amagqira rituals

Here you can witness rituals of traditional doctors (amagqira) in Nemato.

The rituals are for a man who is a learner (umKhweta) to become a traditional doctor (igqira). He stayed near the river for 16 days to have time to talk to his ancestors and to see his friends the animals. He had to dream and be told how to make medicine. He had to learn how to help people who are ill or who have a problem. Amagqira were with him at the river to teach him. In the picture series you can see the rituals in the 3 day after coming back from the river.

Day 1.

The man from the river is sitting in the kraal (place for the cattle). The lady in the second picture is the teacher doctor. She is telling the ancestors that they are back from the river and everything was fine. They are singing and dancing traditional songs.
On his head he is wearing leaves from the river. The are going in the house.
The lady doctor is thanking the ancestors and giving the rules of being a doctor to the man. The other ladies in white are also learners. They have to bend or kneel when listening.
The girl is playing the drum for the singing and dancing. The doctors go to their room where they sleep and cook their own food. They don't eat with other people. On the wall is special beadwork and a tail of a cow.
The brother of the man is giving the ancestors and the people brandy. When he is pouring everybody must say 'camagu mhlekazi omhle' (praise the doctor).

Continue to day 2 or day 3 or go back to Nemato main page.