The Zar Spirit Possession Cult
The Zar cult is a widespread spirit possession tradition found throughout Sudan, Egypt, and the Horn of Africa, blending pre-Islamic African beliefs with Islamic Sufi practices. According to tradition, zar spirits are invisible beings created from smokeless fire who can possess humans, causing illness, infertility, or psychological distress. The spirits are organized into 'nations' reflecting historical periods: Darawish (Sufi holy men), Pashawat (Ottoman nobility), Khawajat (Europeans), Habbash (Ethiopians), Arabs, and Zirug (Black African warriors). Each spirit has specific demands for cloth