Not every 'king of the jinn' comes from a mysterious book of magic. Sometimes, these figures emerge from folk songs or real historical names, reimagined by collective imagination, charlatans, and social media—until they become fiery, blood-drinking, flesh-eating creatures like 'Pasha Hamo the Butcher.'

A Pasha from the colonial era... whose legend lived on after his death

Historically, 'Pasha Hamo' was the nickname of Hamo Belabbas/Al-Hammadi, a figure associated with the city of El Jadida and its surroundings during the French Protectorate in Morocco. In local memory, especially in the Doukkala region, he was known for his strict rule and the popular saying: 'His caftan is imposing, his judgment is decisive,' as recounted in local articles.

We’re not aiming to turn this into a biography; it’s enough to understand one thing: the title (Pasha) and the name (Hamo) both carried an aura of authority. When legends need a powerful mask, they easily borrow names from old seats of power.

'The Spirit of Pasha Hamo'... when metaphor becomes literal

The turning point didn’t come from ancient manuscripts or rituals, but from oral and musical traditions—especially in the context of Aissawa/Al-Saken performances. A recurring refrain goes: 'Woe, woe to Pasha Hamo... the one who drinks blood... the one who eats flesh...' This line is still widely heard in recordings and online platforms today.

Here lies the 'big trick.' In popular language, 'drinking blood' and 'eating flesh' aren’t always meant literally—they can be metaphors for oppression, predatory behavior, or taking away people’s rights. But when charlatanism or hasty interpretation steps in, the metaphor becomes a literal claim: there really is a creature that drinks blood and eats flesh—a jinn!

This is exactly what researcher Abdelrahim Cherrad analyzed in his post about how a jinn with the rank of 'Pasha' became embedded in some interpretations of 'Al-Saken,' turning a folk symbol into material for superstition, marketed as supernatural truth—with a clear sense of irony about the idea of a jinn holding the office of Pasha.

Why add the title 'the Butcher'?

Adding 'the Butcher' isn’t just a minor detail; it’s an upgrade in the story’s brutality. 'Pasha' means authority and prestige (a human reference), 'Hamo' is a familiar, relatable name, and 'the Butcher' conjures images of blood, meat, and knives—cementing the literal reading of the song.

This gives storytellers and charlatans a ready-made package: a familiar name, an official title, and a gruesome image—making for a legend that spreads quickly.

Social media picks up where superstition left off

In the age of online platforms, legends don’t need scientific backing—they just need a shocking headline, dramatic audio, horror music, and a comment section where people reassure each other: 'It’s true... I know someone who was affected by Pasha Hamo.'

This has led to a wave of organized content presenting 'Pasha Hamo the Butcher' as one of the 'Seven Kings of the Jinn,' in a semi-documentary style on YouTube and Facebook. As the story is repeated, it creates what sociologists call the 'illusory truth effect': the more often a story is told, the more it feels like a fact.

Social media doesn’t just 'share' these tales—it actively reshapes memory: taking a refrain from an old song, pairing it with images of palaces, cities, or rituals, and creating a new 'origin story' for the legend.

From 'king of the jinn' to real-world scams

The real danger of the 'Jinn Hamo' legend is that it doesn’t stay in the realm of fantasy. It became the basis for the 'money-doubling box' scam that made headlines in Morocco in 2024—a prime example of how the idea of a jinn named Hamo was used to trick real victims, convincing people that a box 'inhabited by Jinn Hamo' could multiply their money.

Debunking a legend doesn't mean disrespecting heritage—it's about protecting it.

The legend of 'Pasha Hamo the Butcher' reveals something important about us: how a piece of heritage—a folk figure or a song—can, when taken out of context, be twisted into a tool for deception, and eventually become a 'popular truth' passed down through generations via the media.

Challenging this legend isn't an attack on tradition; it's an effort to save our heritage from naive literalism, commercial exploitation, and the psychological and financial manipulation that fuels the 'jinn market.'

Glossary of Maghrebi Popular Culture

Below are explanations of terms that may be unfamiliar to those who haven't lived in or studied Morocco's rich culture and folklore:

Aissawa

A Moroccan Sufi order founded in the 16th century, known for its collective chanting and powerful rhythms that induce spiritual ecstasy. What is sometimes misinterpreted as possession or trance is, in fact, a deeply emotional and spiritual expression within a religious ritual.

Gnawa

A Moroccan spiritual and musical tradition with African roots, characterized by rhythmic repetition in ceremonies called 'Lila.' While its music is popularly associated with spirits and jinn, this connection is more cultural and symbolic than religious.

Saken

A Moroccan folk term referring to an 'unseen presence' inhabiting a person or place. It's often used to describe mysterious or psychological states, and doesn't necessarily imply a literal belief in jinn.