Overview

A fascinating and often surprising journey into the belief and practice of magic in Pakistan, exploring the country’s myths, legends and folklore. The supernatural and the religious intertwine to produce a unique cultural landscape where the holy and the superstitious combine inextricably and practitioners of both white and black magic gain legitimacy and status from the incorporation of Quranic elements in their rituals – from faith healing and protection to harmful sorcery. Far from an arcane relic of times long past, the practice of magic is ubiquitous in Pakistan today and amongst its diaspora across the globe, constantly changing and adapting to new environments and influences. Neither is the popularity of magic limited to the impoverished or illiterate – belief is widespread regardless of status and education, with a resurgence in interest from younger people, perhaps disillusioned with modern society and organised religion and seeking a return to a more natural way of life. The risks of exploitation and abuse from unprincipled charlatans are commonplace, especially since they are promoted by the media and unregulated by law, but genuine, religiously legitimate practitioners also exist and their help is sought by millions, suggesting a deep-seated human need for connection to the supernatural.  

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9781916732438

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