Shakira’s Viral Tongue Moment at the Super Bowl Actually Has a Sincere Meaning

The moment in question is called a zaghrouta and is an ode to Shakira’s Lebanese roots.

Last night’s Super Bowl halftime performance from Jennifer Lopez and Shakira was full of unforgettable moments, including guest appearances from J Balvin and Bad Bunny, and a surprise pole dancing routine from Lopez. One of the night’s most talked-about moments, however, involved Shakira, her tongue, and a gleeful vocal cry.

In the midst of performing her megahit “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira turned to a Super Bowl camera and let out a high-pitched warble while flicking her tongue, instantly inspiring a slew of memes. In case you missed it, relive the moment below. Since last night, this single clip of Shakira’s ululation has racked up more than 16 million views, and counting.

The head-turning moment, of course, encouraged a healthy dose of Twitter reactions, not limited to the ones showcased below.

While the move confused more than a few viewers watching at home, some Twitter users were quick to point out that the motion was an ode to a traditional Arabic expression of joy, called a zaghrouta.

According to The Washington Post, the call has a “‘long-standing cultural presence’ in countries such as Syria, Jordan and Lebanon,” and is also referenced during the Carnaval de Barranquilla, which takes place in Shakira’s hometown in Colombia. Shakira—born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll—is half Lebanese and has showcased bits of that side of her ethnicity in her music, performance, and costumes throughout her career.

If anything, Shakira’s zaghrouta was another subtle yet sincere moment meant to honor her and Lopez’s respective cultures throughout the night. Aside from the zaghrouta, Shakira also belly danced and performed traditional Colombian footwork during her time onstage, while Lopez performed a salsa number and donned a feather Puerto Rican flag cape.

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