The article describes a cultural pattern related to altered states of consciousness, observed amongst new immigrants from Ethiopia to Israel. The belief in possession by Zar spirits is one of the most common possession phenomena in Africa and in other continents. Possession by Zar is expressed by a wide range of behaviors, such as involuntary movements, mutism and incomprehensible language. Such behavior can be misinterpreted as representing symptoms of neuralgic or psychiatric disorders. We demonstrate the Zar phenomenon by a description of a detailed case. The article discusses the cultural and anthropological aspects of the Zar and its clinical implications and suggests that the Zar phenomenon should be understood as a culture-bound syndrome. © 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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anthropology Delusions immigrant Diagnosis, Differential Israel Magic Sick Role human Ethnic Groups language mental disease Humans female Behavior Religion and Psychology cultural factor symptom Article Ethiopia adult involuntary movement Emigration and Immigration Cultural Characteristics mutism consciousness Somatoform Disorders Patient Care Team