Riti femminili a Meknes. Il ṭaifūr di Lalla Malika: tre atti con intermezzo

Abstract

Lalla Malika is a female spirit present throughout Morocco, but has a special place in Meknes where she is the “lady queen” of the pantheon of female spirits. In this city the cult devoted to her is particularly important, and special rituals are celebrated in her honor in which women and effeminate men play and dance. For female devotees, Malika represents an ideal model of femininity to which they can aspire. The main rite in which Malika is evoked is ṭaifūr. It involves, in succession, decorating hands and feet with henna and being possessed by Lalla Malika. Ṭaifūr rite constitute an ideal place where restrictions regarding gender roles and appropriate behaviors are temporarily suspended. All participants can express themselves freely, in keeping with their own attitudes and desires.