Cheikha
Cheikha is a feminine title derived from the Arabic word sheikh, traditionally used to denote a respected older woman or leader. The feminine form, cheikha, is used across North Africa to address or honor elder women and, in particular, to denote female authority within families, tribes, and communities. In modern popular culture, the name Cheikha is often adopted as a stage name by female performers in raï and other North African music styles, signaling both gender and regional identity.
In music, Cheikha is closely associated with raï, a popular genre that originated in Algeria and blends
Today, Cheikha remains a culturally significant title in North Africa, reflecting both ancestral respect and the