The function of Limiya among women of the Safavid era

Khatmi, Zhale; Kiany, Mohammad Ghorban; Shafei, Keyvan

doi:10.22103/jic.2025.24193.1372

The function of Limiya among women of the Safavid era

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of History, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

² Department of History, Sanandaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

10.22103/jic.2025.24193.1372

Abstract

Belief in Limiya as one of the branches of Occult sciences has always existed throughout history and has a special place in the cultural heritage of societies.Throughout history, women have been one of the main actors of Limiya and according to the educational role they had,they have passed it on to the next generation.In the society of the Safavid era,women used various types of limiya, especially charms and amulets,to fulfill their social role and to achieve their goals and desires.This research seeks to find the answer to the question:What was the function of Limiya among the women of the Safavid era and what factors caused the women of this era to turn to Limiya and Limiya brokers?

The findings of this research,which was carried out with the descriptive-analytical method and the use of library resources,indicated that the women of the Safavid era were faced with a series of events and experiences different from the experience of men along with their roles.In the social stratification of the Safavid era,women were under the influence of the hegemonic values of the patriarchal system, and their position depended on being assigned to men. Gender discrimination and the prevalence of polygamy in the Safavid society and the wifely and maternal functions of women in the position of a woman made them face personal and social crises and because they did not know scientific,logical and conventional solutions to get out of them,they did not know extraordinary things,including Limiya for They resorted to solving their own problems.

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