Ngoma Philosophy
Ngoma is a philosophy and healing tradition that is practiced by Sangomas and other traditional healers in Southern Africa.
Ngoma means drum, dance, or healing ceremony in many African languages. It is also used to refer to the philosophy and practice of healing that is based on a belief in ancestral spirits and the use of traditional African medicine.
Ngoma philosophy holds that humans are intrinsically exposed to each other and that this exposure can cause illness or misfortune. Exposure can be caused by social conflicts, spiritual attacks, environmental factors, or personal choices.
Ngoma philosophy also holds that humans have a vital force or life energy that can be affected by exposure. When the vital force is low or blocked, the person becomes ill or unhappy. When the vital force is high or flowing, the person becomes healthy or prosperous.
Ngoma healers also use music, dance, and drumming to induce a trance state in themselves and their patients. This trance state allows them to communicate with the ancestral spirits, access hidden knowledge, and facilitate healing.
iSangoma
A Sangoma is a highly respected healer among the Southern African people who diagnoses, prescribes, and often performs the rituals to heal a person physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. A Sangoma is a practitioner of ngoma, a philosophy based on a belief in ancestral spirits and the practice of traditional African medicine, which is often a mix of medicinal plants and various animal body fats or skin. The healing process usually involves divination, herbal medicine, and specific customized rituals to cure illness and restore well-being. An individual who is called to become a Sangoma must undergo a long and intensive initiation process that involves training under a mentor, learning the lore and skills of healing, and undergoing various tests and ceremonies.
To become a sangoma, one must follow these steps:
Receive a calling from the ancestors: This may happen in various ways, such as through dreams, illness, or visions. The individual may experience various symptoms, such as hearing voices, seeing spirits, or feeling a strong sense of purpose or mission.
Consult a Sangoma for confirmation: The individual must seek the advice of a qualified Sangoma who can confirm the calling and guide them through the next steps.
Undergo training and initiation: The individual must undergo a long and intensive process of training and initiation under the supervision of a mentor Sangoma. The training involves learning the lore and skills of healing, such as divination, herbal medicine, and rituals. The initiation involves connecting with the ancestors, undergoing spiritual and physical challenges, and receiving guidance and teachings from the more experienced Sangomas.
Graduate and serve the community: The individual must complete the training and initiation successfully and graduate as a Sangoma. They must then dedicate themselves to providing healing and guidance to their community and honoring their ancestors.
There are different types of Sangomas in Southern Africa, depending on their roles, skills, and methods of healing. Here are some of them:
Types of Sangomas
iSangomas: They are spiritual healers and are often women. They diagnose illness by communicating with the ancestral spirits through throwing bones, dreams, or visions. They also prescribe and perform rituals to heal the person.
iNyangas: They are herbalists and are often men. They use plants, animals, and minerals to make medicines that treat physical ailments. They also have knowledge of the medicinal properties of different substances.
uMthandazi: They are faith healers who use prayer and holy water to cure people. They also incorporate elements of Christianity into their healing practices.
iSanusi: They are diviners who can see into the future and reveal hidden things. They use various methods of divination, such as mirrors, water, or smoke. They also have a high level of spiritual power and authority.
iSangwe: They are healers who specialize in treating mental and emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. They use music, dance, and drumming to induce a trance state in the patient and facilitate healing.
Bone setters. A bone setter is a practitioner of bone manipulation who can restore broken bones to full functionality. They are not formally trained but rely on their experience and skills. Some people in Africa prefer bone setters to orthopaedic doctors because they are cheaper, more available, and more culturally acceptable. Bone setters may use herbs, roots, bark, rocks, animal horns, and bones to make their medicines.
Birth attendants. They are also called izinyanga zezalukazi or izinyanga zokubeletha. They are usually elderly women who have experience in delivering babies and use herbs, rituals, and techniques to assist pregnant women. They are respected and trusted by many African people.
These are some of the main types of Sangomas, but there are more variations depending on the region, culture, and tradition.
Sangoma Rituals
Sangoma rituals are ceremonies that are used to connect with ancestral spirits, diagnose and treat illnesses, and perform other functions. Here are some examples of Sangoma rituals:
Bone throwing: This is a divination method that involves throwing bones, shells, and other objects on the ground and interpreting their patterns and positions. The sangoma uses this ritual to communicate with the ancestors, identify the cause of a problem, and prescribe a solution.
Cleansing: This is a ritual that involves using herbs, water, fire, or animal products to cleanse a person, a place, or an aspect of life from bad spirits and demonic forces. The sangoma uses this ritual to remove negative influences, protect from harm, and restore balance.
Initiation: This is a ritual that involves undergoing various spiritual and physical challenges to become a sangoma. The sangoma trainee must follow the instructions of their mentor, perform certain tasks, and participate in ceremonies. The initiation ritual can last for months or years and marks the graduation of the sangoma.
Sacrifice: This is a ritual that involves offering an animal, such as a chicken, a goat, or a cow, to the ancestors. The sangoma uses this ritual to appease the ancestors, ask for their blessings, or thank them for their help. The animal is usually killed in a humane way and its meat is shared among the participants.
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