Mental Health Aspects of Zar for Women in Sudan

Bibliographic Data

ID11659463
AuthorsEdith H Grotberg (Ahfad University for Women, corresponding author)
Year1990
Volume10
Issue3
Pages15-24
Publication date1990-11-14
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueWomen & Therapy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0270-3149 • E-ISSN: 1541-0315
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j015v10n03_02
OpenAlexW2001418103
LanguageEN
Citations received8

Zar, an ancient cult in northern Africa, has developed in the Sudan and addresses many of the mental health problems of Sudanese women. The continuing and increasing participation in Zar ceremonies by Sudanese women probably results from the effectiveness of Zar as it as adapted to the unique needs of Sudanese women. The effectiveness of Zar is consistent with the effectiveness of mental health programs around the world, and, indeed, incorporates the universal concepts and assumptions of most successful mental health treatment programs. The universal concepts and assumptions are: (1) the client recognizes something is wrong and seeks help; (2) a theory is available to explain the problem; and (3) a therapy is used which includes a trusted leader, assumptions of client guiltnessness, a ritual of meetings and actions, and expected results. The Zar ceremony draws upon each of these concepts and assumptions, with the sheikha (priestess) being the leader, the blameless victim possessed by an evil spirit, a ritual of dancing, incense, and upheavals, particularly rural to urban movement, seem to account for the continuing increasing participation of Sudanese women in Zar ceremonies

Mental health · Psychotherapist · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Psychology

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