#/ichElementsIntro

Watch the video

Discover More

Music from different parts of the world often uses repetition, which makes it easy to remember and join in. Repetition is also useful when doing tasks that don't need too much concentration.
 Experiment with repetition and see how it feels like music, even without a melody. As a group, come up with 4 short sentences, where the last word of each sentence is the same as the first word of the next sentence. For example: "Hi, my name is Ahmed. Ahmed bought some dates. Dates taste good. Good sounds like food."
 Complete the exercise as a group and test whether, through repetition, the words begin to sound like music.

Prompts

Music from different parts of the world often uses repetition, which makes it easy to remember and join in. Repetition is also useful when doing tasks that don't need too much concentration.
 Experiment with repetition and see how it feels like music, even without a melody. As a group, come up with 4 short sentences, where the last word of each sentence is the same as the first word of the next sentence. For example: "Hi, my name is Ahmed. Ahmed bought some dates. Dates taste good. Good sounds like food."
 Complete the exercise as a group and test whether, through repetition, the words begin to sound like music.

Get familiar with the story

Let’s get started

Shila is the expression of Nabati poetry through singing. Performers raise their soulful voices to deliver not only the words of the poem, but the emotions tied to them, and they are often accompanied by a stringed instrument called a rebabah. The sung poems of Shila traditionally do one of three things: describe a scene, offer praise, or share words of wisdom. They deal with several poetic themes such as praise, but with a sense of melancholy. Shila is performed by one or two people and is often a component of other performances, such as Ayyala and Razfa. 
 
Related elements
Al Ayyala, Al Azi, Al Razfa, Al Taghrooda, Poetry

Taghrooda is a form of improvised poetry that emerged from the desert, the mountains and the rural villages of the UAE as a way for people to entertain themselves while working. Bedouin camel riders and herders would chant Taghrooda to pass the time on their journeys and to set a pace for their camels. Taghrooda uses the same simple melody and focuses on themes like love and devotion to family and community as well as social commentary and historical achievements. Riders would improvise short poems and recite them in a call and response style, with a lead singer chanting at line and the group repeating it and so on. Taghrooda is still a beloved component of Emirati culture and is a vital source of wisdom and insight into the history of the UAE. Taghrooda was inscribed in 2012 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
 
Related elements
Al Ayyala, Heda'a Al Ebel, Poetry, Al Shila

Al Wanna is a traditional performing art characterised by melodic vocals and sung Nabati poetry. Through Al Wanna, a poet expresse in their long, heartfelt notes. Although the melody can be sad, poets often blend Nabati poetry on different topics into their performance, and are sometimes accompanied by the Rebabah, a traditional Arabic string instrument. Wanna is performed at social occasions and national holidays and can also be presented as part of an Ayyala performance. 
 
Related elements
Al Ayyala, Al Shila, Poetry

Al Taghrooda Video 1

Al Taghrooda Video 2

Al Taghrooda Video 3

Al Shila is not merely about reciting words; each type of Al Shila has its own rhythm, structure, and distinctive features. Al Taghrooda, for instance, focuses on the repetition of melody and rhythm, while Al Wanna is characterized by long, melancholic sighs. These performances use sound, melody, and rhythm to convey emotions to enhance the meanings of the words.
 
Experience this for yourself by practicing alongside recordings of poets and trying to replicate their performances.

<ul>
<li>"Al Taghrooda Poetry card"</li>
</ul>

Al Taghrooda

<ul>
<li>"Al Wanna Poetry card"</li>
<li>Breath like an Al Wanna Poet activity guide</li>
</ul>

Al Wanna

Materials

Instructions

Al Shila is not merely about reciting words; each type of Al Shila has its own rhythm, structure, and distinctive features. Al Taghrooda, for instance, focuses on the repetition of melody and rhythm, while Al Wanna is characterized by long, melancholic sighs. These performances use sound, melody, and rhythm to convey emotions to enhance the meanings of the words.
Experience this for yourself by practicing alongside recordings of poets and trying to replicate their performances.

Try it yourself

Let's make something

Story 1

Identify and interpret types of performed poetry.

Poetry as a medium for expression

We tapped into shared ingenuity and resilience to build a strong foundation for survival, in tough conditions with limited natural resources. This grew into a culture of craftsmanship and innovation.

Traveling across a sparse landscape, we valued generosity and developed rituals of hospitality. We expressed shared experiences through the arts, building pride and a distinctive way of life across the generations.

As natural explorers between the desert and the sea, we listened and expressed ourselves to the world in equal measure. With growing regional influence and global connections, we became a thoroughfare for goods and ideas.