Jinn Eviction as a Discourse of Power: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Moroccan Magical Beliefs and Practices - Ingram Academic
An academic study of Moroccan jinn eviction rituals and their relationship to traditional power dynamics.
Focusing on the maraboutic zawiya institution, Mohammed Maarouf analyzes how ritual exorcism functions as a discourse of social authority in Morocco. The work bridges anthropological field research with critical discourse analysis to dissect symbolic healing practices. Maarouf details specific ritual formulas, cursing methods, pilgrimage customs, and the rain-calling ceremony. He also models the unseen world by documenting the mythic court of jinn, detailing its structure, institution, invisible evictions, and concepts of servitude. This scholarly text grounds local magical beliefs inside real political and historical framework.
The book centers on traditional Moroccan society and its maraboutic zawiyas. It draws on local histories of Sharifianism alongside Buffi beliefs regarding jinn, magic, and ritual authority.
📝 Description: Jinn Eviction as a Discourse of Power: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Moroccan Magical Beliefs and Practices - Ingram Academic
📑 What's inside
- Chapter I: Local Histories: Sharifianism and Power
- Chapter II: The Buffi Representation of the World of Jinn
- A. Jinn Attributes, B. Types of Jinn, C. Self vs. Other
- 1. Magic (siḥr), 2. The Evil Eye (l-'ain), 3. The Female Pursuer (tab'a), 4. Harming Jinns unknowingly (al-aghlāṭ m'a al-jinn)
- Chapter III: Jinn Eviction and Other Rituals as Discourses of Power
- A. The Ritual of Pilgrimage (zyara), B. The Ritual of Cursing, C. The Ritual of Jinn Eviction (ṣri'), D. Formulas for Jinn Eviction, E. The Ritual of Call for Rain,
- Chapter IV: The Paradigm of Authority: the Mythic Court of Jinn
- A. Court Design, B. Court Institution, C. Invisible Jinn Eviction, D. The Paradigm of Servitude (khidma)
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Scholars and enthusiasts of Middle Eastern anthropology will find this text indispensable for its rigorous examination of how power operates through spiritual practice. Readers interested in the intersection of faith, healing, and social control will appreciate Maarouf’s nuanced analysis of jinn eviction as a discourse of power. It is ideal for those seeking to understand the subtle ways traditional Moroccan society maintains order and ideology through ritualistic means. The book offers a deep dive into the cultural underpinnings of these practices, making it essential for anyone studying the complex dynamics of belief and authority in North African contexts.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Mohammed Maarouf delivers a dense, scholarly exploration of jinn eviction that demands serious academic engagement. While its multidisciplinary approach offers fresh insights into Moroccan social hierarchies, this is not a casual guide to occultism or folklore. It will likely frustrate readers seeking practical ritual instructions or accessible mystical narratives. The text is strictly for those comfortable with critical discourse analysis and ethnographic theory. Casual observers of the esoteric may find the tone too dry and the focus on power structures less appealing than the spiritual elements, making it a niche resource rather than a broad appeal title.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Are you a student of anthropology, Islamic studies, or the sociology of religion? Do you seek a deeper understanding of North African spiritual practices and their societal implications? This scholarly ethnography offers profound insights into ritual, power, and belief for serious readers.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Exorcism Rituals Decoded
The book meticulously dissects the specific steps, symbolic actions, and ritual components of jinn eviction ceremonies conducted within the zawiya framework. It explores the spiritual and psychological dimensions involved for both practitioners and those seeking healing, revealing a complex tapestry of belief and action. This detailed examination offers an unprecedented look into these sacred rites.
Hierarchy & Control
This study illuminates how the seemingly spiritual act of jinn eviction subtly reinforces existing social stratification and power structures. It examines how traditional authority, particularly within the maraboutic institution, is both expressed and perpetuated through these healing narratives and ritual performances, shaping community dynamics and maintaining established orders.
Deep Cultural Roots
The work traces the ancient cultural foundations underpinning Moroccan magical beliefs and the discourse of power. It connects contemporary jinn eviction practices to enduring cultural narratives and historical influences, demonstrating how these rituals are not isolated events but deeply embedded in the region's spiritual and social fabric, reflecting centuries of tradition.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Jinn
- Zawiya
- Maraboutic
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How might the 'healing symbols and rituals' described in the book reflect broader cultural values or historical narratives within Moroccan society?
- Consider how belief in jinn and their eviction might offer individuals a framework for understanding and coping with personal or societal distress.
- Reflect on how similar 'discourses of power' might manifest in seemingly non-religious rituals or institutions within your own cultural context.
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