In Front of President Lee: Women Let Down Their Long Hair and Swing It—What Happened?

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), received the highest level of hospitality, including a traditional ceremony where women swing their long hair. After their summit, the leaders of both countries adopted a Joint Declaration, pledging to advance their relationship as 'partners for the next century.'
On the 18th (local time), national flags of both countries lined the road as President Lee’s motorcade approached the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace. The UAE welcomed President Lee’s first state visit with a 21-gun salute, a procession of camels and horses, an air show by the Air Force demonstration team, and a children’s welcoming group.


During the official welcoming ceremony, traditional UAE music played as the honor guard greeted President Lee, waving swords. Local women, dressed in white traditional attire and without hijabs, let their long hair down and swung it from side to side.
This is a traditional ritual called 'Al-Ayyala,' practiced in the UAE and Oman. It is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The ceremony features women swinging their hair to traditional music, while men perform movements with bamboo sticks.
The UAE’s warm hospitality began from the first day of President Lee’s state visit. When President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung arrived at Abu Dhabi Airport, numerous high-ranking UAE officials, including Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, personally greeted them.


At the luncheon performance on the 18th, the UAE military band played 'Crossing the Bakdaljae Pass in Tears' and 'The 3rd Han River Bridge' for First Lady Kim.
Kim Nam-joon, spokesperson for the presidential office, explained that 'Crossing the Bakdaljae Pass in Tears' was chosen in consideration of First Lady Kim’s hometown in North Chungcheong Province, while 'The 3rd Han River Bridge' was selected for its symbolic meaning of bridges in the bilateral relationship, according to the UAE side.
Earlier, in his opening remarks at the summit, President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) recalled how his late father, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had chosen a Korean company to build the bridge connecting Abu Dhabi to the mainland. He remarked, 'Just as that bridge connected Abu Dhabi to the mainland, now there are many bridges connecting our two countries.'
On this day, President Lee Jae-myung and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) held a summit at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace and adopted a Joint Declaration.
Spokesperson Kim stated that the two leaders agreed to announce a Joint Declaration titled 'A New Leap Forward for a Century-Long Partnership between Korea and the UAE.' The declaration reflects their commitment to developing bilateral relations in an irreversible and permanent manner.
The declaration reportedly includes measures for cooperation in various industries, such as exploring joint entry into the global nuclear power plant (NPP) market, establishing and operating AI Data Centers, and joint development and local production in the fields of national defense and the defense industry.
Meanwhile, this welcoming ceremony has been held for other leaders in the past. The UAE also showcased the 'Al-Ayyala' ritual during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump last May, and in 2018, when former President Moon Jae-in visited, a performance was held without the participation of girls.



[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter