Among the most important healing ceremonies performed in Toba and Karo communities is that of recalling the "jinujung," or personal guardian spirit. According to Toba and Karo cosmology, each person receives a "jinujung" in childhood or at puberty and they keep it for life unless they are unfortunate enough to lose it, in which case they will fall ill. In order to call the "jinujung" back, a female "guru" ("guru sibaso" in Karo) goes into a trance and the "jinujung" will enter into her and speak through her mouth. At this time the sick person or the family can negotiate ritual payment to entice it to return.