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Literature
Kuwaiti society bases much of its culture on the
country's ancient folklore, which is replete with land
and sea tales, riddles and proverbs. In 1956, the
Folklore Preservation Centre was established to collect,
record, and classify Kuwaiti folklore. Songs based on
these tales are sung on public and private occasions.
Theatre
Kuwaiti drama troupes have won numerous prizes and
awards all over the world, and several theatrical
companies exist throughout the country. Some examples of
these are the Gulf Theatre, the Popular Theatre, and the
Kuwaiti Theatre. In 1973, the Ministry of Information
established the Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts to
prepare future artists in the field of theatrical arts
and ethics, and to promote widespread theatrical
awareness and appreciation.
Dance
Traditional dance is an important part of feasts and
celebrations. The Ardah dance is performed by men at
feasts and weddings. Dancers carry swords while dancing
to the rhythm of folk music played on drums and
tambourines. The Samiri , Fraisah, Al Zifan, hamari, and
Tanboura are dances that are performed by women at
family and social gatherings.
Music
The music of Kuwait is a reflection of its diverse
heritage. Kuwaiti traders brought back music from East
Africa and India. Traders from foreign shores left their
music behind too. The result is the rich and vibrant
sound of Kuwaiti music.
Kuwait is known as the center, along with
Bahrain for
sawt, a
bluesy style of music made
popular in the 1970s by
Shadi al Khaleej (the Bird
Song of the Gulf). 'Al Arda Al Bhariya' is a well-known
Kuwaiti sailor song, as are the al-Nahma, a class of
songs that accompanied many sailing activities. Mawleds
are recitations of sections from Muhammad's biography,
chanted on religious holidays.
A traditional musical instrument of the Bedouin is the
single-string 'Rubabah', made of parchment wrapped round
a wooden frame. Other popular instruments are the 'Oud'
(a lute), 'Al-mirwas' (small drums), 'Al-habban' (a
bagpipe) and 'Al-tanbarah' (a string instrument). Songs
are an integral part of dances that are performed at
weddings and other celebrations.
Films
The first film shot in, and about, Kuwait was a
documentary called Sons of Sinbad' in 1930. Till the
mid-1960s, most films were made by foreigners. The entry
of Kuwaitis in the fields of production, direction as
well as technical areas, was a turning point. Today,
video production, television and advertising are popular
avenues for young Kuwaitis. A major breakthrough was
achieved when Kuwait's very first feature film, Bas Ya
Bahar made in 1972, won nine international film festival
awards.
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