Episode 139: Afghan Folklore (Giants and Jinn) feat. Dr. Homayun Sidky & Parwana

SKIP TO 00:16:15 TO GET TO THIS WEEK’S STORY Welcome to Episode 139 of Let’s Get Haunted! This episode we are joined by esteemed anthropologist and professor Homayun Sidky to delve into Afghanistan’s rich folklore and culture. In particular, today we are discussing two prevalent paranormal entities: Jinn and giants. Born in the U.S. to Afghan parents working at the United Nations, Dr. Sidky credits his fascination with religious and supernatural beliefs to his exposure as a child to many different cultures. Dr. Sidky hopes that through this episode, our listeners will come to view Afghanistan as so much more than the product of wars waged within its borders by foreign influences. Also on this episode, we are joined by Parwana aka Par, who hails from Afghanistan by way of Pakistan, eventually arriving in Canada as a refugee with her family during the 1980s. Par is a fascinating woman who has overcome generational trauma and is now finding healing through spiritual enlightenment. Par hopes that through this episode, our listeners will come to find their own spiritual empowerment. We are so honored to be joined by two people who represent seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of how they view the paranormal. We hope that the diversity of discussion found in this episode will serve as a mirror to the diversity and beauty found within Afghanistan itself. As with all of our cultural folklore episodes, the end goal of these interviews and discussions is to shine a spotlight on the vibrant, diverse, and lively culture of this fascinating country. TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 - INTRO/PERSONAL HAUNTINGS 00:09:18 - DONOR SHOUTOUTS 00:16:15 - PART I: AFGHANISTAN 00:57:40 - PART II: JINN 01:20:00 - PART III: GIANTS THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED!!! THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED! Visit https://www.venterrafarmscbd.com and enter "HAUNTED15" at checkout for 15% off your order + free shipping on all CBD products — External links for this episode: Where to find Par: https://www.tiktok.com/@soullypar Where to find Dr. Sidky: Dr. Sidky’s books may be purchased on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Homayun-Sidky/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHomayun+Sidky “Malang, Sufis, and Mystics: An Ethnographic and Historical Study of Shamanism in Afghanistan” by M.H. Sidky - JSTOR Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1178037?read-now=1#page_scan_tab_contents “Last Military Flight Leaves Kabul”, WXCU’s interview Professor Sidky on the American pullout of Afghanistan can be listened to here: https://www.wvxu.org/show/cincinnati-edition/2021-08-31/last-military-flight-leaves-kabul-airport — Other Important Stuff: Become a donor by subscribing to our BRAND NEW PATREON: http://patreon.com/letsgethaunted Buy Our Merch: https://www.letsgethaunted.com Check out the photo dump for this week’s episode: https://www.instagram.com/letsgethaunted Send us fan mail: Let’s Get Haunted PO BOX 1658 Camarillo, CA 93011 Send us your listener stories: LetsGetHauntedPod@gmail.com — BACKGROUND MUSIC Song: Triumph (No Copyright Music) Music and Production by Pepe Pérez TRIUMPH. Music Orchestral Instrumental EPIC Motivational. No copyright LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JsdHHYUmeg Song: The Art of Afghan Music: Quraishi, rubab Artist: Quraishi, Chatram Sahni, Hewad Wardak Credits: The performance was recorded May 20, 2017, within the exhibition Turquoise Mountain: Artists Transforming Afghanistan, organized by the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Turquoise Mountain Trust. This exhibition was made possible by the support the American people have given to Turquoise Mountain through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). LINK: https://asia.si.edu/podcast/the-art-of-afghan-music-quraishi-rubab/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices