The Caliph's House - A Year In Casablanca

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20060502

Frustrated with his cramped London lifestyle, travel writer Tahir Shah decides to set up home in Morocco.

But, when he buys the Caliph's house, he and his family discover they've got more than they'd bargained for: the property is looked after by three guardians who are convinced the house is full of ill-tempered jinns who don't want a new owner moving in on their territory.

Producer Kirsty Williams.

20060503

Tahir sets about renovating his new home and is beset by difficulties caused by a team of builders.

Manmade problems are followed by a host of natural plagues: rats, locusts and bees, not to mention the house's jinns, send out strong messages of displeasure.

So Tahir decides to appoint an assistant who has an uncanny knack of solving problems.

Together they seek out an antique bath during Ramadan - it is, he suggests, the perfect time for such a purchase.

Producer Kirsty Williams.

20060504

As the building work progresses, Tahir feels respect for the traditional skills of Moroccan workers.

Meanwhile, problems begin with the house's guardians as the shanty town they live in is threatened with demolition and they move to the Caliph's house.

But, after only a few days, and an inundation of unwanted visitors, they tire of their new home and decide to return to the shanty town, leaving the Shahs in peaceful bliss.

However, sickness hits the household.

When their doctor discovers they've all been poisoned because the guardians have been leaving daily offerings for the jinns in the well, he prescribes an exorcism.

Producer Kirsty Williams.

04 LAST

20060505

Tahir agrees to have an exorcism to get rid of the house's jinns: he visits a sorceress to advise him and then employs a team of exorcists, who seem to be very laid back about getting the job done.

But after a dose of hallucinogenic tea and some financial prompts, they eventually set to work and prepare to sacrifice a goat.

The exorcism is carried out and, despite himself, Tahir is in awe of the spiritual power it yields.

Producer Kirsty Williams.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20060502	Frustrated with his cramped London lifestyle, travel writer Tahir Shah decides to set up home in Morocco. But, when he buys the Caliph's house, he and his family discover they've got more than they'd bargained for: the property is looked after by three guardians who are convinced the house is full of ill-tempered jinns who don't want a new owner moving in on their territory. Producer Kirsty Williams.
02	20060503	Tahir sets about renovating his new home and is beset by difficulties caused by a team of builders. Manmade problems are followed by a host of natural plagues: rats, locusts and bees, not to mention the house's jinns, send out strong messages of displeasure. So Tahir decides to appoint an assistant who has an uncanny knack of solving problems. Together they seek out an antique bath during Ramadan - it is, he suggests, the perfect time for such a purchase. Producer Kirsty Williams.
03	20060504	As the building work progresses, Tahir feels respect for the traditional skills of Moroccan workers. Meanwhile, problems begin with the house's guardians as the shanty town they live in is threatened with demolition and they move to the Caliph's house. But, after only a few days, and an inundation of unwanted visitors, they tire of their new home and decide to return to the shanty town, leaving the Shahs in peaceful bliss. However, sickness hits the household. When their doctor discovers they've all been poisoned because the guardians have been leaving daily offerings for the jinns in the well, he prescribes an exorcism. Producer Kirsty Williams.
04 LAST	20060505	Tahir agrees to have an exorcism to get rid of the house's jinns: he visits a sorceress to advise him and then employs a team of exorcists, who seem to be very laid back about getting the job done. But after a dose of hallucinogenic tea and some financial prompts, they eventually set to work and prepare to sacrifice a goat. The exorcism is carried out and, despite himself, Tahir is in awe of the spiritual power it yields. Producer Kirsty Williams.