isangoma Definition
a traditional healer or diviner in the Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa and Ndebele cultures of southern Africa.
Using isangoma: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "isangoma" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The isangoma uses herbs and rituals to heal people.
Example
She went to see an isangoma to help her with her dreams.
Phrases with isangoma
ukuthwasa
the process of becoming an isangoma, which involves a period of training and initiation
Example
He underwent ukuthwasa to become an isangoma.
inyanga
a traditional healer who specializes in herbal medicine and physical healing
Example
The isangoma referred her to an inyanga for her physical ailments.
umkhapho
a ritual performed by an isangoma to communicate with the ancestors and seek their guidance
Example
The isangoma performed umkhapho to ask for guidance on the community's problems.
Summary: isangoma in Brief
'Isangoma' [ee-suhng-goh-muh] refers to a traditional healer or diviner in the Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa and Ndebele cultures of southern Africa. They use herbs and rituals to heal people and provide guidance. The process of becoming an isangoma is called 'ukuthwasa,' and they may refer patients to an 'inyanga' for physical healing. Isangomas perform 'umkhapho' to communicate with the ancestors and seek their guidance.