The Zaghrouta (Ululation) Symbol in That Can Be Arranged

What Is a Zaghrouta? A Literal Definition

In Chapter 2: Helpful Terms, author Huda Fahmy defines zagharit (singular zaghrouta) as “celebratory ululations, usually high-pitched and shrill (the more shrill the better).” Ululation is a long, wavering, trilling sound produced by rapidly moving the tongue while shouting. Across many Arab and Muslim cultures, women perform the zaghrouta at weddings, births, and other joyous occasions as a vocal expression of celebration. In the context of an Islamic wedding, it typically marks the bride’s entrance and the signing of the marriage contract, signaling communal joy and approval.

Where the Zaghrouta Appears in the Memoir

The zaghrouta appears only once in the story’s events, but it carries significant weight. In Chapter 11: The Kitab and Walima, Huda describes her kitab (the religious ceremony where the marriage contract is signed). She explains that “usually, the ‘shy, demure bride’ would make a grand entrance to the sound of loud and shrill ululations (or zagharit) by every lady who knew how.” In other words, cultural tradition expects the bride to enter silently while the female guests perform the zaghrouta for her.

Huda subverts this expectation: “But not me. Much to the embarrassment of my mother, I walked in doing my own zaghrouta.” Later, after she and Gehad sign the contract, the text notes “(cue more zagharit),” implying that the other women join in after her bold entrance.

How the Meaning of the Zaghrouta Shifts

In its traditional role, the zaghrouta functions as a collective, anonymous greeting offered to the bride. The bride receptively occupies a passive, demure position—she is the object of celebration rather than an active participant in the sound-making. Huda’s innovation is to seize the zaghrouta for herself, transforming it from a gift given by others into a declaration made by the bride. The act becomes a symbol of joyful defiance: she refuses the demure archetype and loudly announces her own happiness on her own terms.

The meaning also shifts from a cultural script (women praise the bride) to a personal statement (the bride praises her own moment). By making the zaghrouta her own, Huda signals that she is not merely following tradition but actively shaping it. Her mother’s embarrassment highlights the breach of decorum: the zaghrouta was supposed to come from the guests, not from the bride herself. Yet Huda’s unapologetic joy overrides the social pressure to appear shy.

Character Connections

Huda Fahmy

The zaghrouta is a direct extension of Huda’s personality as portrayed throughout the memoir. From the opening chapters, Huda is opinionated, self-aware, and willing to question norms—whether she’s explaining hijab practices (Chapter 1: Dear Reader) or deciding she’d rather stay single than endure a miserable marriage (Chapter 3: The Rules). The zaghrouta moment crystallizes her refusal to be a passive participant in her own life. She does not wait for others to celebrate her; she celebrates herself, mirroring the self-worth she cultivated after turning down a stalker suitor and focusing on her own growth (Chapter 7: Qadr (Destiny)).

Huda’s Mother

Huda’s mother represents the voice of cultural expectation. She planned the entire kitab and presumably expected her daughter to follow the traditional script. Huda notes that her entrance caused her mother “embarrassment,” yet the mother does not stop her. This small conflict illuminates the theme of family and community expectations: the younger generation may adapt traditions while still honoring them in spirit. Huda’s mother may have been embarrassed, but she allowed the moment to happen, and the celebration continued.

Gehad

Although Gehad is not directly involved in the zaghrouta sound (the men are in a separate hall), his presence is essential context. Huda’s confidence at the kitab stems from knowing she has found a partner who is “worth waiting for” (Chapter 11). The zaghrouta thus also ties to the theme of trust in divine destiny (qadr): Huda trusts that her marriage is divinely ordained, which frees her to express unrestrained joy.

Theme Connections

Arranged Versus Forced Marriage: The zaghrouta underscores that Huda’s marriage is chosen and joyfully embraced. She actively participates in the ceremony, contradicting the misconception that arranged marriages are coerced. Her loud entrance is an assertion of agency within the arranged-marriage framework, a distinction Huda carefully draws in Chapter 1.
Self-Worth Beyond Marriage: Even at the moment of marriage, Huda does not lose her individuality. The zaghrouta signals that her self-worth is not derived from becoming a bride but rather from the person she already is. This aligns with the self-worth beyond marriage theme, which grows from her earlier realization that she would rather be single than in a bad relationship.
Family and Community Expectations: Huda’s mother’s embarrassment shows the tension between individual expression and community norms. Yet the zaghrouta does not disrupt the ceremony; it becomes a memorable highlight. The community joins in the ululations after Huda starts, indicating that creativity can coexist with tradition.
Chaperoned Courtship and Modern Tradition: Throughout the book, Huda navigates modern dating rituals (emails, chaperoned calls) within Islamic guidelines. The zaghrouta is another example of blending tradition with personal style: she keeps the traditional sound but changes who makes it. This reflects the broader theme of chaperoned courtship and modern tradition, where ancient practices are adapted to contemporary personalities.

Study Questions and Answers

What is a zaghrouta, and how is it traditionally performed at Islamic weddings?
Answer: A zaghrouta is a high-pitched, shrill ululation made by women to celebrate joyful occasions. At a kitab ceremony, it is traditionally performed by the female guests as the bride makes a shy, demure entrance. The bride herself does not produce the sound; she is the passive recipient of the celebration.
How does Huda’s use of the zaghrouta differ from the cultural expectation, and what does this difference reveal about her character?
Answer: Instead of letting the guests perform the ululation for her, Huda walks in doing her own zaghrouta, surprising her mother and breaking the demure script. This shows that she is confident, unapologetic, and willing to defy expectations in order to express genuine joy. It aligns with her earlier refusal to mold herself for others’ approval.
What is the significance of Huda’s mother’s embarrassment in this scene?
Answer: The mother’s embarrassment highlights the social pressure to conform to traditional modesty. Huda’s action is not wrong or disrespectful—it is merely unexpected. The mother’s reaction shows that even within a loving family, cultural norms can create tension. Yet the ceremony proceeds smoothly, suggesting that innovation does not have to break familial bonds.
How does the zaghrouta symbol connect to broader themes in the memoir?
Answer: The zaghrouta ties together several themes: it affirms that arranged marriage can be a joyful, chosen union (arranged vs. forced marriage); it demonstrates that Huda’s self-worth comes from within, not from being a bride (self-worth beyond marriage); it illustrates the negotiation between individual expression and family expectations; and it shows how traditional practices can be adapted to reflect personal authenticity (chaperoned courtship and modern tradition).

Conclusion

The zaghrouta in That Can Be Arranged is a small but potent symbol. It takes a single moment—a bride’s entrance—and transforms it into a statement of identity. Huda Fahmy uses the familiar sound of celebration to announce that she is an active, joyful agent in her own story, not a silent ornament in someone else’s ceremony. For readers, the zaghrouta serves as a memorable emblem of the memoir’s larger message: that faith, family, and tradition can be honored while still celebrating the unique voice of the individual.