sangoma

/ -ˈɡɔːmə; sæŋˈɡəʊmə /

noun

1. a witch doctor, healer, or herbalist

Word History and Origins

Origin of sangoma¹

from Zulu isangoma

Example Sentences

She was caught up in a maelstrom of rumours and media reports incorrectly identified her as a traditional healer, or sangoma.

From BBC

It’s a practice he honed through his training as a sangoma, a traditional spiritual healer, and it is essential to his craft.

From New York Times

Madondile turned to antiretrovirals as a last resort, when his immune system was nearly nonexistent and a pilgrimage to a Malawian sangoma, or traditional healer, proved futile.

From Seattle Times

In South Africa, many believe that when an owl lands on the roof and hoots, it has been sent by a sangoma, or witch doctor, delivering a fatal curse.

From Los Angeles Times

They collected cash and sent for a local sangoma – a traditional healer – in the hope that he could protect them from violence.

From The Guardian