Palestinians Reflect on Dabke & Cultural Appropriation

Dabke, which derives from the Arabic word for "stomping the ground" is a dance native to the Arab peoples of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. For Palestinians, the dance often bears political significance and is a means of cultural resistance. Through song and stomp, Palestinians across the world articulate their dreams of liberation. Israelis have appropriated the dance and claimed it as their own. Palestinians are speaking up about what Dabke means to them and what it feels like to face cultural appropriation.