Nowadays in Mozambique there are dozens of churches of Zion. According to the Church’s belief, the evil spirits (demons) can possess anyone and should be excelled from the people. The Zion exorcism practices are usually conducted by “prophets” – special members of the religious community, who are granted the authority
over demons. The ceremonies take place in the churches during the “night of healing” or the Sunday liturgies, or in the open water. In the Mozambican capital, Maputo, on the 5 km long “Beach of Maziones”, those purifi cation ceremonies are held two times a week – every Thursday and Sunday. The exorcism rites are always accompanied by ritual singing and shouting conjures, and the people, who are possessed by “evil spirits”, most of the times, become unpredictably aggressive and dangerous. To protect other members from such violence, priests and “prophets” tie the feet and arms
of the possessed people with “tichakachakas” – special ropes, which, according to the Zion belief, have God’s power to hold demons.