The kaska is performed by a group of men moving in a circle with drums beating a steady rhythm. The movements are choreographed and passed down through families and communities - a young person learns by watching elders and slowly joining in. The swords used are decorative ceremonial items carried as a symbol of elegance and pride.
The drummers are as important as the dancers. Libyan drumming uses several different types of drum, including the tabla (a goblet-shaped drum) and the darbuka, each producing different tones. The drummers improvise around a repeating pattern, building in speed and intensity as the performance goes on.
Kaska performances are a highlight at Libyan weddings, which can last for several days with music, dancing, and feasting. They are also performed at public festivals such as the Sahara Festival, where communities from across Libya and neighbouring countries gather to celebrate shared traditions.
The elaborate costumes worn by kaska performers are themselves works of craft - hand-embroidered robes, finely wrapped turbans, and leather sandals. Making a traditional costume can take many weeks of careful needlework.