Narratives of the Djinn and the Dynamics of Sufi Religiosity in the Balkans. An Ethnographic Essay

This ethnographic essay explores the social work of local narratives of djinn and possession in the Sufi communities of North Macedonia and Serbia. Addressing the "neighbourhood" relations between djinn and humans, as well as situations of possession in everyday conversations, allows for a better understanding of the socio-cultural contexts and intrinsic processes that shape the ongoing transformations of Sufi traditions in this part of the world. The fragmentation of the religious field, the coexistence, and the clash of diverse Islamic discourses within it are discussed in this context. This essay covers two case studies that illustrate the dynamics of Sufi religiosity, such as revising religious knowledge and practice, as well as the growing complexity of the sacred landscape.