Music of Qatar

Qatar is an Arab country located in the Middle East. Its culture is based on Bedouin poetry, song and dance. Traditional dances in Doha are performed on Friday afternoons; one such dance is the Ardah, a stylized martial dance performed by two rows of dancers who are accompanied by an array of percussion instruments, including al-ras (a large drum whose leather is heated by an open fire), tambourine and cymbals, along with small drums. Other instruments played in Qatar incllude the oud and rebaba, both string instruments, as well as the Arabian flute.

The Qatari Gulf Folklore Center is one of the preeminent centers for the study of the folk music of the Persian Gulf.