Reddit reviews Mischief in Fez

I know what this is, from a book titled, "Mischief in Fez", by Eleanor Hoffmann.

Despite being Muslim, and Wahibbist Islam having very strong prohibitions against belief in spirits, Djinn or demons, such beliefs are still very powerful in these parts of the world.

Such beings can be friendly and helpful, mischievous and annoying, or downright lethal and murderous. They're often regarded as being very powerful, and best avoided as much as possible.

However, according to the author, all spirits in that part of the world consider the smell of gunpowder to be exceptionally offensive. They also hate the loud noise.

In the story, after young Prince Moussa achieved victory and saved the day, his father, the sultan, went through every room in the palace, firing a musket. It was the final "boot in the backside" to the evil spirits that had been infesting the palace, driving them out permanently. It's noteworthy that the Sultan originally caused all of this grief by neglecting to observe that very practice, when he married a Demon-in-Disguise.

"Mischief in Fez" was written in 1943, and was based on the author's extensive knowledge and experience from living in Morocco and the Middle East between 1924 to 1932. And here we are, seeing the same practice, being performed today.

So there you go. A very old tradition of driving out evil spirits after celebrating a wedding, using black powder blanks.