Islands often hold a prominent place in tales of magic and boundless myths, and Socotra Archipelago is no exception. Until the early 21st century, the belief in supernatural beings, many of which were perceived as adversaries to humans, was a significant part of Socotran culture. Among these, female figures hold a special position, including a human-like entity, often a woman, who allies with the devil, gaining the ability to harm others. This being is called “Zahra” in Socotran culture.
The Tale of Zahra
Zahra is believed to be capable of killing people, but the process is extraordinary. She first transforms into a small bird, like a sparrow, and chases her victim for long distances, sometimes over 50 kilometers. The pursued person, called “Mutarad”, falls into an abnormal mental state described locally as “Mikhash”. After capturing the victim, Zahra, along with other women believed to be witches, takes them to a water source, where they are ritually slaughtered. The process involves laying the victim on their back, covering them with a cloak, and kindling fire over water. No one knows precisely how the victim is killed, but by the next morning, the victim returns home unharmed, with no signs of slaughter except exhaustion. Days later, the victim dies mysteriously.
Zahra is also believed to harm livestock, drying up their udders and causing them to waste away or die. These events, attributed to Zahra, have intrigued many and call for scientific investigation, as noted by the Socotran writer Owais Al-Qalansi, who humorously remarked, “If Zahra can indeed slaughter people and bring them back unharmed, she should assist in surgical operations, outdoing the world’s best surgeons.”
The Role of “Makoli”
In the past, Socotra witnessed many cases where women were accused of witchcraft and subjected to execution, torture, exile, or verbal harassment. This was often instigated by men called “Makoli”, self-proclaimed exorcists who claimed to expel spirits or cure livestock allegedly harmed by Zahra. Makoli would perform rituals like “Riḥaḍa”, which involved digging a small hole in the ground and engaging in complex movements, mumbling, and shouting to exorcise the victim. Sometimes, Makoli would accuse specific women, leading to trials and punishments.
Witch Trials
Accused women were tried publicly. If they confessed, they incriminated themselves. If not, they underwent a night of grueling preparations, including being bound with ropes and burdened with stones. The next morning, the accused were taken out to sea, tied to a rope, and thrown into the water. If the woman sank, she was declared innocent and retrieved. If she floated and swam to shore, she was deemed guilty and faced severe punishments, including execution or exile.
Decline of Belief
With the fall of the Al Afrar rule and Socotra’s integration into the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, leftist and progressive ideologies began to dominate. By the early 1970s, the practice of Makoli was banned, though some rural people continued to secretly seek their services. After Yemen’s unification in the 1990s, the rise of Wahhabi influence led to religious rulings condemning belief in Zahra as polytheism and Makoli as sorcery, punishable under Islamic law. These changes gradually diminished these beliefs, though remnants still linger among some elderly Socotrans.
Modern Perspectives
Even today, older individuals who emigrated decades ago to Gulf countries hold steadfast beliefs in Zahra and Makoli, deeply rooted in their childhood experiences. For instance, an elderly Socotran man shared a story about witnessing Zahra’s involvement in the deaths of his relatives during his youth. Despite his migration, he believes Zahra’s powers are confined to the island, unable to cross seas.
The transformation of these cultural beliefs is a slow and complex process. While they are fading into the annals of history, they remain a fascinating chapter of Socotra’s rich heritage.