| Abstract | Within the last three decades there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of spirit possession in northwest Madagascar. This is particularly evident in the polycultural, migrant town of Ambanja, where young women are highly visible as mediums for tromba spirits. The most intriguing and problematic of these spirits are young playboys (and, occasionally, prostitutes), since they defy structural definitions of what these spirits should be. Older, more established spirits are royal ancestors, their genealogical ties acknowledged and preserved by royalty, their retainers, and spirit mediums. In contrast, the structural position of these young playboys is weak or questionable, either because they died in the prime of youth before accomplishing anything significant, or because their ties to royalty are affinal rather than consanguinal. Closer inspection reveals that these youthful spirits offer creative social commentaries that in turn enhance the localized sentiment that they are better suited for addressing problems inherent in a Madagascar urban community. Spirit possession, as performed and embodied knowledge, allows for displays of historical interpretation, revealing indigenous critiques of rapid social change and current intergenerational conflicts that characterize this Madagascar community.
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