NTHATENG SETHEMANE
Participant
In Exodus 3, the Lord instructed Moses to remove his sandals because he was standing on hallowed ground. When they enter their spiritual places, members of the Zion church adhere to the barefoot rule stated in the scriptures. Psalms 149–150 mention singing and playing musical instruments to praise God; the Zion church contains a cow-skin drum and shakers made of tin and tiny rocks. When older people couldn’t afford to buy the instruments, they made their own instead, and the tradition has persisted ever since. These self-made instruments have grown to be considered a tradition among Zionists.
The Zionist dress code was created as a uniform to identify the church each person belongs to. The various colors also represent a person’s ancestors or angel guardians. The many hues represent various spiritual meanings and can foretell a person’s spiritual gift, healing, and prosperity in life.
The traditional healing in religion happens as a result of some people’s propensity for prophecy and their decision to repay their God in church by healing others there. To signify their status as healers, the Traditional Healers will wear leopard print clothing. Even outside of church, The Healers have places where they can use their skill.
Let’s venture into unfamiliar territory so that we can learn to live outside of our own bubble of familiarity and realize that just because our lights shine in different ways doesn’t necessarily imply they are the brightest.
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY: THE PURPOSE OF TRADITIONAL HEALING
Our generation has long practiced traditional healing, also known as ubongoma. I made the decision to engage with Gogo Tshidi, a female traditional healer or “ngaka” (in Sepedi). She is only a sangoma who conducts consultations; she does not initiate Ama’Thwasana.
Traditional African healing has been used for many years . My understanding of spirituality was that sangomas could communicate with the dead and pass that on to the living. They could also give their clients native herbs after consulting them about specific issues. People who cannot get aid from modern medicine can get it from traditional healers who charge them a price, which is typically affordable, and this has an impact on communities. Herbs are harvested by Gogo Tshidi in the woods with assistance from a third party.
Traditional healers continue to have influence and relevance in modern society despite some negative attitudes toward what other healers choose to do with their vocation and the existence of fraudulent sangomas. This custom is carried down from generation to generation and is largely embraced by those who feel a desire to honor and acknowledge their ancestors as well as heal spiritually so they can assist others in need in healing themselves and establishing connections with their ancestors.