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ZAR
Zar [pagan religion] is the possesion by a spirit.

The belief in being possessed by the "Zar" spirit is widespread in East and Central Africa, particularly in Sudan and Ethiopia. Zar is well known in Africa. Zar is being possed by spirits.Zar is commomly known to happen in women. Zar is a ceremony where ancestores of people beleive that possession is a way of healing. Zar is well known in central Africa and praticed by many in that country. Many cultures practice zar. They believe that Zar could come upon the host at anytime.It is commonly know in middle age women.

"The Zar is best described as a "healing cult" which uses drumming and dancing in its ceremonies. It also functions as a sharing of knowledge and charitable society among the women of these very patriarchal cultures".

Zar is a culture bound syndrome that originated in Ethiopia. It is an ancient healing ritual that placates a possessing spirit to rid an individual of diseases caused by the spirit.

"Zar is the cause of almost all somatic and mental disturbances. Zar exorcism, rituals, language and the clinical syndromes of 13 cases of Zar possession treated in Africa's outpatient clinic are described".

Symptoms
Those affected believe they are:
 * Possessed by a spirit
 * Experience dissociative episodes when they shout, laugh, weep, sing or hit their heads on the   wall.
 * Become apathetic
 * Withdrawn and unable to carry out daily tasks.
 * Some develop a relationship with the possessing spirit
 * It may not be considered pathological.

History
Jews living in Ethiopia, as well as those who have immigrated to Israel. According to this belief, being possessed by Zar is the cause of almost all somatic and mental disturbances. Zar exorcism, rituals, language and the clinical syndromes of 13 cases of Zar possession treated in our outpatient clinic are described. Of the 13, 8 were neurotic and the rest atypical psychotics, who except for 1, remitted quickly. Of the 13, 9 were married, 6 were males and 8 were 40 or older. All had a history of Zar possession while still in Ethiopia, and in the immediate families of 8 there were others with a history of Zar possession. 8 of the cases spoke in a peculiar "Zar language." In all cases the new episode of Zar possession appeared during the first 2 years of living in Israel. The differential diagnosis of DSM-III R categories in relation to Zar possession illness, and anthropological and sociopsychological implications of the illness in Israel as compared to Ethiopia are discussed. According to an accepted theory, Zar possession is found in the weaker strata of Amharic society. In Ethiopia, therefore, it was the women who were usually affected. In Israel, there has been a dramatic emancipation of the Ethiopian woman, and men were relegated to lower status. For these reasons, in Israel it is the men among the Ethiopian immigrants who are more susceptible to the condition. We find it important to combine both traditional and modern therapeutic modalities in treating Zar possession. more susceptible to the condition. We find it important to combine both traditional and modern therapeutic modalities in treating Zar possession.

Treatments
Many Middle Eastern people believe that the only way to treat Zar is by getting help from the Witch doctor. In Nigeria fasting, debilitation, starvation, and flogging were use to treat Zar.This would lead to many deaths.