Difference between revisions of "Sangoma"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
Though they may be related, there is an essential difference between a [[Sangoma]], who is a diviner, and  an [[Inyanga]] who is a herbalist and traditional healer.
  
 +
This can have two related meanings in South Africa,
  
This can have two related meanings in South Africa,
+
[[Sangoma]] usually refers 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, and to promote social cohesion. In this sense the witch doctor was a revered, powerful and influential member of society, in the same way a court  [[Magician|magician]] or [[Shaman|shaman]] may have been in other cultures.
  
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, and to promote social cohesion. In this sense the witch doctor was a revered, powerful and influential member of society, in the same way a court  [[Magician|magician]] or [[Shaman|shaman]] may have been in other cultures.  
+
[[Inyanga]] on the other hand, refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.  
  
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]] in  colonial writings and culture, and not always in a positive sense in the more sensational writing.   
+
Both are referred to as a [[Witch doctor]]s in  colonial writings and culture (and not always in a positive sense in the more sensational writing).   
  
 
See also [[Shaman]] and  [[Magician]].
 
See also [[Shaman]] and  [[Magician]].

Revision as of 07:04, 17 June 2014

Though they may be related, there is an essential difference between a Sangoma, who is a diviner, and an Inyanga who is a herbalist and traditional healer.

This can have two related meanings in South Africa,

Sangoma usually refers 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, and to promote social cohesion. In this sense the witch doctor was a revered, powerful and influential member of society, in the same way a court magician or shaman may have been in other cultures.

Inyanga on the other hand, refers to a herbalist and traditional African healer, who may or may not also have psychic and prophetic powers.

Both are referred to as a Witch doctors in colonial writings and culture (and not always in a positive sense in the more sensational writing).

See also Shaman and Magician.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangoma

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

Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography

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