Arabic word of the week: 'Sikka', the narrow alleyways that tell stories of UAE heritage

Sikka is an Arabic term that refers to narrow alleyways found in older neighbourhoods throughout the UAE. These winding passageways once formed a crucial part of community life, connecting houses and leading to markets and mosques. The singular form is "sikka," while the plural is "sikak," with a similar term "sikeek" occasionally heard in Gulf dialects.

In traditional Emirati culture, the sikka served as a shared public space where neighbours interacted, children played, and community activities unfolded. Beyond a physical passage, sikka carries metaphorical meanings in Arabic music, cinema, and literature. It symbolizes life's journey, separation, and the distance between loved ones. For instance, the 1982 song "Sikkat Safar" by Kuwaiti singer Nabeel Shuail and the 1987 Egyptian film "Sikkat Safar" both use the term to depict journeys marked by hardship and longing.

The expression's relevance extends to the physical landscape of the Arabian Gulf, where before modern roads, these narrow passageways formed essential networks between closely built houses. Their winding layouts provided both access and privacy, with high surrounding walls offering shade and protection against the scorching heat.

These elements are still evident in Dubai's Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, an area now known for its annual Sikka Art and Design Festival, which was named after the original location in Al Fahidi.

Through both literal and figurative interpretations, sikka encapsulates a universal human experience—the passage of life and the stories carried by the journeys we undertake.