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Overview
Prince Sidi Muhammed follows the trail of a sheikh’s daughter and comes instead to the castle of a man-eating being. Three girls warn him to leave before its owner returns and eats him. The prince waits until sunset. On arrival the creature challenges him; they draw swords and fight. Muhammed throws his opponent to the ground and prepares to kill him. The defeated being asks to be spared and offers lifelong and otherworldly allegiance. He later refuses to remain behind, insisting upon accompanying his new master. Their three-day stay at the castle thus changes the threatening host into a travelling ally.
They reach the sheikh’s camp during the daughter’s wedding to another suitor. Riding through the settlement, the companion lifts her onto Muhammed’s horse and they flee. When the people pursue, he raises an enemy horse by its hind feet and swings it against them, knocking down fifty at a blow; the account says he kills the attackers. They return to his castle for three days, then bring its three girls and the abducted bride to Muhammed’s father. The father desires the women and orders his son killed. His agents blind the prince instead, while the companion remains guarding the women and allows access only to his master.
Two soldiers sent by the king are killed when the guardian uses one to strike the other. Successively larger forces meet the same fate. Meanwhile Muhammed regains sight after overhearing two speaking doves and returns disguised beneath a goat skin. He joins the fighting against his own companion, who recognises the unfamiliar warrior’s resemblance to his master’s style. The girls suggest an orange as a recognition test. Muhammed catches and kisses it, then removes the disguise. The reunited allies return to the palace; Muhammed kills his father and becomes king. The companion’s final role is reunion rather than another death, and the separate doves supply the information enabling the prince’s restoration.
Origins & earliest records
Hans Stumme, Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt (Leipzig, 1895), tale 7, Die Geschichte von einem Könige und seinem Sohne; der hiess Sidi Muhammed und raubte die Tochter des Beduinen-Scheichs: complete German pp. 86–92. Dictating contributor Abdulla Ben Mhammed; recording context Preface v–vi.
Records & interpretation
Entire German tale 7 read through princely accession, including the defeated host’s oath, violent bride abduction, blinding, restored sight/butter-making disguise, escalating palace attacks and recognition. Translation calls the companion Teufel and Schwarze; no distinct modern religious species or racial people is inferred.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt
Tale 7, whole German pp. 86–92; contributor/collection Preface v–vi.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary collected Tashelhit transcription with German translationOriginal bilingual collection: Sidi Muhammed and the Sheikh’s DaughterResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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