Amoonlit Night: Fairy Practice in the Two Bengals

Abstract: This article investigates a topic seldom discussed in either Indology or comparative mythology, namely the popular practice of conversing with spirits called “fairy” or “pori” (Bengali parī ) in the folklore of the two Bengals (Bangladesh and West Bengal, India). Using a combination of textual, linguistic, and ethnographic data, it shows that fairy-conversations are a culturally entangled site in which the phenomenon of speaking with spirits can readily be perceived and engaged. Beginning with some etymological and historical considerations of the Bengali word parī , including its connotations in English and Persian, it then analyzes two interviews with someone who has claimed to regularly see these beings in Bangladesh. The article then treats their connection to Tantric literature and practice ( sādhan , also sādhanā ) and, at the end of the article, analyzes the phenomenon of YouTube videos that teach “Fairy Practice” ( parī sādhan ). The findings of this research show that, while there can be many motivations for calling spirits, such as to control spiritual forces for personal gain or to attack enemies or to obtain a beautiful lover and secret friend, a less explored motivation is an innocent fascination with the unseen world and a sincere curiosity to communicate with it.