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18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Sangoma

Traditional healers don’t only fulfil a healing role in the community, but also social and political roles, due to their healing, medicinal and herbal knowledge, but most of all because of their divine connection with the ancestors. There are many different traditional healers in South Africa, from herbal healers to healers that focus on divination. Traditional healers that have a connection with the ancestors of the community or tribe are called sangomas. For harmony between the living and the dead, which is the key ingredient for a trouble-free life, sangomas believe that the ancestors must be shown respect through rituals and animal sacrifice. They perform summoning rituals and sacrifice animals to receive good fortune in return. They go in trance in order to receive messages about the future as well as guidance and advice from the ancestors. Sangomas are seen in South African communities as the link with the ancestors and ancient spirits, who can have a big influence on the well-being.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: South Africa
Camera: NIKON D800
Copyright: © Frank Trimbos