As President Lee Arrives in a White Mercedes... Why Did Girls in White Shake Their Long Hair Side to Side?

Inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
UAE Band Performs "Crying at Bakdaljae" for First Lady Kim

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is seen entering the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace in the vehicle he is riding on the 18th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

During President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a scene at the entrance of the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace caught attention: women dressed in white, lined up and shaking their long hair, sparking curiosity.

On the morning of the 18th (local time), ahead of the summit, the road leading to the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace was lined with the national flags of Korea and the UAE as President Lee’s white Mercedes approached. The UAE side welcomed President Lee’s first state visit with a 21-gun salute, a parade of camels and horses, an air show by the Air Force demonstration team, and a children’s welcoming group.

Particularly striking was the sight of women in traditional white attire shaking their long hair from side to side. This is a traditional performance called 'Al-Ayyala,' presented to honor distinguished guests. It is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its significant historical value.

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is greeting President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who came out to welcome him at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on the 18th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

The UAE side extended the highest level of hospitality from the very first day of President Lee’s state visit. When President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung arrived at Abu Dhabi Airport, senior UAE officials, including Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority; Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State; Saeed Mubarak Rashid Al Hajeri, Minister of State; and Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Korea, personally greeted the presidential couple.

Additionally, during a luncheon performance on the 18th, the UAE musical ensemble played “Crying Over Bakdaljae” and “The Third Hangang Bridge” for the First Lady.

Regarding this, Presidential Spokesperson Kim Namjoon explained, “The song about Bakdaljae was chosen because it is located in North Chungcheong Province, the First Lady’s hometown,” adding, “As for ‘The Third Hangang Bridge,’ the bridge serves as a significant icon symbolizing the connection between Korea and the UAE, which is why it was selected.”