What is the Al-Ayyala Hair Flip Dance? Traditional dance Steals Spotlight During Donald Trump’s UAE Welcome

A dazzling display of Emirati culture took center stage during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s welcome ceremony in the UAE, as the Al-Ayyala hair flip dance went viral for its rhythmic beauty and symbolic power.

The cultural performance, held at Qasr Al Watan and hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, featured the Al-Ayyala dance—a traditional performance recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UAE and Oman.

What Is the Al-Ayyala Hair Flip Dance?

Al-Ayyala is a deeply symbolic dance rooted in Bedouin traditions, often performed at weddings, national celebrations, and state visits. It showcases unity, pride, and the spirit of Emirati heritage.

Key elements of the dance:

• Men’s Role: Two rows of men face each other, holding bamboo sticks, simulating battle while chanting poetry to the beat of traditional drums.

• Women’s Hair Flip: Known as the Na’ashat, women in flowing white gowns stand at the front, rhythmically flipping their long hair in time with the music. This gesture represents grace, beauty, and victory.

• Musical Instruments: A mix of drums, tambourines, and cymbals provides the powerful rhythm that unifies the performance.

Trump’s Reaction: “I Love It!”

As Trump walked through the Al-Ayyala formation, a viral video shared by White House aide Margo Martin captured him visibly enjoying the performance. Dancers flipped their hair in perfect synchronization as the former president smiled and waved.

Trump, famously known for his distinct hairstyle, even remarked, “I love it!”, later calling Abu Dhabi a “beautiful city.”

The moment, dubbed the “Al-Ayyala Trump performance”, quickly trended on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with many users praising the performance’s cultural richness and visual impact.

Why the Hair Flip Dance Went Viral

Several factors contributed to the dance’s global appeal:

• Cultural Pride: It offered a powerful display of UAE’s national identity, combining ancient tradition with modern diplomacy.

• Visual Impact: The flowing dresses and synchronized hair-flipping movements captivated viewers around the world.

• Trump Factor: Viewers humorously linked the performance to Trump’s iconic hair, fueling memes and viral commentary.

While some social media users confused the dance with Khaleegy, local Emiratis, including Mohamed S. Al Mazrouei, clarified that this was indeed Al-Ayyala, a structured performance that includes both male and female participants.