Al-Ashouri is a traditional art form known in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf region, with its origins subject to debate. Some trace its roots to sailors who would chant this type of art during pearl diving expeditions, while others attribute it to celebratory performances performed by women at weddings, particularly during the slow walk of the bride to the groom’s house. Over time, Al-Ashouri has evolved, and each country in the Gulf has developed its own unique way of performing it.

The performance typically involves a series of special poems and is accompanied by a distinctive dance in which more than 30 people stand in two facing rows, moving from side to side. It closely resembles the art of Al-‘Ardah. The performance begins with the poet singing, and then the other rows respond to him. The poems recited in Al-Ashouri often focus on themes of love and romance. The rhythm is maintained through the beating of tambourines and the drumming, which is used to announce and celebrate the approaching arrival of the groom to the bride’s home.