Traditional group performance and stick song-dance that is performed by the population inhabiting Alhijaz region in western Saudi Arabia
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Mezmar or mizmar (Arabic: مزمارal-mizmar) is a traditional group performance and stick song-dance that is performed by communities that have migrated to Alhijaz region, western Saudi Arabia in the past few centuries, thus it is not considered part of the original culture of Hejaz nor its tribal native population.[citation needed] Almezmar is performed by about 15–100 practitioners in festive occasions such as wedding and national events, they twirl long sticks (bamboocane), beat drums and clap to songs that can pertain to a variety of topics such as heroism, praise, chivalry, love and generosity. In the past, the ritual was associated with battle or competition. It closely resembles the tahtib dance practiced in Egypt and Sudan.[1]
'Mizmar' is actually the generic term for almost any wind instrument found in the Hijaz or Asir, from the end-blown flute to the dual-piped boos. But the name of the art mizmar is confusing because the mizmar song-dance does not call for any wind instrument—there is no mizmar in mizmar, just drums."[1]
Performing Almezmar (mizmar) involves a group of men standing in two facing lines or in a large circle holding a stick, and when the drums start beating, the leader of each line begins to clap and chant loudly rhythmic songs called "zumaal" or "mizmar." The first row of men repeats the song with a strong clapping, and then the second line sings antiphonally.
^ ab"Mizmar" in Lisa Urkevich, Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. New York: Routledge, 2015. pp 193–196.
