Mythology

Bedouin mythology comprises the ancient beliefs and mythologies of the ancient desert dwellers or Shepherds prior to Islam. Many areas in the desert, was covered in symbols and standing stones representing the myriad demons, djinn, demigods and other creatures which was part of the desert environment and reality to the bedouin mind. Stories of supernatural beings, genies, ghouls, talking animals, three headed half man half djinn, and other works that have been passed down through the generations. The Bedouins explained any negative phenomena significantly affecting their lives by intervention of the desert bad spirits of certain supernatural beings. They are: _ Marid are often described as the most powerful type of djinn, having especially great powers. They are the most arrogant and proud as well. _ Ifrit is a class of underworld jinn, spirits with the level of devils, noted for their foxiness and cunning. An ifrit is an creature of fire, who lives underground and frequents ruins. The ifrit is most often depicted as a wicked and ruthless being. * The Story of the Giant Horse and Djinn _ Jinn is a supernatural creature which possesses free will, and can be either good or evil. They are either male or female, who lives in isolated areas of the desert. They live in a society structured, complete with kings, tribes, and clans. They generally marry one another, but they can also marry humans. The Jinn is most often depicted as evil jand can lead humans astray, and thus the name Jinn from the arabic world “going astray” * The Story Of Antar Bin Shaddad As Told By The Bedoiuns Of Wadi Rum
Other supernatural beings are not spirits but monsters, like the Ghoul, which is a desert waste lands, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. And the Hanash is a big snake or serpent that gives away location on hidden treasures during sleep time.

"Irem is very important to Arab magic. 'Irem al Imad' (Irem of the Pillars) is the city's name in Arabic. It is particularly believed by the Arabs that Irem was built by the Jinn under the direction of Shaddad, Lord of the tribe of Ad. The tribe of Ad, according to legend, was a race roughly equivalent to the Hebrew 'Nephilim' (giants). In some versions of this myth Shaddad and the Jinn built Irem before the time of Adam. The Muqarribun (Arab magicians) have important beliefs about Irem and its significance. The Muqarribun, whose traditions predate Islam, believe that Irem is a locale on another level of reality, rather than a physical city like NY or Tokyo. The 'Pillars' in 'Irem of the Pillars' has a hidden meaning. Among Arab mystics pillar is a code name for 'elder' or 'old one'. Thus 'Irem of the Pillars' is really 'Irem of the Old Ones'."

"In Arab legend Irem is located in the Rub al Khali...To the Muqarribun, the Rub al Khali also has a 'hidden' meaning (incidentally the art of encoding and decoding 'hidden' meanings in Arab mystical or magical writing is called Tawil). Rub al Khali translates as 'the empty Quarter'. In this case empty refers to the VOID and is the same as AIN in the Cabalistic traditions. Rub al Khali is the 'secret' door to the Void in Arab magical traditions. It is the exact Arab equivalent to DAATH in the Kabbalah. To the Muqarribun the Rub al Khali is the secret gate (Daath) to the Void (Ain) in which is the 'city of the Old Ones'."

"The 'Rub al Khali' (not the physical desert, but the Arab equivalent of Daath) was entered in an altered state of consciousness (some where between dreams and the complete absence of thought) by the Muqarribun. Irem represents that part of the "Empty Quarter" that acts as the connection to the Void. It is from this place (Irem) that the communion with the Void and that which inhabits it can happen. The 'monsters of death' and protective spirits...are the Jinn. The Muqarribun can interact with these entities when he is in the 'Rub al Khali' or 'Irem'. When the Muqarribun passes through Irem to the Void he achieves Annihilation (fana). Annihilation is the supreme attainment in Sufi and Muqarribun mysticism. During Annihilation the magician's entire being is devoured and absorbed into the Void. The self or 'soul' (nafs i ammara/) is utterly and completely destroyed by this process. This is probably the sources of stories regarding the soul eating demons (associated with Irem) in Arab legend.''- Parker Ryan, "The Necronomicon and Ancient Arab Magic"

Wadi Rum believed to be Irem by the bedouins.

The Merkab ''Al Hawdaj''

The tribe of the Rwala, who live in the eastern part of the Jordanian desert, and whose tribal territory extends into the Syrian desert and the Iraqi desert, keep until today a sacred Hawdaj which they sometimes call Utfah or Abou Dhour or Merkab. The Hawdaj is a seat carried on the back of a camel, also referred to as Merkab meaning conveyance ''vehicle''. It looked like a four-post bed made of wood, with thick curtains. This hawdaj is rectangular, measuring 2.75 meters in length, half a metre in breadth at the bottom and 70 cm at the top, and two meters in height. It is made of interlaced staves of wood, but it is different from other such contraptions in that it is lined with black ostrich feathers. Believed to possess supernatural powers, which give the tribe victory over their enemies. The Merkab is kept by the prince of the Rwalah, and only used in times of great distress.

The Hawdaj is also used in battle as a banner for the tribe, since the sheikh (tribal leader) would put one of his virgin daughters in the hawdaj, which would be placed atop a white camel. The sheikh would then gather the women of the tribe around this camel, and invite the men of the tribe to protect the honour of their women, or die in the attempt. While the battle raged, women ululated to keep up the courage of their men.

Hence the tradition of using a woman's name as the battle cry for Bedouin tribes, since the men would charge to battle shouting "I am the brother of ..." naming the virgin in the hawdaj. In case of a particularly glorious victory, the name of the girl would live on beyond the battle, and the men of the tribe would come to be known forever as the brothers of that girl.

Bedouins still rely on the Howdaj guidance to the green grazing grounds. The Ark of the Covenant is considered to be more of a Howdaj for the tribes' guidance, not only to their grazing grounds, but also for their decision-making, and their tapping into the spirit within.. The Howdaj is also called by the bedouins the Ark of Ismael; it contains relics and symbols of the Ashera, "the tribal confederation".

*Written by Rami Sajdi, Copyright © Rami Sajdi All Rights Reserved
updated March 2011

Home

Bedouin Mythology