About the XHOSA sangoma lineage
Image provided by South African Tourism
The Xhosa nation is one of the largest ethnic groups in South Africa, with notable members such as Desmond Tutu, Neslon Mandela and Steve Biko to name a few (see below).
The Xhosa culture is part of the larger Nguni tribe connected to the Zulu, Matabele (in Zimbabwe), Swazi and Shangaan. What makes the Xhosa culture unique is their inter-marriage with local Hottentot and San Bushmen hunter-gatherers along the coastal regions of Southern Africa. This is evident in the clicks found in their language. The Bushmen people of Southern Africa are reputed to be the oldest indigenous group in the world.
xhosa Sangomas
The sangoma medicine people have a unique medicine tradition based on their hunter-gatherer ancestors (Bushmen). This is seen in the length of training time to become a senior sangoma. When John Lockley asked his teacher MumNgwevu why traditional Xhosa apprenticeship takes so long (5-20 years) she replied “we have many ancestors, and many different habitats like sea, forest, bush, river and caves to honor”.