Big, blue, jovial and powerful. That's how most of us remember one of the more popular characters in Walt Disney's Aladdin — the "Genie" portrayed by comedian and brilliant actor Robin Williams.
Genie in the 1992 movie was able to grant wishes for his master who had rubbed the lamp the genie was living in. This cartoon version of the Genie we know has evolved from its original form.
In Arabic and Malay folklore, the genie is known to be of a supernatural kind, believed to occupy a parallel world to our mortal reality. The Genie or spelt more commonly, Jinn, is said to have originated in Egypt, Sumeria and ancient Persia.
Academics and authors Alan G. Hefner and Robert Lebling concur that the myth of the Jinn began with a story of the son of David, King Solomon, the master of these supernatural beings. He owned a diamond ring which can summon the Jinn's help to fight battles.
Commonly known as ugly and evil, these Jinns have supernatural powers but are servants to those who order them to fulfill their masters' requests.
Lebling, author of Legends of the Fire Spirits Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar, believed that the Jinn was born from a smokeless fire and has a role that extended beyond just service - it was a shape-shifting demon that could eat human flesh and torment mankind.
Some believed the Jinn was placed at a lower rung than angels because they were made of fire and were not immortal. Their powers are bestowed to their masters, but are not without conditions.
Green, evil but smells nice
Far from the Genie in Walt Disney's movie, hotel housekeeper Aminah A. would definitely relate to the "evil" perception of the Jinn.
"It was in the pantry, when I saw them, not just one Jinn but a family of them," she relates her story to Yahoo! Malaysia.
Aminah was working in a training centre in Ayer Keroh, Malacca when she first "met" the Jinn family. They were standing around cabinets in the small pantry.
Green with big eyes that were full of "vengeance" - she describes them. "They had long tongues, it was so scary. One male, female and three smaller Jinns, perhaps their offspring. Each time I saw them, I would scream and then pass out, only to be woken by my colleagues after."
This housekeeper's account reflect many cultural interpretations of the Jinn having social organisations.
They are known to have a royal structure, courts and mourning rituals similar to the Orang Bunian community. Some versions have the Jinns wearing sashes or vests, with tied long hair.
Because of their ability to help humans, there are belief systems which recognises the importance of Jinns and associate these beings with nice smelling fragrances as opposed to wandering spirits and vampires which are usually foul-smelling.
Have lamp, will travel
Globally, the Jinn or Genies have been strong influences in people's lives.
Take for instance a 2009 case in Saudi Arabia where a family claimed it sued the supernatural being for theft and harassment. The "accused" apparently threw rocks at the family as well as stole their mobile phones.
The judge of this case in a town near Medina, took the suit seriously and instructed an investigation on the existence of this Jinn.
Last July, a Saudi father of a 30-year-old man chained his son and locked him in a basement because he believed a female Jinn had possessed the younger man.
The man, known as Turki was said to have convulsions where his eyes rolled back into his head and spoke in the voice of the Jinn.
Surreal or real guardians — popular culture
As always, popular culture will have its take on these beings. Most rather live with the impression that these supernatural beings perform guardian roles or act as man's servant, as opposed with its evil nature.
Barbara Eden in popular sitcom, "I dream of Jeannie", as an example, will leave viewers with a pleasant image of these spirits, granting any wish you want, living like a servant in a tiny bottle.
Closer to home, there have been accounts of a Jinn standing guard at the entrance of a local university in the Klang Valley.
Standing taller than these arches of the entrance, his legs are parted to give way to motorists and pedestrians, similarly like the curved structure. He towers over vehicles and people, and stands with crossed arms much like a security guard or a bouncer in a nightclub.
Seen only at sunset, this powerful being stands guard at the campus' exit and entry points. Take a drive in the late evenings, and you may very well spot him.
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