Conclusions

Summary

The foregoing material concerning song provides further insights into how the symbolic and aesthetic elements of possession are integrated into the socio-political system. Regardless of the order of the songs, there is a pattern pervasive throughout all spirit possession rituals. First, at the beginning of the rite, the possessed person always lies prone under a blanket. At many rituals, slower-paced songs might be performed during this period; as the songs and drumming quicken and become more elaborate, the patient rises to a sitting position and begins shaking her head from side to side, slowly at first, and then faster and more vigorously. But — and this is the second aspect of the pattern — the possessed person almost always remains seated, facing the drummer and surrounded on one side by the women's chorus and on the other by the general audience. (The sole exceptions I noticed were at Chimo's ritual in the oasis, and at a single rite in the caravanning village of my residence.) Possession songs often last from two to three hours. Alongside them, and sometimes interspersed into their verses, much joking and flirting occur, usually between chorus and audience, which provokes spontaneous, improvised responses to immediate situations and persons present, as well as more generalized commentary.