sangoma

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Zulu isangoma.

Noun

sangoma (plural sangomas)

1. (South Africa) A witch doctor, traditional herbalist, or traditional healer.
   • 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 176:

     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.

   • 2003, Brett Bailey, The Plays of Miracle & Wonder, page 33:

     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.

Translations

witch doctor — see witch doctor

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Afrikaans

Etymology

Borrowed from Zulu isangoma.

Noun

sangoma (plural sangomas)

1. A sangoma, a witch doctor.