culture-bound syndromes
concepts
Zar is an ancient healing practice based on a folk belief that possession by alien spirits can cause disease and that disease can be managed by the ceremonial placation of the possessing spirits. The word zar is used in reference to the type of possessing spirit, the illness it inflicts on humans, and the rituals performed to pacify it. [Source: Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology; Culture-Bound Syndromes: Zar]
zar