00:00These young Emirati men are clashing their swords at the Al-Saif traditional sword competition.
00:23They are battling it out to symbolically win the 16th century fort in the Emirate of Fujairah.
00:29The Al-Saif traditional sword competition was first launched in 2010.
00:48The competition has also entered the Guinness World Records for the largest Yola dance,
00:53in which 285 dancers participated.
01:13Moving gracefully to the tunes of the Yola, the swordsmen meet in the middle to display
01:18their mastery of the sword dance.
01:32They face each other, two on two, for the confrontation, or what they call the Al-Muzaffin.
02:00Al-Muzaffin is considered one of the traditional arts of the UAE, reflecting its social values,
02:06morals and aesthetics.
02:20The warriors in the middle are judged by a team of judges on their skill in throwing
02:24the swords high up in the air and catching it with precision.
02:29Points are also scored by the warriors for their footwork as they dance and jump high
02:59The falling of a sword or headscarf would mean deduction of points.
03:16The warriors say they are proud of their heritage and are keen to preserve it.
03:37This contest clearly shows that modernity has not erased the rich and unique traditions
03:42of the UAE.
03:44Sunita Menon, Gulf News.
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