The Ancestral Possession. The Tromba Cult on the Island of Saint-Marie
Interdisciplinary Studies in Musicology May 18, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.14746/ism.2025.25.3 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
The tromba cult is a spirit possession ritual in Madagascar, especially on Sainte-Marie island. Based on 2024 fieldwork, the study describes how ancestral spirits (razana) possess participants during ceremonies. Music, using instruments like the valiha, accordion, and kaiamba rattles, creates polyrhythms that help induce and sustain trance states. The ritual originated among the Sakalava people and continues in contemporary forms, blending performance with religious practice.
Study at a glance
| Design | ethnography |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Music with polyrhythmic structures and vocal invocations is essential for inducing and sustaining trance states in the tromba spirit possession ritual. |
Abstract
The article examines the tromba cult – a spirit possession ritual practiced in Madagascar, with particular focus on the island of Sainte-Marie (Nosy Boraha). Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in July 2024, the study explores the cultural and religious context of ancestral possession, the structure and performance of tromba ceremonies, and the essential role of music in facilitating spirit possession. The research discusses the Malagasy belief system concerning ancestral spirits (razana), the historical origins of the tromba cult among the Sakalava people, and the ritual’s contemporary manifestations. Special attention is given to the musical elements of the ceremony, including the use of traditional instruments such as the valiha, accordion, and kaiamba rattles, and their function in inducing and sustaining trance states through polyrhythmic structures and vocal invocations. The article also addresses the performative nature of tromba.