Published 2016-10-01
Keywords
- magic in Islam,
- Hausa,
- tsibbu,
- sha rubutu,
- magical squares
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to examine religious and magical customs widely spread in Northern Nigeria. The most popular is the practice of sha rubutu (literally, the drinking of the written) which is also found in other Islamic countries. It can be regarded as an essential part of the magical corpus of Islam. Both sha rubutu and other magical occupations like the production of charms or protective medicine are based on the belief that some verses and chapters of the Koran are especially powerful and can cure illness, as well as heal injuries.