SI'LAH

SI’LAH

"The si‘lah is a variant of the ghul. This djinn is often referred to in the feminine. She resides in jungles and thickets and lays in ambush for her victims. She is described as a wicked and sadistic djinn who tortures her prey, plays games with him, and makes him dance before consuming him."

"The si’luwa is a variant of the s’ilah from Iraq. She is a water demon or water spirit that inhabits the rivers, streams, and canals of Mesopotamia. She has the shape of a woman and is covered in long hair, has pendulous breasts that hang down to her knees, and in some accounts, she is described as having a fishtail instead of legs. She both sets traps for and hunts humans to eat and also seeks human lovers. Local beliefs state that the si’luwa is the product of the intermingling of humans with river demons."
Adam Ali, Demons, Djinns, and Devils of the Medieval Islamic World

This djinn really reminded me of European lake and river monsters like Jenny Greenteeth, Nelly Longarms, the sirens or the Slavic rusalka. A creepy woman that is ready to pull you into the water and drown you that's really just a cautionary tale to warn kids away from playing near rivers and lakes.

While the description from Adam Ali is amazing and the basis for my illustration, I found very little depictions of the si'lah that match. They're usually represented as beautiful women that trick you into going into a pond. I prefer the creepier grotesque version.

I'll be back next week with a real interesting creature straight from the pages of the Quran.