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Islam / Popular religion /
Lalla
In North Africa, in particular Morocco, within both popular Islam and Judaism, the veneration of a female 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 male equivalent to a Lalla, is Sidi. There are no distinct differences between a Sidi and a Lalla; what exist of differences are individual and rarely related to the sex of the saint.
The origins of a Lalla varies, in some cases a Lalla cult predates Islam, and has been redressed in an Islamic cloak. In other cases, a Lalla was very much an historical women, belonging to Islam or Judaism, known for specific qualities and/or piety.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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