Hakaya

Hakaya in Arabic Language means folkloric tales. Hakaya members chose this name to represent themselves as a Palestinian folk dancing and singing group. Through the movements and the songs stories are told. These stories represent the Palestinian's life style from an ancient time until now.

Dabka is the traditional dancing style of Palestinians people, danced at celebrations and festivals.

From the early beginning on Ghirass Cultural Center, the focus has been on Palestinian folklore. The uniforms, songs, music and movements come from the Palestinian heritage that Ghirass works hard to preserve. This focus is due to Ghirass point of view that folklore is important in the process of the Palestinian nation-building.
Traditional Palestinian folk (singing and dancing) is used for both amateur social settings as well as stage performance. Students learn the steps by names, the corresponding rhythms, the leadership roles and attitudes.

Hundreds of children have graduated from Ghirass Center's Debka courses. The Debka group, which performs frequently, started as well as a result of the early courses.
Since 2000 the debka group has been trained by the first and the second generations of children who were members in the earlier debka groups.
Hakaya includes in the year 2007 (as usual) three groups with the same name, Hakaya

- Hakaya for the elder children, between 14 to 16 years old. There are 14 members, boys and girls. These children represent the fourth generation of the children in Ghirass.
- Hakaya for younger children, boys and girls, their age is 10-13 years old. They represent the fifth generation.

- Hakaya singing group, they are girls at age 10-14 years old

Hakaya groups took part in many local festivals and occasions. They made many visits to different countries through the cultural exchange program such as England 1998, 1999 to Norway, 2000 to France, 2001 to Norway, 2002 to England, 2003 to Norway, 2005 to England, and 2006 to Norway.
Hakaya groups are considered among the best in Bethlehem area, they are highly professional, and have been rated number one in many national and local competitions. Hakaya group's traditional dresses displays traditional dresses for Bethlehem area.

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES

  • Walajah Festival 1996
  • Irtas Festival 1996
  • Al-Nabee Saleh Festival 1996 &1997
  • Returning Right Festival 1997
  • Tarqumia Festival 1997
  • Presenting nine shows in British cities 1998
  • Presenting five shows in Norway in 1999
  • Presenting annual shows in Festivals in the International and the Palestinian Child Day
  • Winning the first prize in the Folkloric heritage Contest which was held by the
  • Cultural Ministry on the national local 7 th September , 1999
  • Remember the Innocents Festival in 2000
  • Farah and Marah Festival in the Palestinian Child Day in 5 th April from 1998-2006
  • Sharing in international festivals in France 2000
  • Cultural Tour in Norway 2001
  • Cultural Tour in England 2002
  • Cultural Tour in Norway 2003
  • Cultural Tour in England 2005
  • Cultural Tour in Norway 2006
  • Cultural Tour in England 2007
  • Sharing in many other local festivals in Palestine

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