly at cultural events and solidarity gatherings around the world, including in the UK.
How dabke works
Dancers form a line or semicircle, holding hands or linking arms. The leader at the front, known as the lawweeh, sets the steps and often waves a handkerchief or string of beads, improvising moves that the line follows. The steps combine kicks, hops and strong stamps that keep time with the drum.
The music traditionally features the tabl, a large drum, and the mijwiz or yarghul, reed pipes with a bright, driving sound. Songs are often sung by the dancers themselves.
More than a dance
A popular story links dabke to village life, when neighbours stamped together to press down clay roofs. Whatever its origin, the dance is about community: nobody dances dabke alone. That is why it has become a joyful expression of Palestinian identity, performed by troupes on stage, by families at home and by crowds at events abroad.
Wearing Palestine proudly on a night of dabke is part of the celebration. A flag or Palestinian Boys t-shirt is easy to move in and stands out in photos. You can find more ideas in our guide to Palestinian symbols on clothing.
FAQ
Where does dabke come from?
Dabke is a folk dance from the Levant, traditionally performed in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, with regional styles in each.
Who leads the dabke line?
The leader at the front, called the lawweeh, sets the steps and improvises moves while the line follows.
Can anyone join in dabke?
Yes. Basic steps are easy to pick up, and joining the line at weddings and events is part of the fun.
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