The double standard of dance: Shaykha versus Sheikh

In Moroccan culture, a striking disparity exists in how similar physical expressions are perceived and labeled depending on gender and context. At weddings, female dancers, known as 'shaykhat,' perform with clear intent: to entertain. Their movements, set to the rhythms of drums and violins, are openly enjoyed by the audience, who offer money as a sign of appreciation for their art.

Conversely, during seasonal gatherings, male spiritual dancers, or 'shuyukh,' engage in movements often described as 'dhikr' (remembrance) or 'jadhba' (ecstasy). Their vigorous shaking and spinning, accompanied by shouts and intense rhythms, are interpreted not merely as dance but as profound spiritual experiences, sometimes even divine encounters. The language used elevates these movements, framing them as blessings or signs of deep spiritual connection.

The author points out the hypocrisy in this cultural framing. While a woman's energetic hip sway at a wedding is simply called dancing, a man's similar bodily agitation in a spiritual context is re-categorized as a sign of divine favor or spiritual fervor. Even sweat, a natural byproduct of exertion, is given a higher status when it drips from a sheikh, interpreted as a sign of spiritual heat or divine presence, whereas a dancer's sweat is just that – sweat.

This double standard extends to the financial aspect. At weddings, money given to shaykhat is a straightforward payment for performance. For shuyukh, however, monetary offerings become alms, donations, or vows, imbued with religious significance and respect. The author notes the irony that men who might condemn the perceived moral laxity of female dancers at weddings often engage in equally vigorous, if not more so, physical expressions themselves in spiritual settings.

The piece concludes by questioning this linguistic and social re-evaluation. The body, it suggests, doesn't inherently differentiate between a wedding dance and a spiritual trance. It is the surrounding narrative and social expectations that assign value and meaning, often to the detriment of women's expressions and to the elevated status of men's, even when the physical actions are remarkably similar.