Tag: دبكة بعلبكية
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The Masters of Baalbek Dabke – Preserving the Heartbeat of Lebanese Folk Dance
At the center of this living heritage stands a group of men known as “The Masters of Baalbek Dabke” — legendary dancers and singers who safeguarded and passed down the original styles of Dabke Baalbackieh from generation to generation. Their performances weren’t staged spectacles; they were a living heartbeat of the community.Who Are the Masters…
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The Solh Family & the Khataira: Baalbek’s Keepers of Authentic Dabke Tradition
Introduction: Before the Stage, There Was the Rooftop Long before Dabke was choreographed for grand theaters, it lived on the rooftops of Baalbek. At the heart of this oral and community-based tradition was one family: The Solh family. Known locally as the “Khataira” (the wise elders), they were not only performers — they were the…
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The Caracalla Legacy: How One Baalbek Family Took Dabke from Village Roofs to Global Stages
Introduction: From Baalbek’s Heart to the World’s Spotlight The Caracalla family — originating from Baalbek, Lebanon — has played a pivotal role in transforming Dabke from a rural, communal dance into a global performance art. Through the vision of Abdel-Halim Caracalla and the theatrical genius of Caracalla Dance Theatre, Dabke became not only a symbol…
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Badawiyya Dabke: The Desert-Born Dance of Baalbek’s Nomadic Roots
What Is Badawiyya Dabke? A Traditional Bedouin Dance Preserved in Baalbek Al-Badawiyya (البداوية) Dabke — or Bedouin-style Dabke — is one of the most ancient and emotionally resonant forms of Dabke preserved in the Baalbek region. With its shoulder-to-shoulder posture, tight formations, and stomping footwork, this dance style reflects Bedouin discipline, pride, and tribal unity.…
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Shamaliyya Dabke: The Fast-Tempo Pulse of Lebanon in Baalbek’s Repertoire
What Is Shamaliyya Dabke? A Northern Beat with Baalbaki Spirit Al-Shamaliyya (الشمالية) Dabke — meaning “the northern style” — is one of the most electrifying and fast-paced Dabke forms in the Baalbek region. Known for its rapid stomps, continuous motion, and celebratory energy, this style originated in northern areas of the Middle East like Palestine,…
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Askariyya Dabke: The Military March of Baalbek’s Folk Dance Legacy
What Is Askariyya Dabke? Where Folk Rhythm Meets Martial Precision Al-‘Askariyya (العسكرية) Dabke — meaning “military” — is one of the most vigorous and disciplined Dabke styles in the Baalbek tradition. Combining march-like footwork with forceful synchronization, this style reflects a strong, masculine energy that likely emerged from Baalbek’s historic exposure to Ottoman and French…
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Tirawi Dabke: The Spirited 8-Count Rhythm of Taraya, Baalbek
What Is Tirawi Dabke? A Mountain-Born Dance of Joy and Power Al-Tirawi (الطيراوية) Dabke, also known as Tirawiyye, is one of Baalbek’s most powerful and energetic Dabke styles. With origins in the town of Taraya, nestled in the Baalbek mountains, this style is defined by its 8-count rhythm and dynamic energy — making it a…
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Al-Zaino Dabke: Baalbek’s Rhythmic Dance That Starts on the Right Foot
What Is Zeno Dabke? The Right-Footed Rhythm of Baalbek Among the six main Dabke styles of Baalbek, Al-Zeno (الزينو) — sometimes spelled Zaino — stands out immediately for one striking feature: it’s the only Dabke in the region that begins with the right foot instead of the left. Rooted in the Kurdish-influenced rhythms of the…
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Al-‘Arja Dabke: The Signature Lean of Baalbek’s Dabke Masters
What Is Al-‘Arja Dabke? A Symbol of Strength and Solidarity Al-‘Arja (العرجا), literally meaning “the limp” in Arabic, is one of the most iconic Dabke styles native to the Baalbek region in Lebanon. This unique form of Dabke is characterized by dancers leaning on each other’s shoulders as they move forward in synchronized steps, mimicking…
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What is Dabke?
Similar to the other Dancing styles, Dabke Baalbackieh relies on the energy and enthusiasm of the dancer, where the steps should reflect the unified spirit of the group. As more questions are asked about the origins of Dabke, the main inquiry remains “What is Dabke?” The debate on the origin of this oriental dance keeps…
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