Anthropology of Holiness, Guardianship, and Visiting Shrines in Western Sahara: A Theoretical Approach and Field Study

Dr. Muhammad Al-Dahmi (pp. 114–146)

Abstract

Interest in the field of holiness, including visiting shrines, is well justified because, despite the changes in Sahrawi society, belief in the blessing of saints and ancestors continues to inhabit the collective imagination. This belief remains widespread and clearly influences the construction and justification of many individual and collective strategies. Examining symbolic life and the management of social relations shows that conflict and competition are not always strictly economic; power relations are closely tied to relations of meaning. Understanding how the sacred is experienced and utilized provides insight into the social dimensions of power and meaning. By situating oneself within this reality rich in representations and symbols, one can analyze how society navigates these sacred and profane dynamics.

Keywords: Anthropology, holiness, state, shrines, Western Sahara