User:Mikewightman/sandbox

Zar (North African and Middle Eastern societies) Those affected believe they are possessed by a spirit, and may experience dissociative episodes when they shout, laugh, weep, sing or hit their heads on the wall. They may also become apathetic, withdrawn and unable to carry out daily tasks. Some develop a relationship with the possessing spirit. It may not be considered pathological (ref 1). In Sudan and certain other East African cultures Zar healing ceremonies are conducted involving possession mostly of Muslim women by a Zar spirit (ref 2). Some people affected by Zar also includes a loss of interest in food. Zar is also is not necessarily considered pathological locally (ref 3). Zar ceremonies are still held in Egypt today. (ref 4) It is important to note that Zar is strictly prohibited by the Islamic religion [1]

references- [1]http://rjg42.tripod.com/culturebound_syndromes.htm [2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_possession [3]http://www.reintegration.com/today/index.asp?pid=147 [4]http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/zar.htm [5]http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/culture-synd(Added by Kellye Green) [6]http://www.bdancer.com/zarrevis.html(Added by Andrea M)