What does marabout mean?
A marabout is a Muslim holy man, religious teacher, or spiritual leader, especially in West Africa. In Senegal, the term commonly denotes a respected Muslim religious figure whose influence may extend through religious instruction, spiritual guidance, and community leadership. The word reflects West African Islamic traditions and is often used respectfully in accounts of the region. In older American English, however, “marabout” was also applied to a leader or practitioner of Haitian Vodou. That usage is now dated and frequently regarded as disparaging because it belongs to a history of distorted Western representations of Vodou. Outside its specifically regional or historical senses, the word is uncommon in modern English. It should not be treated as a general synonym for priest, since its primary meaning is tied to Muslim religious and social roles in West Africa and Senegal. The term is especially useful when reading literature or history concerned with Islam, African societies, or the cultural reception of Haitian Vodou.
nounA Muslim holy man or religious teacher, especially in West Africa. In older American English, the term was also used for a practitioner of Haitian Vodou, usually with disparaging connotations.
- A Muslim holy man, religious teacher, or spiritual leader, especially in West Africa.
- A Muslim religious leader in Senegal.
- In older and often disparaging American usage, a practitioner or leader of Haitian Vodou.
"Villagers consulted the marabout for advice before beginning the long journey."
"The marabout blessed the new school before the ceremony began."
"The novel uses the term for a Haitian Vodou priest in a way that reflects dated American attitudes."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several marabouts attended the regional gathering."
The word originally referred to a devout Muslim ascetic, someone spiritually “bound” to religious devotion; it later came to denote a respected teacher or holy man.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marabout come from?
The English word comes through French marabout from Arabic murābiṭ, originally meaning a person bound or dedicated to religious devotion and, in particular, a Muslim ascetic. Its modern sense developed from the religious title of a holy man or teacher in West Africa. The Arabic word is associated with the same root found in ribat, the term for a fortified religious settlement or monastery.
How marabout is actually used
The West African sense is respectful and broadly used in relevant languages and scholarship. The older American sense is now uncommon and may be considered offensive because it reflects historically insensitive portrayals of Haitian Vodou. The spelling marabout and the pronunciation /ˈmærəbuːt/ are standard.