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| Rimbiana |
Dabke is a traditional, high-energy Levantine folk
dance performed by groups in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. It
combines circle and line dancing, with dancers holding hands or arms in a tight
line or semi-circle, performing synchronized stomping, jumping, and footwork
movements to traditional music.
Originating from a communal act of stomping mud to repair
roofs, dabke has evolved into a powerful symbol of unity, cultural identity,
and resistance against oppression, performed at joyous occasions and as a
demonstration of solidarity.
The dance is accompanied by traditional music, often
featuring wind instruments and popular singing, with the music setting the
tempo and mood. It is performed at celebrations like weddings and
festivals but can also be a display of strength, power, and resilience.
For Palestinians, dabke is a vital part of their cultural
heritage, a way to connect with their roots and express their identity under
occupation. In contemporary times, dabke has become a powerful symbol of
Palestinian identity and resilience, used to demonstrate unity against
oppression.
White dust in the air, a bitter taste
Another day, a life laid waste
Empty bowls and hollow eyes
Underneath these Gaza skies
Whispers soft of what used to be
A stolen home, a broken key
Oh dear Palestine, your children weep
While shadows long and hunger deep
In Gaza's cage, the spirit strains
Through bombing nights and pouring pains
A silent cry, a fading plea
For freedom's dawn and dignity
The sun beats down on crumbling stone
A mother's sigh, a child alone
No bread to share, no milk to pour
Just echoes haunting every door
The world looks on, or turns away
As hope grows dim with each new day
Oh dear Palestine, your children weep
While shadows long and hunger deep
In Gaza's cage, the spirit strains
Through bombing nights and pouring pains
A silent cry, a fading plea...