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Jidenna’s “Sufi Woman” And The Power Of The Female Gaze

Mystical. Psychadelic. An exaltation of the female form. These are the words you can use to describe the visuals Jidenna just dropped for his Afro-fusion single, “Sufi Woman”.

 

Directed by Pakistani-Kashmiri-American poet and screenwriter, Fatimah Asghar, the video of Jidenna’s “Sufi Woman” praises the otherworldly beauty of African women.

 

Jidenna's 'Sufi Woman'
Photo: Jason Riker

 

It departs from the typical music video culture of twerks and barely-there outfits. We do not discredit s*xual liberalism and expression. These are still present in the video. It is just interesting to note that the video of “Sufi Woman” does not portray women through the male gaze.

 

Obviously, this ties back to the director being a woman, a coloured one at that. Fatimah Asghar is the writer and co-creator of an Emmy-nominated web series, “Brown Girls”.

 

jidenna
Photo: YouTube

 

That said, you know that when she puts women in front of the camera, she presents them in their highest form; as beautiful, powerful, mystical beings.

 

“Sufi Woman” itself is a song that expresses awe at an enchanting, wise and spiritual woman. Possessing these traits has historically been frowned upon. It has subsequently led to witchcraft accusations, torture and execution.

 

Photo: YouTube

 

However, the misogynistic systems that saw the powerful and mystical woman as diabolical and unnatural have given way to Jidenna’s world in a small but transcendental shop full of beautiful brujas.

 

It truly is amazing to see Jidenna trying to embody diverse cultures, not just his own. This is one of the tracks on his “85 to Africa” album which invokes a metaphorical highway to Africa.

 

On this song, it seems he has made a pitstop and rested with Gypsy women and Sufi sorceresses. This pitstop was surely worth it.

 

Check out the video below:

 

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Tokoni Akosubo

Tokoni is a content writer and screenwriter who is passionate about stories and social issues. When she's not tapping away at her keyboard, she's a committed foodie with an eye for style and interior decor.

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