SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS
Superstition had been an
outstanding component of the Maldivian culture and it was so
in Maradhu island as well. This is for the most part due to
the very nature of the islands and its society. However with
the introduction of modern medicine and rapid evolution of
the social development towards globalization has left many
people of this belief in doubt and seems to be fading away
from the society very fast.
In an island society,
isolated from the rest of the world by vast seas,
superstition and superstitious beliefs could play a vital
role in the day-to-day life of its inhabitants.
For Maldivians, belief in the
supernatural had, in the past, provided solutions for the
most basic problems of survival.
FANDITHA
& SIHURU
Fanditha is a generic term
used to define certain traditional medical practices, magic
and some astrological applications. It is curative and/or
preventive. Today fanditha is most commonly used to bring
good luck, for the fulfillment of 'desires of the heart',
and for success and prosperity. It is also used in the
performance of exorcism, in cases of possession by jinni.
Fanditha can be used to cure diseases, protect one from evil
spirits etc. A Fanditha spell can take the form of a charmed
amulet, worn around the waist or upper arm, a glass of water
to be drunk by the afflicted; incantations recited over the
afflicted etc.
Sihuru (black magic) is
causative and harmful. Sihuru is essentially employed to
cause mischief and harm. It could be employed to drive a
person insane, cause illness, inflict bodily harm or
actually kill a person. Sihuru spells too, can take many
forms. It can be a morsel of food fed to the victim, a
coconut buried in the hearth, a black charm buried in the
cemetery etc. The performance of sihuru is an offense under
law and could result in severe punishment.
JINNI
Being a Muslim society,
belief in the jinni is universal in the Maldives. It is
believed that jinnis were created out of fire, and endowed
with supernatural powers. Although normally invisible to the
human eye, exponents in fanditha, and sihuru, and those
possessed by these entities, are said to be able to see and
communicate with them. In the traditional society, a special
formula was recited before anything was thrown away, for
fear of hitting a jinni that may happen to be lurking in the
vicinity. Occasionally these entities are said to possess
people. When this happens, the fanditha man was summoned and
the offending jinni exorcised.
DHEVI
Dhevi is a generic term for
spirits capable of possessing people.
VIGANI
Vigani was the ancient lord
of death. It is said to inhabit both land and sea. It is
said to be fond of rot and putrefaction. Although it is
known to kill and devour human beings, the vigani mostly
feeds on putrid meat and fish. It is believed that when the
vigani haunts an island a single colored rainbow with, one
end resting on the island and the other on the distant
horizon, can be observed from the sea. This is supposed to
be one of the most dangerous and frightening spirits in the
Maldivian pantheon.
HANDI
Handi is spirit that takes
the form of a fair woman with long disheveled hair, and is
usually dressed in red. It is said to be able to travel at
great speeds and harm people if disturbed. It is mostly seen
in the afternoon or evening. The color red is associated
with handi. When afflicted, the victim can be driven insane.
BABURU KOYYAA
This is an evil spirit that
manifests mostly at night. It resembles a small, dark child
and when disturbed causes harm to people. This is one of the
most common forms of haunting in the country. It may
manifest in almost any place, especially on dark nights.
FEREITHAA
Fereithaa is a generic term
for a certain type of unpleasant spirit. It is malevolent
and foul smelling. It can appear in any form and has eyes on
the top of its head.
AVAHTEHI
This is a female spirit which
appears in ragged clothes and long unruly hair. According to
local beliefs, although invisible to the normal human being,
an avahtehi can be domesticated to perform certain household
chores. It is believed that these creatures can and do
befriend humans. Avahtehi is a form shifting spirit.
KANDAMATHI EDUN
Kandamathi
Edun is a phenomenon peculiar to the sea. It is known to
afflict seafaring travelers. It manifests in diverse forms;
a glowing ball of light, a dead body with the shroud, a ship
full of lamps, breakers, reefs or even a heavy shower of
rain. (It should be noted however, that in all cases the
rainwater is salty!) When possessed it manifests, usually in
one of these forms, around the vessel. In extreme cases, it
is known to even manifest on the vessel itself. If the
possession is from the rear of the vessel, the speed is
favorably affected while; a forward manifestation
drastically reduces it.
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FANDITHA ( BLACK
MAGIC ) SCRIPTURES USED BY THE LOCAL FANDITHA MEN
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