In Islamic and Middle Eastern folklore the djinn/jinn live in nations, kingdoms, and tribes with rulers. Some of these rulers become legends all their own.
A thread on the djinn queens and the jinniya
A thread on the djinn queens and the jinniya
Bidukh is the daughter of Iblis, the Muslim devil. She is mistress of magic and witchcraft. Those who practice sihr (sorcery) take her for their queen.
She appears on a throne on the water or reclining on sea foam.
She appears on a throne on the water or reclining on sea foam.
She grants her minions the powers to shapeshift, to summon desert storms, to cast love spells, and influence dreams
She is said to have two sister or attendants who usually appear in the graveyard. To seal a pact they demand you lay with them
She is said to have two sister or attendants who usually appear in the graveyard. To seal a pact they demand you lay with them
The queen of the ghuls is Ghola, both a name for a class of djinn and the name of their leader.
Ghuls feast on human flesh in cemeteries and can take on the shape of beautiful women to lure their prey, but their queen appears as a large, squatting old woman
Ghuls feast on human flesh in cemeteries and can take on the shape of beautiful women to lure their prey, but their queen appears as a large, squatting old woman
Though deadly like her minions, if a brave soul were to sneak up on her and manage to drink her breast milk she would take that person as her foster child, guarding them all their life and taking care of their descendants
The milk relationship (rada) is said to be as strong as the blood relationship in Islamic jurisprudence
Another older jinniya is Tabia who causes sudden infant death syndrome and attacks pregnant women. She’s described as having great tusks and coming on an ill wind.
It is said King Solomon forced her to agree to seven covenants
It is said King Solomon forced her to agree to seven covenants
Tabia is sometimes associated with The queen of the Qarinah, succubus-like djinn who cause wet dreams and sleep paralysis
Sometimes called the Mother of Children, talismans are made to protect from her
In Turkey she’s associated with Al Karisi
Sometimes called the Mother of Children, talismans are made to protect from her
In Turkey she’s associated with Al Karisi
The Queen of Sheba, Bilqis is said to have either been a djinn herself or the half djinn daughter of one. Some say she had hooves for feet.
Others claim this was all false accusations
Others claim this was all false accusations
To test if she had hooves, King Solomon fashioned a massive floor mirror. She thought it a pool of water and lifted her skirt to wade through it
Like Solomon, she commanded the djinn. Together they had djinn build the gates of Aden and bound djinn in Palmyra
Like Solomon, she commanded the djinn. Together they had djinn build the gates of Aden and bound djinn in Palmyra
In Morocco, Aicha Qandisha is the queen of the ghul. She appears as a beautiful woman with camel feet and near water.
She lures men to their death, though some have said her origins lay in a real life woman, an anti-colonial resistance fighter who lured the French to their doom
She lures men to their death, though some have said her origins lay in a real life woman, an anti-colonial resistance fighter who lured the French to their doom
There are a whole class of djinn named Aicha found from Morocco to Sudan.
Another Moroccan djinn queen is Lalla Malika, a beautiful woman who can be summoned through dance and song for she loves both.
Like Aicha Qandisha she can be a temptress, but she is benevolent in nature and just likes having a good time. Though she sometimes gets carried away
Like Aicha Qandisha she can be a temptress, but she is benevolent in nature and just likes having a good time. Though she sometimes gets carried away
She is offered henna and candles at her shrine.
She can appear in trance rites where she flirts with men. If she likes you, she will pass her hand over your face and then all you can see is her.
She prefers men who were nice perfume and scents
She can appear in trance rites where she flirts with men. If she likes you, she will pass her hand over your face and then all you can see is her.
She prefers men who were nice perfume and scents
Among the Berber, Lalla Mira is a popular djinn queen. She loves the color yellow and takes henna as offerings. She is a mirthful queen but deeply sensitive to gossip and quickly become inconsolable if she hears you speaking ill of her
Lalla Reyka Bint el Khamar and her sister are benevolent queens who protect children and the home.
On birthdays they are given lamps as offerings
On birthdays they are given lamps as offerings
Another benevolent djinn, Lalla Zouina, has a local shrine where young women hopeful of finding a husband tie small cloths petitioning her for aid.
Some legends says this djinn was a real woman who pinned for her long lost sailor husband
Some legends says this djinn was a real woman who pinned for her long lost sailor husband
Then there is Mimouna who dwells in wells. She is fond of the color blue and is temperamental. She can either give you sustenance or drown you.
She is said to be sister of the djinn king of Saturday
She can appear as a woman near wells with a far off look
She is said to be sister of the djinn king of Saturday
She can appear as a woman near wells with a far off look
In the Persianate world there is Mardzma, a fierce and beautiful desert queen who appears as a terrifying warrior, but if you show no fear she will become your ally.
On the other hand if you run from her she’ll chase you like a fury all your life
On the other hand if you run from her she’ll chase you like a fury all your life
Harajah appears as a beautiful woman exuding such sexual energy that she drives men mad.
And in Egypt, Sitt Safina is a beautiful djinn queen of mermaids, a peaceful being but one who demands to be appeased
And in Egypt, Sitt Safina is a beautiful djinn queen of mermaids, a peaceful being but one who demands to be appeased
The djinn queens and their courts are found far more in popular local folk practices then their djinn king counterparts.
They also have very clear connections with fear and lust
They also have very clear connections with fear and lust
If you want to hear more about the jinn check out @seesomething where I join @radbrowndads to talk about djinn folklore! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see…
Wear* 🤦🏽♂️
