Southern Ardah

The Southern Ardah is one of the dances performed in the southern regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Aseer Province and al-Bahah Province, with some variations in the movement performance. Historically, it has been known as a collective military display performed to instill enthusiasm in the hearts of warriors, celebrate victory in wars, or rhythmically showcase combat skills.

The Southern Ardah is one of the forms of traditional folklore shared by several governorates across the southern regions of Saudi Arabia. The art of Ardah can be considered a cultural heritage that transitioned throughout Saudi history from the fields of preparing for battles to the arenas of national celebrations.

Like most traditional dances in Saudi Arabia, Ardah conveys the concept of play rather than dance. Traditional dances in Saudi Arabia are referred to as play followed by the name of the dance. The distinction between the various types of Ardah in the south is made by referencing the tribe to which the Ardah belongs. For instance, it is referred to as the play of Ghamid, the play of Zahran, the play of Shihri, or the play of Shahrani.

The Southern Ardah is a group dance in which the performers wear daggers, locally known as Jambiya, and perform using other weapons such as swords and rifles. The group of Ardah performers is referred to as al-‘Arideen (performers), and the performance is typically limited to men due to its common association with the combat preparations of warriors. Ardah is one of the chants that relies on the strength of human voices for its success, reflecting ancient rituals of vocal preparation for battles.

The chants of the Southern Ardah involve a rhythmic pattern produced using the zeer musical instrument, during which the performers collectively repeat a poetic verse after it is sung by improvisational poets. Unlike most traditional dances, the Southern Ardah does not include pre-written poetic verses. Instead, it relies on improvised poetic exchanges between four poets. These exchanges often highlight the culture of traditional poetry in Saudi Arabia, encompassing themes of pride, enthusiasm, and the historical epics of Saudi tribes.

The poetry of the Southern Ardah differs from traditional Muhawarah poetry, also known as Qaltah poetry, which is referred to as Shaqr. This term corresponds to the concept of complete paronomasia in the Arabic language. The verses initiated by one poet are called Bida‘ (initiation), while the verses with which another poet responds are referred to as Radd (response).

Participants in the Southern Ardah stand in two opposing rows, with a distance of no more than two m between them. A poet stands in the middle, initially turning to the first row to recite the first line of the poem, then turning to the second row to recite the second line. Afterward, the drums begin to beat, gradually increasing in volume, marking the start of the Raddah (chant). This is accompanied by rifle shots fired into the air. The performers then begin to leap while raising their rifles, swords, or janbiya, ensuring their movements align precisely with the drum rhythm. The performers stamp their feet forcefully on the ground in harmony with the zeer rhythm to instill enthusiasm in the other rows, who then begin to sway collectively from right to left, forward, and backward. As the rows synchronize fully, one or two participants step out into the space between the rows to perform a display and dance with the swords, rifles, or daggers they carry. They then return to their places, allowing others to take their turn, continuing in this manner until the Ardah concludes.

The Southern Ardah is present as a cultural and social heritage during public and private events, national days, and wedding celebrations in Aseer Province and al-Bahah Province. A dedicated festival was established for the Southern Ardah as one of the traditional dances, known as the Southern Ardah Festival. Its first edition was launched in Aseer Province in 2020.