Shaykh

Shaykh is a traditional title accorded to a highly educated man trained to sing religious and classical texts, notably the recitation of the Quar¢an. The Mjashayikh also improvise new music. Traditionally, the mjashyikh have sung without accompaniment, but with the strong outside influence of Western instruments--which was perceived as a positive modernizing influence--even mjashayikh have cultivated accompanying ensembles.