Hermitix Tahra Bay and Dr Dahesh: A Forgotten History of the Occult with Raphael Cormack
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Sep 3, 2025 Raphael Cormack, a British writer and Arab world scholar, delves into the lives of Tahra Bay and Dr. Dahesh, two enigmatic figures from early 20th-century spiritualism. He explores the vibrant occult scene in 1920s Cairo, highlighting its dance between mysticism and entertainment. Discover how Tahra Bay's performances blended identity and exploitation amid crises. The conversation also reveals the rise of Daheshism, the intriguing parallels between djinn summoning and hypnotism, and the fascinating cultural tapestry of 1960s Beirut.
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Occult Was Widespread In Interwar Arab Culture
- Raphael Cormack found occult practices deeply embedded in 1920s–30s Arab popular culture, from cabarets to theatres.
- He argues Western histories often overlook this international, mobile occult scene tied to modernity and migration.
Define Occult As A Historical Movement
- Cormack treats 'the occult' as a historical phenomenon rather than a tight definition starting around 1848 with the Fox sisters.
- He includes practices that explain what performers and spiritualists claimed they were doing historically.
Tahra Bey: Armenian Fakir Turned Celebrity
- Tahra Bey (born Krikor Kalfayan) arrived in Athens in 1923 claiming fakir powers like controlling heart rate and surviving burial.
- He became a sensation, moved to Paris in 1925, and staged dramatic demonstrations mixing performance and spiritual claims.
