Qatar entertains population with music from Yemen and Saudi Arabia

01/06

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The lead singers played the Oud and sang a duet. The music played was traditional Saudi and Yemmeni folk songs. The ruling Al Thani family spend significant sums of money on public entertainment for all people.

02/06

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The folk music troupe were all men as is customary with Saudi culture. The men performed several dances which were highly energetic, with the beating drums and singing. The audience all joined in in the usual highly charged Bedouin way.

03/06

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The duet of singing and Oud playing was very popular with the local Qatari audience. The duet was with two well known and highly regarded traditional folk singers. This event is held every Friday an is hugely popular.

04/06

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Souk Waqif is an Arabic name. When translated it meams 'The Standing Market'. This refers to the many small shops all packed tightly together, allowing only standing space. The Souk has been redeveloped over the last 7 years to become a social hub.

05/06

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The Yemmeni singers also used procussion blocks and were very animated, gaining great joy from the performance. Traditional folk music and dance is very popular in Bedouin culture and many people come to the Souk to watch and participate.

06/06

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The last act of the Yemmeni dancers was to dance and clap right up to the drummers. By the time the dance had finished the dancers were clearly exhausted but elated. The crowds were generally standing, dancing and singing along.

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Qatar is the world's richest nation per capita. The Emir HH Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani provided free public entertainment for the population in Souk Waqif, featuring a performance by folk musicians and dancers from Yemen and Saudi Arabia.