Popular Beliefs, Spiritual Beings, and Social Control: An Anthropological Study in Mediterranean Societies (المعتقدات الشعبية والكائنات الروحية والضبط الاجتماعي: دراسة أنثروبولوجية في مجتمعات البحر المتوسط)

Folk beliefs in spiritual entities – “jinns”, “demons”, and “saints” – spread among the peoples of the Mediterranean, e.g. in the societies of Egypt and Morocco alike. Spiritual entities and their associated beliefs hold significant importance in this field. They stem from religious origins and then transform in people’s minds into new forms through myths, fantasy, and sensory imagination. This study illustrates the societal beliefs and people’s strong beliefs in healers in Morocco and Egypt, whose treatments may sometimes exceed modern medical means in effectiveness.

The study reveals that popular beliefs are deeply connected to the cultural fabric of society, particularly regarding spiritual entities and how society deals with them. Belief in jinn and spirits and how these beliefs shaped the societal worldview differs between Egypt and Morocco. Egyptian society views these entities as negative beings requiring their removal from the earth (through rituals or exorcism). On the other hand, in Moroccan society, they are considered neutral spiritual entities inhabiting places or influencing individuals due to specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the study highlights the reliance of society on spiritual healers as an essential alternative to modern treatment methods. For instance, jinns are considered to cause various illnesses that are challenging to explain medically, such as psychological disturbances or chronic diseases. This belief often intertwines with societal attitudes toward disease and healing, creating a unique understanding of health and spirituality in Mediterranean cultures.