In 2016 we visited the Egyptian Center for Culture and Art to witness a traditional Zar ceremony that has roots in Egyptian and Bedouin customs. Our Arabic instructor told us that Zars are considered taboo rituals by many Egyptians, due to the ceremony's pagan roots. The Zar is intended to rid a person of spirit possession, fight against the evil eye, and cleanse negativity. Traditional Zar music is also ...

We visited Al Makan in January 2016 on our second trip to Cairo, Egypt. The Egypt Center for Culture and Art (its website can be found here) hosts a traditional Zar in an effort to preserve traditional Egyptian music and Bedouin traditions. A Zar is a traditional ceremony that intends to cleanse away negativity and evil spirits. As our Arabic language instructor told us, many Egyptians consider Zars to be ...