Ritual and Belief in Morocco: Vol. II

by Edvard Westermarck

Between the years of 1898 and 1926, Edward Westermarck spent a total of seven years in Morocco, visiting towns and tribes in different parts of the country, meeting local people and learning about their language and culture; his findings are noted in this two-volume set, first published in 1926. The first volume contains extensive reference material, including Westermarck's system of transliteration and a comprehensive list of the tribes and districts mentioned in the text. The chapters in this, the second volume, explore such areas as the rites and beliefs connected with the Islamic calendar, agriculture, and childbirth. This title will fascinate any student or researcher of anthropology with an interest in the history of ritual, culture and religion in Morocco.

Genres: Morocco, Reference, Magick, Anthropology, Religion, Africa

652 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1988

About the author

Edvard Alexander Westermarck was a Finnish philosopher and sociologist. Among other subjects, he studied exogamy and the incest taboo.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the casual reader, both because of the size [2 volumes of 600-odd pages each] and the writing style [it's an ethnography written in 1926], if you can get past those things and have an interest in mythology, ritual, and customs from the Mid-East [Morocco in this case], it is an absolute gold mine of the customs, rituals, and beliefs practiced in the era [or at least what the interviewed told the ethnographer were practiced]. If you're looking for ideas to build stories around, or have an interest in the mythic/mystic beliefs of the natives of the indigenous peoples of the area, then this set is for you.

[Amal Ad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Edvard's work reminds me of my first reading of George Orwell's essay "Marrakesh," which describes the brutal oppression of the native people of Morocco who are exploited by the French colonial empire, and the difficult living conditions that were described in detail. Ironically, what George wrote in 1938 still applies today, and in the same condition. The same goes for Rituals and Beliefs in Morocco by Edvard Westermarck, which documents the country's religious and magical practices, some of which still exist, such as the role of beliefs like the evil eye and the various stories of jinn.... some of which are still told today. It's a good book written by a Western writer who has done a geart job of studying Moroccan culture and documenting its beliefs and rituals.