A general term applied in Ethiopia, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, Iran and other North African and middle eastern societies to the experience of spirits possessing an individual. Persons may experience dissociative episodes, show apathy and social withdrawal, or develop a long-term relationship with the possessing spirit. Such behavior is not considered to be pathological in these cultures.
A culture-bound illness specific to Northern Africa and the Middle East in which people are possessed by evil spirits. The disease has characteristics reminiscent of the Western illness known as dissociative identity disorder.