You never know what you will see on the beach

[wild worlds]

I was walking down the beach one day in Kwa Zulu. when I came across these guys. They are “Sangoma” or witch doctors. With them they had several live white chickens, which I don’t think were for lunch! Sangoma are a very real part of African culture, because they can put all sorts of spells on you or cure an illness for example. Don’t knock it, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up!(note the mobile phone though) These guys were not dressed up for tourists they are very real and not apposed to using human body parts for spells. Just look up “Muti Killings” on the web. Unfortunately all I had with me was a cheap plastic “point and shoot” film camera which had been sitting in the car for weeks so the film was well and truly fried! WW http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal...php/photo/1248
http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal.../size/big/cat/

[goosey]

These seem a bit scary, the hairs are standing up on my neck just thinking about the situation. Were they not bothered that you took photo's of them? I thought some people saw it as looking into their souls or something - or is that Aborigines - sorry I am waffling.
This witch doctor buisness sounds rather gruesome , I thought basically that they were like the apothacaries of old, and used herbs and plants to cure or Kill and that there power came from being able to terrify others - do they actually have powers?
I have checked out muti killings - wish I hadn't .

[wild worlds]

Hi Goosey,
I think that it is important to realise how different some cultures are from our “western” way of life and how deeply instilled the belief of the people is in the Sangoma. In that way they are very powerful and have “powers”. Africa has probably had Sangoma longer than the rest of the world has had its religions. I have only ever met a few Sangoma and always find that they have a great presence….even if you don’t understand them they command respect. Although I think that Muti killing is very rare I have no way of proving it. The Muti I have seen has been plants and various bits of animal.
Did they mind me photographing them. No. I greeted them in Zulu (hello, how are you and goodbye are about as much as I know) I treated them with the dignity that their position in their culture requires, by using the correct term of address to someone older than me for example. I did ask their permission. I only took a few quick frames then thanked them and left. WW

[mmjones]

Hello, honestly speaking this side of the African culture was not known by me. Being an eager traveler I have always been looking towards the major points of attraction in a country. Had a look at those snaps and they for sure are capable of frightening us. This also teaches a lesson to me i.e. its also prudent to know about the culture of the place where we intend to travel in addition to the major places of interest.