Meaning of sangoma | Babel Free

Definitions

A (usually female) traditional healer or herbalist, or witch doctor.

Equivalents

Examples

“The Natal Zulu believes in witchcraft, prophesy, love⟳ philtres, and such like⟳. He is firmly fixed in his mind⟳ that the witch doctors and sangomas (female diviners) have⟳ power to bring⟳ rain⟳, to trace spells of witchcraft, to heal by incantation, and to perform⟳ sundry other wonders and miracles.”

“Sangoma is a type⟳ of healer rare in the surveyed area, but seems to be more common in other parts of Botswana. [...] In the majority of cases the Sangoma is a female, but some male Disangoma are found. The Sangoma would often, as a young person during a severe illness, be 'called' by the Badimo through a dream⟳ and then seek⟳ guidance and training from an elder Sangoma. [...] In some cases the Sangoma would specialise in some types of exorcism during which she would engage⟳ in singing, dancing and in some cases using her drum, often entering into a state of trance.”

“Sangomas nowadays tend⟳ to have⟳ at least two or three, and at times as many as fifteen or more, spirits that guide⟳ and assist them in their healing practice. Sangomas describe⟳ a division of labour among such spirits whereby each tends to have⟳ a specialized purpose, ranging from guidance in diagnosis to help⟳ in collecting overdue patient fees.”

“This case also attracted a large crowd – not to see⟳ me, but to find⟳ out whether the white man's laws could be applied to a sangoma.”

“The coffins eventually reached cold storage, where they were to lie⟳ for another six weeks. Enter⟳ the sangomas. The antidote for zombies requires that sangomas reunite the zomboid spirits with their bodies. A Cape Town sangoma told me that once she had danced herself into a trance, she was able to spiritually enter⟳ the cupboard and catch⟳ the zombies (who, she assured me, are terribly strong).”

“Lesedi was a sangoma, you know⟳. I think⟳ she tried to put⟳ a curse on me because I was spying on her. But I wasn't really spying, I just thought that she was nice and wanted her to be my friend and then I saw⟳ the mask and I didn't anymore.”

CEFR level