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South African Sangomas are wizards and witches who are supposedly chosen by their ancestors to follow a traditional training and go through a rite of passage after which they become Sangomas and can cure and help people. They are so respected and trusted that western medical authorities have actually advised the government of South Africa to develop its cooperation with Sangomas in order to improve hygiene and health among the population. Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. Thanks to the help of the spirits of her ancestors, she has found a cow that had been hidden. The cow has then been killed by Sangoma Thelma and Trissa is now drinking its blood, thus becoming a Sangoma and changing her name to Nomadlozi. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

South African Sangomas are wizards and witches who are supposedly chosen by their ancestors to follow a traditional training and go through a rite of passage after which they become Sangomas and can cure and help people. They are so respected and trusted that western medical authorities have actually advised the government of South Africa to develop its cooperation with Sangomas in order to improve hygiene and health among the population. Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. Thanks to the help of the spirits of her ancestors, she has found a cow that had been hidden. The cow has then been killed by Sangoma Thelma and Trissa is now drinking its blood, thus becoming a Sangoma and changing her name to Nomadlozi. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. She is pictured here going into a trance at the sound of the drums, thus allowing the spirits of her ancestors to talk to her. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. She is pictured here going into a trance at the sound of the drums, thus allowing the spirits of her ancestors to talk to her. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here are two Sangoma students going through their ritual bath process, which always separates boys from girls. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here are two Sangoma students going through their ritual bath process, which always separates boys from girls. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. Thanks to the help of the spirits of her ancestors, she has found a goat that had been hidden. The goat has then been killed by an experienced Sangoma. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Today is graduation day for Trissa, 25, a Sangoma student in Tembisa, near Pretoria. Thanks to the help of the spirits of her ancestors, she has found a goat that had been hidden. The goat has then been killed by an experienced Sangoma. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is the procession of the Sangomas, led by Sangoma Thelma. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is the procession of the Sangomas, led by Sangoma Thelma. Location: Tembisa, near Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is a young Sangoma dancing. Location: Near Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is a young Sangoma dancing. Location: Near Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here are the feet of a Sangoma, adorned with little bells. In a surprising mix of tradition and modernism, they are actually made of soda cans tops and bottle caps. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here are the feet of a Sangoma, adorned with little bells. In a surprising mix of tradition and modernism, they are actually made of soda cans tops and bottle caps. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here are Willy and Nelisiwe Ndlovu, both Sangomas and living in Tugala Ferry. They thank the gods. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here are Willy and Nelisiwe Ndlovu, both Sangomas and living in Tugala Ferry. They thank the gods. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here are dried carcasses of animals that were sacrificed by a Sangoma to bring someone good luck or healing. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here are dried carcasses of animals that were sacrificed by a Sangoma to bring someone good luck or healing. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is Nelisiwe, a Sangoma who teaches “Sangoma students” traditional dance at her Tugala Ferry home. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is Nelisiwe, a Sangoma who teaches “Sangoma students” traditional dance at her Tugala Ferry home. Location: Tugala Ferry, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is a male Kwa-Zulu Sangoma wearing his traditional costume in the Funze region, north of Durban. He is holding the tail of the animal he had to locate as part of his graduation test. Location: Funze region, north of Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is a male Kwa-Zulu Sangoma wearing his traditional costume in the Funze region, north of Durban. He is holding the tail of the animal he had to locate as part of his graduation test. Location: Funze region, north of Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is a group of Kwa-Zulu Sangomas wearing their traditional costumes in the Funze region, north of Durban. Location: Funze region, north of Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is a group of Kwa-Zulu Sangomas wearing their traditional costumes in the Funze region, north of Durban. Location: Funze region, north of Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is “Professor” Nyanga Majola teaching ritual dancing to the Sangoma students in Phoenix Settlement. Location: Phoenix Settlement, near Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is “Professor” Nyanga Majola teaching ritual dancing to the Sangoma students in Phoenix Settlement. Location: Phoenix Settlement, near Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is a female Sangoma with a dried and decorated goat bladder on her head. Finding a hidden goat, killing it and using its bladder as a hat is supposed to help a future Sangoma communicate better with the spirits of his or her ancestors during the graduation test and throughout the rest of their lives. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is a female Sangoma with a dried and decorated goat bladder on her head. Finding a hidden goat, killing it and using its bladder as a hat is supposed to help a future Sangoma communicate better with the spirits of his or her ancestors during the graduation test and throughout the rest of their lives. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)



Pictured here is p*ssy, 18, who has been a Sangoma since the age of 11 and lives in Alexandra, one of the Johanesburg townships. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)

Pictured here is p*ssy, 18, who has been a Sangoma since the age of 11 and lives in Alexandra, one of the Johanesburg townships. (Photo by Patrick Durand/Sygma via Getty Images)
24 Feb 2017 00:05:00