RIYADH — At least 25 Saudis are required for a band that perform the folkloric Ardha dance while wearing the formal dress, according to the rules formulated by the National Center for Saudi Ardha. The center, which is an affiliate of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), emphasized that all folklore bands that perform the Saudi Ardha and all the concerned parties in the government and private sectors that want to hold Ardha performances during occasions shall submit online requests for the same with the Darah website. The general rules for the participation in Ardha included that the band shall agree to perform the dance on the occasions required by the National Center for Saudi Ardha. The performers wear an ankle-length shirt of wool or cotton known as thawb. On their heads, they wear a large square of cotton ghutra that is folded diagonally over a skullcap, namely koffiyeh, and held in place with a cord circlet, called igaal. The flowing, full-length outer cloak, namely bisht, generally made of wool or camel hair, completes the outfit. The dancers use swords while dancing to the beat of drums. It was stipulated, in the regulations, that the band members should not write the name of the band on the clothes and paraphernalia of the performance, and to respect the traditions of the performance and not to deviate from them. It is forbidden to perform the dance in a way that is outside its original form. The performance shall be carried out in an appropriate way. It is also forbidden to perform the traditional dance form in inappropriate places. At present, dancers will perform Ardha in the Saudi national dress, a red checkered Keffiyeh, and pristine white thoub. Those flanking the national flag bearer may additionally also wear a ceremonial bisht — a gold-trimmed loose-flowing black cloak over the thoub. Performers may also strap cross-belts over their chests, along with weapons and another leather belt around their waists to hold the curved daggers known as khanjar.
