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Islam / Popular religion /
Sidi
In North Africa, in particular Morocco, within popular Islam, the veneration of a male saint. The veneration is quite similar between the two religions, and the most common form of veneration involves a specific shrine, in the form of a domed building containing artefacts related to the saint. To the shrine there are specific rituals enacted out upon vising and/or during specific annual or multi-annual rituals attracting visitors from the local community, and in some cases from far away. Every shrine is known for specific qualities and powers.
The female equivalent to a Sidi, is Lalla. There are no distinct differences between a Lalla and a Sidi; what exist of differences are individual and rarely related to the sex of the saint.
The origins of a Sidi varies, in some cases a Sidi cult predates Islam, and has been redressed in an Islamic cloak. In other cases, a Sidi was very much an historical man, belonging to Islam, known for specific qualities and/or piety.
Whereas Lalla was used in both Islam and Judaism, Sidi was only used in Islam; the Jewish equivalent was "Rabbi".
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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