As-Samer in Jordan
As-Samer is a nice rural and Bedouin Jordanian performing art. The word As-Samer is derived from the root “Samar” which means staying up late in the night before wedding or joyful occasions. Some people even spend seven days celebrating in the nights before weddings.
As-Samer is performed through singing a Bedouin poem with a special pattern sung by a professional performer called. He is accompanied with a group of people standing in a crescent form and at the same time singing and applauding with a systematic wonderful rhythm. As-Samer is an art mainly performed by men even if some women take part in the performance. A woman who is called (Hashi) or (Mahawshieh) performs a main dance carrying a sword in her hand making a very beautiful scene with her professional dancing in particular when she shares the dance with a man performing very elaborate movements. During the dance the man tries to express his strength as a strong man and the Arab women expresses her courage and bravery in defending herself with a sword.
The other women try participate through ululating. The Hashi can be also a man. Sometimes there is more than one Hashi . Sometimes the Hashi is a man disguised as a woman to get people more excited. Reaching and holding of the Hashi can mark the end of As-Samer and the defeat of Al Hashi This dance is sometimes called Mohowshah.
As Samer occupies a prominent position as a singing type among Jordan traditional songs in regard to its great spread in different parts of the country. Its performance may also exceed two hours where the main performer the Qasud exchanges roles with attendees (Muraddidin). The Qasud and the attendees stand attached to each other shoulder to shoulder forming a circular arc. They sway their bodies toward left and right with their hearts filled with ecstasy and joy.
As Samer is performed in both rural and Bedouin weddings, normally at the end of the ceremony late in the night. All attendees whether hosts or guests can take part in the singing and dancing. There are in fact different types of dances. However, most of them are related to popular enthusiastic songs of Jordan in tangible cultural heritage. In some of the very long dances, a long poem like the famous poem “Tur” would be sung by attendees.
