There are a number of spirit possession complexes in Islamic societies in eastern Africa. Among the best known are the zar/saar found throughout northeastern Africa, the pepo or shetani complex found throughout the Swahili coast, and the trumba complex of the Comoro islands and Madagascar. Local names for the spirits, the belief systems, and therapeutic practices and organizations, however, can vary widely. Moreover, there are often no clear boundaries between types of spirit possession, and possession beliefs and practices overlap, penetrate, and influence one another.

Although…