Al-Mizmar

Al-Mizmar is a traditional group performance practised by members of the Hijazi community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on festive occasions, which include family and national celebrations, religious holidays and government events.[1][2]

It is a dance performed with sticks to the beat of drums, and it is one of the forms of cultural expression that distinguish the identity of the community and bring together people from diverse backgrounds.[1][2]

Between 15 and 100 performers take part in Al-Mizmar, arranging themselves in two rows facing each other and wearing a long white garment, and each row has a leader.[1][2]

As soon as the drums begin to beat, the leader of each row begins to clap and chant loudly songs about gallantry, generosity and love.[1][2] The first row repeats the song with strong clapping, and the second row then sings in alternation, as if echoing the first row.[2]

After that, two performers move to the centre of the circle, each twirling a large stick in quick, graceful moves, sometimes around a lit fire or objects, and then two further performers follow them.[1][2]

Women take part in making some of the clothing and may join in the singing and dancing at private occasions, while local craftspeople make the drums and sticks used in the performance.[1][2]

This heritage is passed on to younger generations through observation and practice, especially by performing arts troupes and heritage centres.[1][2]

As a form of cultural expression, Al-Mizmar acts as a marker of the identity of the community and brings together people from diverse backgrounds, and it is a source of entertainment and shared knowledge that forms part of the collective memory.[1][2]

Alongside Al-Mizmar, the group-performance dances of Saudi heritage include arts such as Al-Dahha, Al-Samri and the Saudi Ardah, which are celebrated on national occasions and at heritage festivals such as the Janadriyah Festival.

In 2016 CE, Al-Mizmar was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, during the eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee (11.COM).[1]

The nomination file of the element carried the number 01011, and the inscription decision was recorded under the reference 11.COM 10.b.27 among the documents of the eleventh session.[1]

Q: What is Al-Mizmar? A: A traditional group performance practised by members of the Hijazi community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a dance performed with sticks to the beat of drums on festive occasions.[1][2]

Q: When was Al-Mizmar inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity? A: In 2016 CE, during the eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee (11.COM).[1]

Q: How many performers take part in the Al-Mizmar dance and how do they arrange themselves? A: Their number ranges between 15 and 100 performers, who organise themselves in two rows facing each other and wear a long white garment, and each row has a leader.[1][2]

Q: Do women take part in Al-Mizmar? A: Yes, women take part in making some of the clothing and may join in the singing and dancing at private occasions.[1][2]

Q: How is the heritage of Al-Mizmar passed on to new generations? A: Through observation and practice, especially by performing arts troupes and heritage centres.[1][2]

A Hijazi group performance with sticks to the beat of drums, Al-Mizmar is held on family, national, religious and government occasions, and it is a marker of the identity of the community and part of its collective memory.[1][2]

With its inscription in 2016 CE on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this heritage moved from local practice to international documentation, while continuing to be passed on to new generations through performing arts troupes and heritage centres.[1][2]