A Comparative Study of Healing-Religious Rituals in Mozambique and the Zar Tradition in the Southern Coasts of Iran (Hormozgan Province)
Subject Areas : Primitive religions
Sayyede Shaghayegh Hosseini Sarvary
1
*
,
Amirbahram Arabahmadi
2
1 -
2 - Academic Member Tehran University
Keywords: Spirit possession, Zar ritual, healing ceremonies, Mozambique, Hormozgan,
Abstract :
This study explores the cultural significance of spirit possession in Mozambique and the Zar tradition in southern Iran, emphasizing their roles in shaping social norms and beliefs. Drawing on anthropological discourse, it demonstrates how these practices provide frameworks for understanding mystical phenomena within their cultures. In Mozambique, spirit possession involves interactions with ancestral spirits and manifests through behavioral changes, while the Zar ritual in Iran consists of therapeutic ceremonies for individuals afflicted by malevolent spirits. The research compares these practices to reveal their cultural and social similarities, suggesting they may stem from historical interaction and adaptation. By examining these traditions, the study addresses broader questions about the persistence of social structures and cultural identity. The primary focus is on the parallels between these rituals, with secondary questions exploring the social contexts that sustain them. Ultimately, the findings highlight the complex interplay between cultural identity and socio-anthropological frameworks, illustrating shared features of these healing traditions in both regions.
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