It's on Peace and Prosperity Square that I watch them -- the Saudi dancers. Because the Moussem de Tan Tan is not just for Moroccans; nomads, Bedouins and distinguished guests from countries north, south and far afield have been invited.
The dancers move with precision and unerring discipline. They stamp their feet in perfect unison. There’s a bang on the drum...
and a flash of color.
Their voices rise in a kind of symmetrical chant.
Then they hold their sabers upright.
One dancer adjusts his saber so it can be just so.
But no one goes astray. No one.
It's all strangely hynotic.
What is this dance, I ask.
It’s the Dance of Warriors, I’m told.
Oh, I say, nodding my head.
There are no women in this Saudi dance of warriors.
And so the men dance their dance of warriors. Dancing and dancing...
on Peace and Prosperity Square.
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