Some Notes on Spirit Possession and Islam
The Arabist: Budapest Studies in Arabic 2001 DOI: 10.58513/arabist.2001.23.19 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that spirit possession cults in the Arab world exhibit a syncretistic blend of Islamic and African elements, characterized by a named spirit pantheon, specific gender patterns, the seasonal confinement of spirits, and the incorporation of Islamic symbols into rituals. |
Abstract
This essay explores the phenomenon of cultic activities based on the notion of spirit possession in the Arab world, and the long-standing association of such ideas with Sub-Saharan Africa. It discusses certain key aspects of the syncretistic interplay of Islamic and African cultural elements in these cults, especially the idea of a well-defined pantheon of named spirits, the peculiar gender patterns observable within the cults, the belief that spirits are confined in a distant place during the fasting month, as well as the conscious inclusion of a variety of highly visible symbolic markers of Islamic belief and identity in the rituals.