Native Threads Collective

Men perform a sword dance at a wedding c. 1989 // likely somewhere in the Arabian Peninsula or Levant. Sword dances like this one - often called ardah or razha, depending on the region - have deep roots in Bedouin and Arab tribal culture. They were once part of war rituals, used to build courage before battle, but over time they became a central part of festivals, weddings, and other gatherings.

The men form a circle, dressed in robes and keffiyehs, clapping and chanting while two performers in the center move with curved swords.

This photograph, taken in May 1862 near Beirut 🇱🇧 , depicts a group of Bashi-Bazouks - irregular soldiers who served in the Ottoman army. Known for their distinct dress and lack of formal military training, Bashi-Bazouks were often recruited from various ethnic and tribal groups across the empire and deployed for auxiliary roles, including frontier defense, es**rt duties, and sometimes internal suppression.

Captured during a period of intense European interest in the Ottoman East, this image blends ethnographic curiosity with military documentation. The men’s varied attire - fezzes, turbans, vests, and weapons - reflects the diversity and informality of the Bashi-Bazouk corps. Set against a rocky, terraced landscape typical of Mount Lebanon, the photo offers a glimpse into the complex fabric of 19th-century Ottoman society, where local fighters stood at the intersection of imperial power and regional identity.