Qatar is an Arab country located in the Middle East. Its culture is based on Bedouin poetry, song and dance. Traditional dances in Doha are performed on Friday afternoons; one such dance is the Ardah , a stylized martial dance performed by two rows of dancers who are accompanied by an array of percussion instruments, including al-ras (a large drum), tambourine and cymbals, along with small drums. Other instruments played in Qatar incllude the oud and rebaba , both string instruments, as well as the Arabian flute .

The Qatari Gulf Folklore Center is one of the preeminent centers for the study of the folk music of the Persian Gulf.