Palestinian Dabkeh Workshop

All are welcome to express solidarity and practice resistance through cultural expression at our Palestinian Dabkeh workshop hosted by the Palestinian Community of Western Australia (PCWA).

What’s Happening?

شو البرنامج؟

This workshop led by dance teacher Michelle, co-designed with members of the Palestinian community. This will be a safe space to learn the foundations of Palestinian dabkeh, connect with community, and experience the enduring rhythm of Palestinian culture.

The PCWA Palestinian Dabkeh Workshop will run for approximately 90 minutes in West Perth on Friday evening, 19th December.

Event Schedule

برنامج الفعالية

🕝 5:00 PM – Registration and Craft Market with FreeSoul Artisan and Henna Design
🗣️ 6:00 PM – Dabkeh Workshop
🧘 8:00 PM – Light meal

If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Lana 0419 520 941.

Who’s Invited?

مين المدعوّين؟

Everyone in the Palestinian community and the wider Western Australian community is warmly welcomed to participate. Dabkeh workshop participants must be aged 12+.

Children must be supervised by parents at all times.

What should I wear?

Please wear supportive shoes and clothes that you are comfortable to move around in.

Limited places available – Get tickets early

التذاكر محدودة – احجزوا بدري

Spaces are limited, and we’d love to have you with us, so be sure to get tickets now.

Good to know

معلومات عالماشي

Some information to help you prepare for the 2025 PCWA Dabkeh workshop:

❤️ Our Values: Respect, Palestinian Pride, and Community Unity are at the heart of everything we do.

🗣️ Bilingual Delivery: PCWA events are delivered in both English and Arabic to ensure everyone feels included.

🍽️ Food & Refreshments: Sharing food together is the lifeblood of Palestine. All our gatherings include snacks or a meal, depending on the time and format of the event.

✅ Qualified Organisers: Our team includes individuals with qualifications and experience in Working with Children, first aid, and trauma-informed care, to ensure a safe and welcoming space for all.

Learn more about Palestinian Dabkeh

Inscribed by UNESCO in 2023 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Dabkeh is a cultural group folk dance in Palestine. Dancers stand in a straight line or semicircle, clasping hands and shoulders to indicate cohesion. The movements involve jumping and hitting the ground with their feet. Dabkeh is performed by professional groups, spontaneously in public squares and family yards. Most Palestinians know the dabkeh dance and practise it as a means of sharing their joy with family, friends and neighbours. Dabkeh is also a form of resistance. The lyrics of accompanying folk songs express courage, resilience, strength, and love. Dabkeh and the accompanying arts and crafts are transmitted informally, through one-on-one learning and training. Youth learn by participating in social celebrations where dabkeh is performed and by imitating adults. The practice is also transmitted through social activities, in schools and universities. Dabkeh is a means of expressing cultural identity, celebrating family occasions and increasing social ties.

Useful links:

https://www.el-funoun.org

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2024/5/28/dabke-dance-troupe-brings-relief-to-gazas-war-weary-children

https://www.albustanseeds.org/news/dabkeinthediaspora-c4lc7-a2j3l-lz4wl-ym9cd-bcrdy-h3wwp

“Embedded within the heart and soul of the Palestinian people, the dabke – an ancient folkloric dance native to the Levant – transcends mere artistic expression, serving as a resolute act of defiance against the Zionist state's occupation. With each rhythmic stomp and synchronised movement, Palestinians reclaim their cultural identity, defiantly asserting their existence and resilience in the face of systemic oppression.”
- SceneNow, “Dance of Defiance: Dabke as an Emblem of Resilience in Palestine” (2024)

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge that this workshop will be held on the lands of the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wadjuk People of the Noongar Nation, and recognise that we live and work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. This land was never ceded—it always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We honour Elders past and present, acknowledging their role as custodians of these lands. We recognise the dispossession and ongoing harm caused by colonisation and are inspired by the fight for recognition, rights, culture, and self-determination. We pledge to support and stand alongside their work.

Contact the host of Palestinian Dabkeh Workshop 19th Dec 2025 SOLD OUT - Henna Tickets Only