Playing in Colours

The Egyptian dance of Tanoura is a variation of Sufi whirling, a form of physical meditation that differs from the stationary form often depicted in popular media. Tanoura also refers to the colourful, vibrant skirt that the dancers wear.

The whirling, as impressive as it is as a performance, is also a deeply personal practice of letting go of one’s ego and desires, while focusing on God and the music, imitating the orbiting planets.

The Egyptian variation of this sacred whirling incorporates colours and playfulness through the use of the Tanoura — a reminder for us to remember the joy of being a part of this beautiful circle of the natural world.

On June 11th, International Day of Play, let go of what holds you back in the symphony of the world’s colours and sounds. Go outside and play.

This award-winning photograph is from the fourth season, “Life in Color”, of the Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) Archive. The Climate Tribe has partnered with HIPA, leveraging the power of photography to inspire global awareness of sustainability and advance climate action.