SILVA IBRAHIM

Raqqa- Palmyra is one of the groups formed in North and East Syria since the revolution that started on July 19, 2012. The group aims to preserve the folk dances that reflect the life of the people in the Euphrates region.

Formed in 2022, the group was named after the ancient city of Palmyra, an oasis in the Syrian desert. The group consists of 15 members, all of whom are girls over the age of 12, performing the folk dances of the region by wearing folk costumes of different ethnic groups.

In the 1980s, a folk dance group called “the Ismail Al-Ajili Dance Group” was formed in Raqqa. The group had members from all cities of Syria; however, the group dissolved following the start of the Syrian civil war. Its members in Raqqa formed other folk dance groups to preserve their folk dances. Manar Najjar, one of them, has become famous with her performances in the Middle East. She has displayed her performances in Dubai, Qatar, and Tunisia. After years, she formed the Palmyra Dance Group in Raqqa.

‘The group brings together all the cultures of the region’

Born in the city of Latakia, Manar Najjar grew up in Raqqa. Three years ago, she formed the Palmyra Folk Dance Group with several other people. The members of the group perform Kurdish, Arab, Circassian and Armenian folk dances. “The group brings together all the cultures of the region,” Manar Najjar told NuJINHA. “The folk dances from different ethnic and religious identities add beauty and creativity to the group's performances.”

The members of the Palmyra Folk Dance Group are only girls. “The members of the previous group were boys and girls. So, I thought of forming a girls’ folk dance group,” said Manar Najjar. The group has already participated in many festivals held in North and East Syria. “Our performances have attracted considerable attention, motivating us to keep working hard. During many festivals, people asked us to perform more than once.”

One soul in 15 bodies

Speaking about the performances of the group members, she said, “They are like one soul in 15 bodies, performing the same movement at the same time with the same rhythm. Now, we want to be a folk dance group known all around the world.”

‘A way to get rid of negative energy’

Sham Siraj, the daughter of Manar Najjar, is a 19-year-old woman working as a dance teacher. She has danced for 10 years and is a member of the group. She thinks dance is “a way to get rid of negative energy”.

“What adds beauty to our group is that all group members are all girls. This brings harmony among the group members. During our performances, the audience encourages us to keep dancing. I want to pass down folk dances to the next generation.”

Israa Ibrahim has been a member of the Palmyra Folk Dance Group since its formation. “There is harmony and integration among the group’s members, even though each has a different cultural background,” she told us. “We have performed in many festivals and events in the cities across North and East Syria including Manbij before it was occupied by the Turkish state and cantons such as Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor and Jazera.”

The group members have training and rehearsals twice a week. “The hours for training and rehearsals are determined according to the members of the group because the girls go to school or work. The Palmyra Folk Dance Group introduces the cultural heritage of the region to the world.”