A Mohammedan saint; especially, one who claims to work cures supernaturally.
holy man, and by extension his place of burial. These tombs, usually whitewashed domes, play an important (and heterodox) role in the religion of country areas
(Marabout) Saint; religious sage. The word also means stork, which have the habit of nesting on top of saintly mausolea
descendent of holy persons, responsible for maintaining tombs, believed to have supernatural powers (Arabic murabit)
large African black-and-white carrion-eating stork; downy under-wing feathers are used to trim garments
holy man, as well as his tomb (see koubba)
a Muslim hermit, monk, or holy man; holy men who are the subject of many devotional songs North/West Africa
In North Africa a holy man and teacher venerated locally and believed to be touched by divine grace, or baraka ( q.v.), which sometimes conferred the right to rule as well. Frequently called upon to arbitrate tribal disputes, the marabout was not usually a member of the ulama ( q.v.). Transliteration of al murabutun (those who have made a religious retreat); popularly called rijal al bilad (men of the soil, earth, or countryside).
Small domed 'tomb of saints'
A marabout is a personal spiritual leader in the Islam faith as practiced in West Africa, and still to a limited extent in the Maghreb. The marabout is often a scholar of the Qur'an, and many make amulets for good luck, preside at various ceremonies, and in some cases actively guide the life of the follower.