Les cultes de possession avec transes au Niger

Abstract

Trance possession cults in the republic of Niger. Trance possessions cults (waasan boorii/holey hoori) appear only in cultural areas which have undergone certain types of external aggression (various acculturation shocks subsequent to the expansion of Islam and notably as a result of colonial conquest). These cultural shocks have given rise to disturbances in the system of representation and traditional values ; these disturbances are due to the introduction of new systems of reference ; however, these elements are reintegrated according to local criteria. As a disturbed element (a crisis of self-représentation), the cult devotee is the expression of a disturbed social order (a crisis of the group-identity) from which comes the necessity of initiation rites to reconcile the being with himself, and also with the others, through the protecting divinities. These devotees of possession cults are mainly female and to a lesser extent male although no sexual segregation is practised in the recruitment of would-be devotees. The devotee's personality presents certain characteristic features : a daring temperament, a tendency to extroversion, to suggestibility, to theatrical attitudes and sexual disorders for both sexe, and female sterility. These trance possession cults correspond to a protecting system against anguish.