Dreams creatures of the mind: theories and functions of the dream experience
Since ancient times man has been wondering aboutorigin and meaning of dreams, being attracted by its intimate and fascinating nature, but intimidated by the halo of mystery in which it has always been wrapped.
Anthropological studies report that some tribes believed that during dreams the soul left the body to travel the world, and that it would return only upon awakening. For this reason it was forbidden to wake people up suddenly, because the soul could be in another place. Even today the Masai tribes of Kenya and the Bedouins of the Nile use to wrap their heads with a turban during sleep to prevent the soul from flying away.