One of our Observers for Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Omran, alerted us to these videos. Watching the first one, you might think that southern Saudis are choreographing dance routines to Michael Jackson classics. Watch the second however, and, disappointingly, things fall into place.

Posted on YouTube by "Talal" on May 31, the video has already been viewed more than 100,000 times in just over two weeks.

Posted May 28 by “zaferhadi”, this is the original video. With 400 hits, it’s far less popular than its jazzier sibling. Ahmed tells us that it’s a men’s folk dance called Ardha, which is practised in the south of the country during festivities.