Language/Standard-arabic/Culture/Dabke-dance

The Dabke (Arabic: دبکة, "kick") is a type of male folk dance known in the Levant, with several regional versions. It is a line group dance where the dancers hold hands and strike the ground hard. It is most often danced at weddings, banquets and occasional parties. It can last two hours or more.

• Dabke is a way of expressing joy and happiness for Arabs.

• When a person graduates or gets married, it is better to do Dabke or the party might be boring.

• Not all Arabs do Dabke. It only exists in certain parts of the Middle East such as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It is rare to see it in the Gulf countries or in South Africa which have their own way of dancing.