This article describes and analyzes some 40 case reports of contempora
ry spirit possession in Chuuk. The possession-trance complex of today
shows continuity with distinct features of the now defunct status of t
he medium (waanaanu): trance, calling the spirits of deceased kin, and
spirits descending and addressing the assembled kin-folk. through the
changed voice of the host. But recent spirit possession is not posses
sion-trance on demand; it is spontaneous and sudden, arising from the
felt stress of the individual. Family problems are the focus of today'
s cases. We view the possession-trance complex as culturally sanctione
d communication of prohibited expression about family and kinship prob
lems. As a response to stress, cases of female possession appear posit
ively functional when compared with male drinking. Contemporary Chuuk
possession-trance is, therefore, a remarkable adaptation of former way
s applied to new situations, functioning as a kind of family therapy.