Sangoma

This can have two related meanings,

Firstly it may refer to someone with psychic and prophetic powers, a practitioner of ceremonial magic, utilizing a system of occult techniques for healing and spiritual development in an individual and/or community, also used to promote and or social cohesion. In this sense the witch doctor was a powerful and influential member of society, in the same way a court magician or shaman may have been in other cultures.

Secondly, and more commonly today, this refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers. In this sense often referred to as a Witch doctor colonial writings and culture, not always in a positive sense.

See also Shaman and Magician.