Hamadsha

The Hamadsha is a pair of close Muslim fraternities (though it has male (called Hamdushi) and female (called Hamdushiyya) adherents) that practices a possession rite in Morocco, notably by some Black Moroccans, and using music influenced by Gnawa music. It is primarily therapeutic in nature, and either cures people of affliction or gives them a new social role to inhabit (or both). It may be described as a form of maraboutism, Muslim saint worship, which is popular in the Maghreb.

It is similar to the zar and Bori possession practices, with roots in Sufism. It was founded by the saints Sidi 'Ali ben Hamdush (his order being 'Allaliyyin) and Sidi Ahmed Dghugi (his order being Dghugiyyin). Sidi Ahmed was Sidi 'Ali's servant or slave. They are both buried near Meknes; Sidi 'Ali in a large tomb near Beni Rachid, and Sidi Ahmed in Beni Ouarad. About 1/6th of each village claims descent from the respective saint (or one of his brothers, in Sidi Ali's case, as he is often said to have died childless), as well as the Prophet, and called wulad siyyid (children of the saint) and shurfa (sing. sharif, a word denoting descent from the Prophet Muhammad). These descendents have the option of joining the Hamadsha, but they typically do not. Both the Gnawa and Hamadsha go on pilgrimage to Sidi 'Ali's tomb, at the same time, the week of mussem (the celebration of Muhammad's birth), though on different routes.

Those treated by the Hamadsha may also become members. Members usually consider themselves to be Sunni Muslims. The membership of the Hamadsha is subdivided into teams called taifa, which may have a specific meeting place called a zawiya.