"Regional Music of Iran 15 ( Music in Nobân and Zâr )" - Bâbâ Darvish and Mâmâ Hanif

Bâbâ Darvish and Mâmâ Hanif

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Ceremonies or rituals related to exorcism, or possession, take place in some areas on the coasts of the Persian Gulf, in southern Iran. The people who believe and indulge in these rituals form part of the black community, originally brought to Iran from East Africa. It is believed that evil spirits take possession of a person, and make him or her physically and mentally sick, in severe cases to the point of madness. These evil spirits are known as 'bâd's, meaning wind in persian, and the most well-known and numerous amongst them come under two main categories, known as zâr and nobân, the former considered dangerous, obnoxious and on believing, and the latter, less harmful, more benign and believers, in this case, moslems. Each wind has a name, an origin, a country, a personal character and identity. In order to rid the possessed person of these winds, a ceremony takes place which can last for many days, with view to make the wind reveal its identity. Music plays the most important part throughout the procedures. The persons who officiate as exorcists are known as bâbâ and mâmâ, and are also proficient in singing and, in most cases, playing.