Difference between revisions of "Witch doctor"

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This can have two related meanings,  
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According to [[Wikipedia]] the word [[witch doctor]] (also spelled [[witch-doctor]]) was originally a type of healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to healers, particularly in regions which use traditional healing rather than contemporary medicine.
  
Firstly it may refer to someone with psychic and prophetic powers, a practitioner of [[Ceremony|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|magician]] or [[Shaman|shaman]] may have been in other cultures.  
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However, it can have two related meanings in many cultures, and for this reason there my be more than one word referring to the general practice.  
  
Secondly, and more commonly today, refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.
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The term [[witch doctor]] is called a '''[[toordokter]]''' in [[Afrikaans]],  
  
See also [[Shaman]] and  [[Sangoma]].
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For example there are two distinct terms in Nguni for this, namely it may refer to a diviner ([[Sangoma]]), someone with psychic and prophetic powers, a practitioner of [[Ceremony|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|magician]] or [[Shaman|shaman]] may have been in other cultures.
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Secondly, and more commonly today, refers to a herbalist ([[Inyanga]]) and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.
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See also '''[[Shaman]]''' and  '''[[Sangoma]]'''.
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==Sources==
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_doctor
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[South African Film /Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[South African Media/Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 21:02, 15 January 2024

According to Wikipedia the word witch doctor (also spelled witch-doctor) was originally a type of healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to healers, particularly in regions which use traditional healing rather than contemporary medicine.

However, it can have two related meanings in many cultures, and for this reason there my be more than one word referring to the general practice.

The term witch doctor is called a toordokter in Afrikaans,


For example there are two distinct terms in Nguni for this, namely it may refer to a diviner (Sangoma), 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, refers to a herbalist (Inyanga) and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.


See also Shaman and Sangoma.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_doctor


Return to

Return to The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Film /Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Media/Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page