Ifrit

**Also known as**: Afrit, Afreet, Afreeti, Afrite; Ifreet; Ifrit; Efreet, Efreeti, Efrit

African and Muslim folklore alike speak of a vampiric spirit called the afrit, or afriti when found in numbers. Its name means “blood-drinking nomad.” True Afarit are primordial fire spirits who existed on Earth thousands of years before people, genuine Old Ones. They have traditionally been held responsible for solar eclipses: the Afarit consumes the sun, causing it to disappear. It reappears when the Afarit eventually vomits.

In modern Egypt, the word Afarit has evolved into a catchall for any type of revenant, ghost, or apparition, although the word remains unfailingly negative. Afarit is used as a synonym for evil spirit. There is no such thing as a “friendly Afarit.”

Some sources say it looks like a larger version of the jinni, but others claim it appears as a desert dervish, a ghostlike form, a tall column of smoke, or a being resembling the Christian devil complete with cloven hooves, horns, and a tail. Just to see the creature will cause a person to be overcome with fear. In all, there are ﬁve types of jinni, and although the afrit is the second most powerful, it is the most ruthless and cruel toward its victims.

Afarit are not minor disruptive spirits but are exceptionally dangerous, powerful, smart, and malevolent. They don’t like people. Afarit possess powers of bilocation: they can be in more than one place at the same time. They can render themselves visible or invisible at will. Their appearance is subject to their whim, but they are generally described as “huge” and “terrifying.” Should they possess or afflict someone, that person may show signs of psychosis and/or extraordinary physical strength. The person who is possessed or afflicted by the Afarit may demonstrate what resembles steroid rage or steroid psychosis but with no physical explanation for the condition.

When a person is murdered, his spirit returns to the place of death. At the very spot where the last drop of his lifeblood fell, the newly created afrit rises up. To prevent this emergence, hammer a virgin nail (a nail that has never before been used) into the spot. Remove the nail and release the Afarit.

Afarit may be considered their own unique class of spirit or are sometimes considered a subcategory of particularly dangerous Djinn. Afarit are *always* dangerous, malicious, and powerful. Many authorities perceive them as lacking any redeeming qualities (beyond the fact that they are incredibly powerful, causing reckless sorcerers to wish to command them).

Afarit are most associated with Egypt, North Africa, and the Middle East, but they can travel where they will. They are especially fond of abandoned cemeteries, lingering among ancient Egyptian tombs and the Great Pyramid.

## **To Attract and Command an Afarit**

This technique derives from Moroccan Jewish traditions and is begun after the conclusion of the Sabbath on Saturday night. The Sabbath officially ends after sunset and so timing is different each Saturday night and must be verified before beginning the ritual. Most Jewish calendars include information regarding when the Sabbath begins and ends each week.

1. Light an oil lamp.
2. Cover it with a couscousière (tasksut), a kitchen utensil with seven holes, used to prepare couscous.
3. Recite the appropriate invocations. If this is done correctly, a seven-headed Afarit will appear, each head poking through a hole in the tasksut.
4. At this point, things can either go very well or not. Very well means that the Afarit submits to your will and follows your command. Not very well … well, you can imagine. The outcome depends somewhat on the summoner. It is crucial to remain calm, collected, and courageous.

## Appearances in Modern Media

From Age of IshtariaFrom Reign of DragonsFrom Rage of BahamutFrom Shin Megami TenseiFrom Unison LeagueFrom Kamihime ProjectFrom Monster StrikeFrom Force of WillFrom Brave FrontierFrom Dragalia LostFrom Puzzle & DragonFrom Divine Gate
## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes

The Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology Written by Theresa Bane