Monstrum: Jinn—Ancient Arabian Shapeshifters

Magic
Written By Chris Well

Jinn are powerful, emotional beings capable of living for thousands of years.

Crafted from smokeless fire, the shapeshifting jinni (known as ‘genie’ in the Western world) are far more important, and frightening, than pop culture would have us believe. Usually invisible to the human eye, they can take any form to appear to humans. Once worshipped in ancient Arabic cultures, the jinni is now known for it’s wish-granting capabilities.

The episode below explains how jinn became a popular character in fiction, while looking at how their origins continue to influence Islamic cultures today. From the Qur’an to The Thousand and One Nights, the story of Aladdin to I Dream of Jeannie and everything in between—the jinn are more than just a being trapped in a lamp who grants wishes. They’re powerful, intellectual entities whose stories are woven into ancient Islamic culture.

Written and hosted by Emily Zarka.

Chris Well

Chris Well been a writer pretty much his entire life. (Well, since his childhood.) Over the years, he has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio, and books. He now is the chief of the website Monster Complex, celebrating monster stories in lit and pop culture. He also writes horror comedy fiction that embraces Universal Monsters, 1960s sitcoms, 1980s action movies, and the X-Files.

https://chriswell.substack.com/
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