Arabic Dabke Dance

Dabke is the most popular Arab folk dance of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It literally means "stamping of feet". Sang at joyous occasions, the Dabke leader is supposed to be like a tree, with a proud trunk and hands in the air, setting the rhythm which the others follow. Instruments used include: the lute (pear shaped guitar), mijwiz (type of clarinet), tablah (hand drum) and the daff or rikk (tamborine).