Sigah - سيكاه

Maqam Sigah (Sikah), from the Persian for "third place", is applied when there are special Torah readings. This maqam is usually used for the weekday prayers as well as the Syrian way of chanting the Torah with the cantillations. This maqam is also used on the first days of the Shalosh Regalim (holidays) and perashiot relating to Menorah, Kohanim, and the building of the mishkan. In addition to that, there is an entire selection of pizmonim that are related to Purim that come from this Maqam, and that is why this maqam is used the Shabbat prior to Purim (Shabbat Zachor). According to Prof. Idelsohn, Sigah denotes majesty, pomp, ceremony (as conducted by the Kohanim). Sigah is used for the following Shabbats and for the following reasons: Miqes is always the Shabbat during Hannukah- a holiday that is associated with the Menorah. Tesave discusses the clothing and ornaments of the Kohen HaGadol in the mishkan. Emor discusses the laws pertaining to the Kohanim, as well as the laws of the holidays. Behaalotekha mentions the Menorah in the beginning of the perasha. Ki Tabo discusses the reading of the Torah when entering the new land. Other maqamot in the Sigah family are: Oj, Iraq, Huzam, and Sigah Baladi.

 Sigah trichord: starting on E