Dabke

Dabke is a traditional Levantine folk dance performed by communities in the Levant region, including Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as in diaspora communities. It is typically performed at weddings and other celebrations.

Dabke is usually done in one or more lines or a circle, with participants holding hands or shoulders. A frontline leader or ra'ed sets the steps and rhythm, and the others follow. The dance features synchronized stomping and stepping, heel clicks, and simple hops. The tempo and style vary by region.

Music accompanies dabke with percussion such as the darbuka (tabla) and frame drums, often with violins, mijwiz reeds, and other traditional instruments. The rhythm is usually in a 4/4 or 8-beat pattern, and dancers may chant or shout call-and-response phrases that accompany the movements.

Origins are rooted in rural Levantine communities; over time, it became a staple of celebrations. The dance expresses communal identity and is taught informally in villages and urban centers alike, with regional variants reflected in steps and tempos.

In addition to weddings, dabke is performed at national holidays and cultural events. In the diaspora, it helps maintain cultural ties and serves as a social activity that brings people together.