Difference between revisions of "Witch doctor"

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Secondly, and more commonly today, refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.  
 
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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See also [[Shaman]] and  [[Sangoma]].
 
See also [[Shaman]] and  [[Sangoma]].

Revision as of 06:43, 17 June 2014

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, refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.


See also Shaman and Sangoma.

Called a Toordokter in Afrikaans


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