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This article refers to elements from The Dune Encyclopedia Pages for this subject as it appears in other canons:
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The Mahdi (Fremen: “The One Who Will Lead Us to Paradise”) is the name given by the Fremen to their savior in messianic legend.
History[]
Origin[]
While the origin of the terran word "Mahdi" is not known precisely (thought to come from Arabic, "المهدي", al-Mahdi, lit. “The Guided One”),[1] such a concept occurs repeatedly among peoples who suffer alien oppression in their own land. Few examples of the Mahdian expectancy survive from the time prior to the coming of Paul Muad'Dib to Arrakis (Rakis). Even the records of Princess Irulan remain fragmentary and some chapters of the Orange Catholic Bible indicate that the power of messianic imagery was felt in the most ancient religious conceptions. The Mahdian expectancy in these texts often seems to combine spiritual with warlike components. Evidently any harshness of existence seems to promote a Utopian mentality which in turn seeks a total solution to unlivable circumstances. For this solution to emerge, a solitary figure of heroic proportions most provide absolute leadership.
During the Old Imperium[]
Comparative interplanetary socio-historic research has produced a significant body of well-founded mathematical data on the crucial transformational point at which a people will yearn for "Mahdi surrender." It has even been suggested that the ancient Bene Gesserit were able to use some of the earliest scholarship in this area to develop their Missionaria Protectiva, but this concept has been disputed in the literature. Kreber's now classic work, SocSystem of the Bene Gesserit (Diana: Tevis) suggests that they operated in the earliest millennia without use of scholarly materials. Firm evidence indicates that the Mahdi expectancy affected many planets in the old Imperium in addition to Arrakis. Another case for which fragmentary knowledge is available is that of Siego, a mountain world with a small but fierce population who experienced a strong Mahdian expectancy after generations of subjugation under the infamous rule of a Harkonnen fief. While little is known of the outcome of the murderous struggle, the fanatic zeal of the Siegans under their Mahdi Ogur remains legendary.
In Fremen Mythology[]
The Fremen of Dune in the era immediately prior to the coming of the House Atreides were inspired both by the dream of Liet-Kynes' ecological paradise and by the idea of one who would deliver them to such a paradise. External social conditions were quite ripe for the appearance of a true Mahdi. Harkonnen oppression, particularly under Beast Rabban, had steeled the Fremen flesh and will. The Fremen character also provided fertile ground for the acceptance of The One with the special gift. Strong discipline to obey legitimate authority had been deeply inculcated into the Fremen personality. Shifting alliances from the traditional authority of the Naibs to Mahdian authority, while complex, could be effectively accomplished within the scheme of Fremen social psychology.
In fact, when Paul Muad'Dib made himself known as the Mahdi (although he left the labelling for others) he sought only the ascendancy he required to deliver the people. He seems to have met less resistance than might have been anticipated. Paul's unique gifts along with the carefully laid prophecy made it possible to obtain the compliance of the Naibs. He made sure that the basic autonomy of each sietch remained. Not only did he thus guarantee that the Naibs would not feel displaced, but he prevented the disruption of existing socio-cultural patterns within each sietch. Thus, Paul subtly used the expectation of a messiah to establish himself in an authoritative position providing spiritual and military leadership over the Fremen while maintaining the existing strengths of the people.
See also[]
Further references[]
- Komplar Kreber, SocSystem of the Bene Gesserit (Diana: Tevis)
- Chal Hardolau, Religion Ungirded: The Mountain Wars of Siego (Salusa Secundus: Kiski).
Notes[]
- ↑ Note: In the context of The Dune Encyclopedia, the origin of the word has been lost to history. Outside of the Duniverse, this is, in fact, the origin of the term.