Three years ago I learned I had a spiritual calling to be a Sangoma. From that moment on my life was forever changed. What does Sangoma mean? Sangomas are traditional South African healers who merge with their ancestors for the purpose of healing. Often thought as shamans of the community, being a Sangoma is a spiritual calling passed on to you by an ancestor who was also a Sangoma. Sangoma's can be either male or female however one cannot simply choose to be a Sangoma- it is a part of a spiritual contract made before being born into the physical world. I had never heard of Sangomas until I came face to face with the fullness of this powerful, spiritual gift. In South Africa they are revered and often consulted before seeking medical help. Sangomas are also recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and work side by side doctors to alleviate illnesses from a holistic approach. In the shamanic view, mental illness signals “the birth of a healer.” Thus, mental disorders are spiritual emergencies and spiritual crises that need to be regarded as such to aid the healer in being born. What those in the West view as mental illness, the Dagara people and many other African traditionalists regard as “good news from the other world.” The person going through the crisis has been chosen as a medium for a message to the community that needs to be communicated from the spirit realm. "Mental disorder, behavioral disorder of all kinds, signal the fact that two obviously incompatible energies have merged into the same field,” These disturbances result when the person does not get assistance in dealing with the presence of the energy from the spirit realm." -Dr. Malidoma Patrice Somé On my quest to heal myself from depression, seizures, and an unknown medical condition that plagued me since childhood I began to seek alternative spiritual help because western doctors were never able to explain why I would get terribly ill and find myself in the hospital for weeks at a time. I discovered just as Dr. Malidoma Somé's statement above expresses, that my symptoms are what is known as "the birth of a healer and the calling of the ancestors." As a Sangoma initiate born in the United States, who once suffered from what the western world would consider "mental illness", I realized there is a major disconnect with traditional healing modalities and western medicine. Many are misdiagnosed with mental illnesses when there is oftentimes a deeper spiritual issue at the root. There is a need in the United States and throughout the world for this work. I seek to be a bridge between the traditional and the modern approach to holistic wellness and bring awareness to those afflicted with the stigma of mental illnesses, yet the work of a Sangoma goes way beyond healing and alleviating illness. An apprentice sangoma, studies with a mentor for approximately two years and must learn how to prepare herbal medicines (muti), how to interpret dreams, how to incorporate spirits, how to diagnose illness through divination with bones, and how to heal both individual and generational, physical and spiritual illness. Through the ritual use of muti, steaming, purification, dreaming, and dancing in a trance-like state to drumming, the initiate becomes bound to their ancestors who have chosen them for this work. It is the mentor's responsibility to work with the ancestors, alleviating any conflicts or problems that are encountered.“Working in partnership with one's ancestors is a gift representing a close link with the spirit realm”. -Dr. Mama Kintu, Sangoma “To become a sangoma requires arduous and difficult training. The calling is regarded as a gift and a great honor. Most traditional healers practice with great humility and acknowledge that the source of their information is the ancestors." -Dr. David Cumes, Sangoma, Excerpt from the book "Africa In My Bones"This journey hasn’t been easy, it required I give away many comforts, time away from friends and family, yet I’ve still been blessed with some of the most incredible opportunities and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world. My spiritual calling has taken me to places I’d never imagine I’d be and now it is time to take all of what I’ve learned and complete my initiation! I will be going to South Africa in December for an 8 week journey to complete several rites and ceremonies for my graduation requirements which will end in a 2-3 day ceremony in front of elders and the Sangoma community in South Africa. I need your help to complete my initiation and graduate ceremony. As a fully graduated Sangoma priestess I will be given the tools and the responsibility to do spiritual work. I will be traveling to various parts of South Africa with my spiritual teacher and elder (Mkhulu) to complete the rites and secure items needed for my graduation ceremony. I am committed to this path and need the support of my community. Please assist me in reaching my goal of $2,500 so I can be fully prepared to serve as a spiritual advisor and ambassador for traditional African ancestral practices. Thokozani! (May you be well!) Ateyo "Nefermul Mas" NKanyezi
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