The formation
Alardah Alnajdiyah brings together drummers, dancers and poets. The male dancers carry light swords and stand shoulder to shoulder in two facing rows, with the drummers in the gap between them. One performer in full costume carries a flag.
The large drums sound first, in quick succession, followed by the smaller ones. A poet chants verses written for the occasion, loudly, and the men answer by singing them back.
The movement
The performers sway back and forth and side to side, raising and lowering their swords in time with the drums and the verse. When the poem ends, the men gather around the flag.
The Ardah is performed at religious holidays, weddings, births, graduations and events of national or local importance. Any man may take part, whatever his age, status or profession, and women take part as costume makers. Troupes, schools and neighbourhoods keep it alive. UNESCO listed it in 2015.