In a razha performance, two lines of men face each other. One side recites poetry or chants, and the other responds. As they chant, they sway and step in formation, waving their swords or rifles in graceful arcs above their heads. The movements are precise and practised, passed from generation to generation.
The swords used in razha are called khanjar-style swords — ceremonial blades that are beautifully decorated and worn as symbols of Omani identity and pride. They are not used as weapons but as part of the cultural expression of the dance. Wearing traditional dress and carrying a khanjar is considered a mark of great respect.
The chanting in razha is often improvised — poets make up verses on the spot in response to what the other side says, which requires great skill with language. This call-and-response structure is found in music and performance traditions all over the world, from African drumming to playground clapping games.
UNESCO has recognised Omani traditional arts, including these performance forms, as important parts of intangible cultural heritage — meaning they are not buildings or objects but living traditions that exist only as long as people keep practising and passing them on.