With the lack of a good educational system and low awareness among the people, locals have turned to black magicians to help them solve problems of everyday life. It is spread in every governorate in the capital Sana’a and customers from around the world travel to Yemen to meet some of its famous black magicians.

When talking about black magic, numerous angles come to mind, making it difficult to understand the crisis of black magic in Yemen. For this, a detailed explanation will be mentioned for each main point in this topic.

Their spread in Yemen in general

Yemen is still one of the few countries in the world where black magic is very widespread and practiced. Looking at its historical background in the country ,“ The Necromicon”, is a book known to be written by the black magic wizard Abdul Al-Hazred who lived at Sana’a in Yemen 700 AC. It spread is mainly due to the lack of education, and the belief that a quicker conclusion could be possible if one decides on going to a magician. Over the years the numbers have surprisingly increased especially in big cities. The reason for this could be explained by Yemen being a lowly educated country, where there is bigger possibility to go to a magician then in other countries. In the capital Sana’a tens of locations are known to be used for magicians and with direct knowledge of the government. When asking members of the security forces on why they would not stop magicians from what they do one replied, “it’s very scary to talk to those kinds of people. Some of them have so many Jins (Jennies) working for them we can’t even get close to them”, said Nabil Mosleh, a security officer. “ it’s not our job to stop them, it’s the government’s job. Isn’t it the head of the country?”

Which places are more famous?

many places have become famous for black magicians and witches around the country spreading from the capital Sana’a to Island like Socotra and Kamaran. In nearly every city you go, they are visible, but differ in popularity of powers. “ when on my honeymoon in the island of Socotra, I saw magicians who practice their evil actions near the shores while choosing small houses to live in”, Abdul Rasheed Al-Arami said, a resident of Sana’a who honeymooned in the island earlier this year.

Places in Yemen famous for the practicing of black magic include Sa’ada, Taiz, Sana’a, Ibb, and Rada’a. these cities have become famous due to the spread of wizards and black magic in them. The southern parts of the country are less likely to see the spread of black magic. This is due to the higher educational level in the south, and the more awareness spread among them either from being under British occupation or living in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and other gulf states.

Talking to one of them

When talking to a magician, it would be impossible to notice the evilness of his actions, as they treat you with much respect and quietness. They claim that what they do is helping society and in no way destructive. Magicians claim that most locals go to them because they realize that they help more than they harm. “ if we did not help them, why would they come to us in the first place” a local magician said. “

However locals believe that magicians harm others when they help. An example for this could be when an enemy of a married couple wants to break the relationship between the couple. Here, he goes to the magician and pays huge amounts of money in order to destroy the relationship of the married couple. Sometimes, when their magic works, the couple separates, and their life was destroyed by the help of the wizard who practiced black magic. “ my marriage was destroyed by an evil magician who openly told me that he will destroy my marriage after I already had four children. He was not joking; I divorced my wife months later”, said Hafez Abdullah, a victim of black magic. “ the evil wizard died naturally weeks after he destroyed my marriage. I could have killed him anyways to revenge for my marriage”, he adds.

Magicians book sources

According to magicians, a book called “Shams Al-Ma’arif” is their main source of information. This book is expected to be in the house of every magician in the country for its importance to them, and the critical information it offers. Famous magicians have the entire book memorized, while normal magicians understand it enough to practice what it preaches.

Who works for them?

According to magicians, Jins are their main source in their work. They claim to use Jins to do what they are asked by the magician. If the Jin does not listen to the orders, the magician threats to kill him or punish him harshly. They use other punishments like burning them if they are not cooperative, or threatening to hurt other members of the Jens family.

When having the powers of some Jins, magicians try to accomplish their goals through them, but on many occasions their work goes fruitless and incomplete. In the times where they succeed, they than take full control of the person. This in result makes the victim act in the way that pleases the magician.