Poetry, drums and hair-flipping: What Is Al-Ayyala, traditional dance seen during Donald Trump’s UAE visit?

United States President Donald Trump received a grand cultural welcome in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the final leg of his three-country tour of the Gulf region. As he arrived at Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace, visuals of a traditional Emirati dance known as Al-Ayyala went viral, capturing the attention of viewers across social media platforms.

In the widely circulated footage, President Trump was seen walking through two rows of women dressed in flowing white gowns with long, dark hair. As he made his way forward, the women, performing in unison, dramatically flipped their hair from side to side, synchronising their movements with the steady beat of drums. Behind them, men played traditional percussion instruments, setting the rhythm for the performance.

The striking dance was identified as Al-Ayyala, a traditional form of cultural expression deeply rooted in the heritage of the region. According to a report by UNESCO, Al-Ayyala is widely practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. The art form, which includes poetry chanting and drum performances, is typically carried out to simulate scenes of battle, but is also performed during weddings and festive occasions.

UNESCO’s documentation describes the ritual: “Men stand in two rows facing each other while carrying swords or bamboo sticks to simulate a battle scene. They move their heads and swords to the beats of the music.” In the UAE, the dance includes the active participation of women, who wear traditional attire and stand in front, performing synchronised hair-flipping movements as part of the choreography.

The cultural performance served as a symbolic gesture of welcome and respect as President Trump concluded his diplomatic tour, which began in Saudi Arabia and continued through Qatar before reaching the UAE. In his engagements, President Trump reiterated his commitment to deepening bilateral ties and fostering economic and technological partnerships.