BELIEF IN DEMONIC (JINN) POSSESSION AND PATRONAGE OF EXORCISM AS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AMONG MUSLIMS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Umarudeen Mudathir () and Olusegun Fariudeen Liadi ()
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Umarudeen Mudathir: Department of Sociology, Postal: University of Ibadan, https://fssunilorinedu.org/ijbss/index.php
Olusegun Fariudeen Liadi: Department of Sociology, Postal: Fountain University, Osogbo Osun State, Nigeria, https://fssunilorinedu.org/ijbss/index.php

Ilorin Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2016, vol. 18, issue 1, 48-72

Abstract: Muslim faithfuls are expected according to the religion of Islam to believe in the existence of Jinn and the ability of evil/demonic jinn to cause ill health to humans. The religion also prescribes certain rituals known as rukyah (exorcism) as remedy to any health problems or economic misfortune caused by evil possession. However, despite widespread belief in the ability of evil jinn to cause ill health and the practice of exorcism among this group, this phenomenon has not enjoyed much scholarly attention. The aim of this article is to examine the extent of patronage of exorcism as medical remedy among Muslim faithfuls in Ibadan, Nigeria. With the combination of both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, 215 close-ended questionnaires were administered in addition to 25 in-depth interviews among selected respondents. Furthermore, 15 Key informant interviews were also conducted among exorcists. The results show that there is a widespread belief in evil jinn possession among respondents and exorcism was viewed as an efficacious alternative treatment platform to any persistent ailments after the failure of modern medical system. Respondents' gender, age and level of education were found to have no significant effect on patronage.

Keywords: Exorcism; Demonic possession; Ill health bevahiour; Alternative Medicine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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