Watch: Chilean Women Dance Palestinian Dabkeh On Streets In Solidarity

On May 12, a group of women come together in Santiago, Chile, to showcase a demonstration to support Palestine and perform dabkeh, their traditional dance. The video, posted on Hidden Palestine's Instagram, showed members of a feminist collective group called "Hierba Mala" dressed up in the Palestinian keffiyeh. The video begins with dancers gathered together and swaying in sync as the leading performer makes way for the batucada drummers behind to make their way to the front, all while staying on the beat! The Palestinian dance mixed with the Brazilian-style drums from Chilean heritage depicts a beautiful intermixing of the two cultures during a dire time.

Watch the video here

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What is Dabkeh?

According to UNESCO, Dabkeh is a popular group dance birthed in Palestine. It is performed by 11 dancers and there is no gender restriction as to who is allowed to participate. The dance is performed in public areas and during celebratory events like festivals, weddings or graduations. The dancers typically stand in a semi-circle or a straight line, with their shoulders touching each other to signify cohesion. This dance is a means through which Palestinians express their cultural identity, celebrate each other, and strengthen their social bonds.

Relationship Between Chile and Palestine

Outside of the Middle East, Chile has one of the largest Palestinian diasporas in the world, which has become an undeniable part of the country's culture. It is estimated that over 5,00,000 people from Palestine have made their homes in this Latin American country. 

“Being Chilean Palestinian is unique,” Dalal Marzuca told The Guardian. “I’m not entirely one nor the other, but I know how much what happens in Gaza is affecting me.”