The Interplay Between Magic and Healing in Libyan Folk Medicine: An Ethnographic Sociological Study

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between magical beliefs and traditional healing practices in rural Libyan society. The research adopts a descriptive analytical approach and relies on both quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires and field interviews with members of the local community and traditional healers. The findings reveal that traditional medicine still plays an important role in rural communities, as many individuals seek the help of traditional healers in cases believed to be related to supernatural causes such as magic or the evil eye. The results also show a clear interaction between modern medicine and traditional healing practices. The study concludes that cultural beliefs and social traditions significantly influence people’s perceptions of illness and their choice of treatment methods.