Swing, folk costumes, and songs.. “Al-Madhara” is a Yemeni tradition to bid farewell and receive pilgrims

Yemeni photographers and activists have documented a set of photos and videos that show part of the activities of the "Al-Madhara" festival for cultural and popular heritage, which comes within the customs and traditions accompanying the farewell and reception of pilgrims.

In the middle of the neighborhoods or gardens, the caravan or swing decorated with lamps and some touches of Yemeni folk costumes is erected, and the relatives of the pilgrims and the residents of the neighborhood take turns playing and swinging, whether they are men or women, children or the elderly.

The singers chant chants with words indicating the association of the Madraha with the Hajj season through chanting folklore, to preserve the national and community identity.

Doaa Al-Wasei, President of the "Bilqis Throne" Foundation, participated in a series of videos from the event held by the Foundation with the aim of taking care of development, tourism, heritage and preserving the historical identity.

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The Sixth Madraha Ritual in the Seventy Gardens, implemented by the Throne Balqis Foundation for Development, Tourism and Heritage

♬ Original audio - Dua Muhammad Al-Wasei

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With the great vocalist, Yahya Al-Mahfadi, today at the sixth Al-Madhara Cultural Festival

♬ Original audio - Dua Muhammad Al-Wasei

Al-Wasei wrote, "The glorification of Hajj still evokes sentimental feelings in us for visiting the Sacred House of God. Brother Ammar Al-Hibri is distinguished by this color of recitation, and he took us with him to longing and nostalgia to visit Makkah Al-Mukarramah."

Yemeni photographer Ahmed Hamran commented - in a post on his Facebook account - by saying, "The Madraha is one of the most important popular festivals that are related to the Hajj in Yemen, and in Sana'a and its suburbs in particular."

Al-Madraha is a form of authentic Yemeni folk art, and its beginning goes back more than 1200 years.

It is an authentic annual tradition that recalls the pilgrimage season, the return journey of Yemeni pilgrims, and the revival of folklore.