Dance troupe IBDAA
In its tenth year, the Ibdaa dance troupe has established itself as one of the most prominent Palestinian folkloric dance troupes and is internationally-recognized as a cultural ambassador of Palestine. The group has performed in numerous festivals and events in Palestine and has traveled 26 times to countries in Europe, North America and the Middle East. In the summer of 2003, the Ibdaa dance troupe divided into three groups and performed in three different countries at the same time.
Through traditional folkloric dance and theatrical choreography, the troupe performs three shows depicting Palestinian refugees’ history and aspirations. Al Khaima (the Tent, 40 minutes) depicts the life of the Palestinian refugee before 1948, during the Nakba, up until the recent intifada. Al Wasiya (the Will, 45 minutes) explores the life of the refugee in different historic stages, through the Palestinian ancestors giving their will to the next generations to hold on to their love of the land. Mu’takhal (Political Prisoner, 15 minutes) shows the tragedy of the political prisoner, tying it into the current political suffering of the Palestinian people. The Ibdaa dance troupe has just begun to produce a new show called Al Mufta (the Key) about the Palestinian refugees’ right of return.
Ibdaa has produced three generations of dance groups through a continuous learning process conducted entirely by the youths themselves. Each generation of dancers trains its successors. With 46 dancers, the second and third generations are currently preparing 60 youth to be the fourth generation.