Difference between revisions of "Witch doctor"
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| − | Called a [[Toordokter]] in [[Afrikaans]], | + | Called a [[Toordokter]] in [[Afrikaans]], |
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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. | + | The word can have two related meanings, and for this reason there are two terms in Nguni for this, namely a [[Sangoma]] (referring to a diviner) or an [[Inyanga]] (a herbalist) in Nguni languages. |
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| + | Firstly 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. | ||
Revision as of 07:08, 17 June 2014
Called a Toordokter in Afrikaans,
The word can have two related meanings, and for this reason there are two terms in Nguni for this, namely a Sangoma (referring to a diviner) or an Inyanga (a herbalist) in Nguni languages.
Firstly 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.
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