The
country of Morocco is home to only a few myths and legends for the people of
Morocco. However, one of the most well-known myths for the country of Morocco
is along the waters of Fez medina. These waters bring to life to the myth of
Aisha Kandisha. Most of the Moroccan people will hesitate before saying the
full name of Aisha Kandisha because she instilled so much fear into them. Aisha
Kandisha is a woman who has the legs of goats, but is known to be a very
attractive woman. As the legend goes, she lives under the riverbeds and the
flames of Morocco in the waters of Fez medina. The Moroccan people typically
give information about legends and other stories through the oral aspect.
However, sharing with someone a story means the message seems to get confusing
and expanded upon, which means the listeners are not left with the same message
that started it in the first place. The story of Aisha Kandisha mostly remains
the same, but there are pieces that seem to have been added on to the story. The
different variations of the story of Aisha Kandisha are mostly based upon the
area you live in. Some story tellers share Aisha as having goat feet, but some
view her as a beautiful mermaid. Also, some story tellers think of Aisha
Kandisha as being an old woman trying to break up couples, but some see her as
a demon.
In addition, the story of Aisha
Kandisha started when the Spanish invaded the country of Morocco. Aisha was
waiting for her prey under the riverbeds and flames of Morocco. The riverbeds
of Morocco consists of the waters of the Fez medina, but when stating the
flames the myth is directly related to jinns. Jinns are known to be one of
various forms of genies, which is heavily believed in the country of Morocco. The
genies of Morocco take many forms, but are not typically thought of as bad. As
a society, we typically associate genies to be good and to grant wishes like in
the movie “Aladdin”. However, Aisha is associated with waters because of the
riverbeds she resides in. Moreover, the jinns are just one of the creations of
Allah with humans and angels being the other spiritual beings created by Allah.
Most Moroccan people follow Allah because there is a high percentage of the population
that follows the religious practice of Islam. The spirits of inns can be good,
evil, or neutral because they have free will.
Furthermore, the many Spanish soldiers
invading the country were walking around and across the land that Aisha
Kandisha seemed to have possessed and waited for them. As the men continued to
approach her, she would use her seductive qualities in order to entice them
towards her. However, the different versions of Aisha’s myth becomes confusing
after the point of the men being drawn to her through seduction. One of the
versions of the myth claims that Aisha Kandisha takes them down under the
riverbeds and flames in order to kill them. Another version of the myth states
she possesses the men with spirits, demons, sorcery, jinns, and even jnun. The
jnun are somewhat similar to jinns because they are invisible spiritual beings.
The two different versions of the myth are both terrifying because the Spanish
soldiers are never found again. The Spanish soldiers either end up dead or they
end up being possessed by spiritual being forever and never to be found again. The
people of Morocco believe Aisha was responsible for getting rid of the Spanish
invaders and for taking back the country of Morocco for their own.
The story of Aisha Kandisha is still
told and believed today by some of the people of Morocco. The Moroccan people
typically instill fear into the various lives. The people typically view Aisha
as being scary because of the aspect of possessing others with a spiritual
being or a demon. Some of the parents in the country tell their children that
if they do not behave Aisha would come for them. The Moroccan people wanted
Aisha to be seen as something to be feared, but also as a spiritual being that
truly helped their country. However, some Moroccan people take the stance of
viewing Aisha as a call to help them and speak with them. Many of the residents
believe that if they pour boiling water down the sink drain and call to Aisha,
she will come and speak in order to help with a situation. Some of the people
of Morocco gather every Thursday led by men to the river where she is known to
reside. The gatherers bring milk and bread, but they also bring incense and
candles to burn beside the river. Some of the people want to continue to honor
Aisha Kandisha through this ritual and tradition of Morocco.
In conclusion, the different variation
of the legend of Aisha Kandisha does not matter to the residents of Morocco.
The Moroccan people are only concerned with honoring Aisha and showing her respect
for protecting their proud country. Aisha Kandisha goes beyond just a legend
for the people of Morocco, but she is what saved their country. For many people
it is hard to understand the concept of believing in a legend or myth. However,
the people of Morocco demonstrate how important the religion of Islam is to the
people. Islam is one of the main focal points to the country and surrounds the
country in many of the traditions displayed. The religion of Islam is impeded
throughout the story of Aisha Kandisha. She represents one of the spiritual
beings of the demons of jinns that surrounds the legend. The gathering of
believers also shows the devotion the Islamic people possess because of the
aspect of going to Mecca every year. The people of Morocco value their
traditions and their cultures and because of this they hold to the truth of any
legend of myth being told. The myth or legend of Aisha Kandisha represents how
important tradition is to the Moroccan people. The story of Aisha Kandisha
should be seen as part of the culture of Morocco.
Bibliography
“Back to My Roots: Aisha Kandisha’s Leaky
Body.” Leaky Ink (June 2012). Feb.
2016. https://leakyink.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/back-to-my-roots-aisha-kandishas-leaky-body/
“The Story of Aisha Kandisha.” Hidden Waters (Sept. 2011). Feb. 2016. https://fezfilm.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/the-story-of-aisha-kandisha/
“Moroccan Folklore: The Story of
Aisha.” All About Occult: Fortean
News…and Other Stuff (April 2015). Feb. 2016. http://www.allaboutoccult.com/2015/04/moroccan-folklore-the-story-of-aisha/
Youssouf, Ajinnah. “Djinns (Genies).” Essaouira (Dec. 2012). Feb. 2016. http://www.essaouira.nu/culture_djinns.htm
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Interesting story!
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