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. The Fremen of Dune in the era immediately prior to the coming of the House of 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. When, in fact, Paul Muad'Dib made himself known as the Mahdi, although he left the labeling for others, he sought onl> 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 autonom) 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 expecta- MAKER HOOKS tion 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. M.O. Farther references: Komplar Kreber, SocSystem of the Bene Gesserit (Diana: Tevts); Chal Hariolaa, Religion Ungirded: The Mountain Wan of Siege (Salusa Seomdus: Kiski). MAKER HOOKS. Devices named for the sandworms, or "makers" of Airakis, and used for capturing, mounting and steering the giant creatures. Probably more than any other device, the maker hooks are uniquely associated with Arrakis. Sandworms have survived nowhere else, and occasional examples of hooks that have turned up elsewhere have proved to be cheap imitations carried home from pilgrimages to Muad'Dib's plan- 371 MAKER HOOKS et during the immediate post-jihad period. At present there is no information about the origin of the maker hook or possible precedents. Fortunately, there are many good examples from Rakis itself, and each new find increases understanding of their characteristics.