Magic in North Africa
The hand of Fatima, Amazigh and Gnawa healing, Egyptian heka and Hermetic lore, and the Maghrebi books of magic. 66 entries on EveryJaadu so far.
Places of magic
Thebes 7British Museum 5Abydos 4Memphis 3Saqqara 3Siwa Oasis 3Buto 2Heliopolis 2Luxor 2Amarna 1Avaris 1Behbeit el-Hagar 1Béni Abbès 1Boston Museum of Fine Arts 1Byblos 1Cancho Roano 1Cynopolis 1Djoser's Step Pyramid complex 1El-Lahun 1Ephesus 1Esna 1Essaouira 1Fez 1Ghirza 1Hathor temple 1Kairouan 1Karnak 1Koptos 1Lake Tritonis 1Leiden University Library 1
Rites of the region
The zar possession ceremonyThe Gnawa lilaHenna nightBkhour, the Moroccan fumigationHeka, Egyptian ritual powerThe Book of the DeadAmazigh protective tattoos
Countries
PurposeProtectionHealingSeeing and foretellingLuck and prosperityLove and attractionCursing and harmCleansing and purificationSpeaking with spirits and the deadChange and initiationBinding and oathsPower and authorityWonder and entertainment
WhoShamansFolk healersPriests and ritual specialistsWitches, sorcerers and cunning folkDiviners and readersMediums and the possessedCeremonial magicians and alchemistsHouseholds and ordinary peopleStage magiciansScholars and sceptics
BeliefHindu and TantricBuddhistJainMuslim and SufiJewishChristianSikhZoroastrianShinto and TaoistIndigenous and shamanicAfrican and Afro-diasporicPagan and NeopaganEsoteric and occultFolk and village customSecular and stageOther traditions
🇪🇬 Egypt and 1 moreLilithלִילִית
A feminine figure from Mesopotamian and Jewish mythology, often depicted as a night demon or spirit.Being · Cursing and harm Legendary
🇪🇬 Egypt and 1 moreBehemothבְּהֵמוֹת
A primeval land-monster from the Book of Job and later Jewish legendBeing · Power and authority Legendary
🇪🇬 EgyptDjedi
A fictional magician from the Westcar Papyrus who resurrects animals and foretells a king's lineage.Figure · Seeing and foretelling · Wonder and entertainment Legendary
🇪🇬 EgyptChimeraΧίμαιρα
A fire-breathing hybrid monster from Greek mythology, composed of lion, goat, and snake parts.Figure · Wonder and entertainment Legendary
🇪🇹 EthiopiaCatoblepas
A legendary beast from ancient texts with a heavy head and a lethal gaze or breath.Being · Cursing and harm Legendary
🇪🇬 EgyptAkhekh
A winged desert creature of Egyptian myth linked to chaos and royal powerBeing · Power and authority Legendary
🇪🇬 EgyptSoul Collector
A mythical figure said to gather, guide, or judge the spirits of those who have passed away.Being · Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
🇪🇬 EgyptCelestial Ferryman
An ancient Egyptian god who guides souls and judges sins in the underworld.Being · Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Behemoth: Louis Le Breton, Public domain, source
- Chimera: Lampas Group, Public domain, source
- Catoblepas: Jan Jonston, Public domain, source
- Lilith: Photographs by Ardon Bar Hama, author of original document is unknown., Public domain, source