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A century ago, pioneering psychiatrist Carl Jung had a wild encounter with the power of sound.

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"In a village on the way from Lake Albert to Rejaf in the Sudan we had a very exciting experience," Jung wrote in his book Memories, Dreams, Reflections. He goes on to describe his participation in a tribal drum and dance ritual. "Night had fallen... when we heard drums and horn blasts. Soon some sixty men appeared, martially equipped with flashing lances, clubs, and swords." A huge fire was built. Women and children began dancing around the fire, and the men formed an outer ring. Jung's guides and armed guards fled the scene. Jung continued:

"The men's chorus began to sing, vigorous, bellicose melodies, not unharmonious, and at the same time began to swing their legs.

"The women and children tripped around the fire; the men danced toward it, waving their weapons, then drew back again, and then advanced anew, amid savage singing, drumming, and trumpeting.

"It was a wild and stirring scene, bathed in the glow of the fire and magical moonlight.

"My English friend and I sprang to our feet and mingled with the dancers.

"I swung my rhinoceros whip, the only weapon I had, and danced with them.

"By their beaming faces I could see that they approved of our taking part.

"Their zeal redoubled; the whole company stamped, sang, shouted, sweating profusely.

"Gradually the rhythm of the dance and the drumming accelerated.... [T]heir excitement began to get out of bounds, and suddenly the whole affair took on a highly curious aspect.