Thokoza! Today I would like to share again an article I found about the lineage I was initiated into. It is not my own. You can see the full article here.

http://www.archivalplatform.org/blog/entry/transmission_and_embodiment/

Introduction

The thokoza sangoma tradition has its origins among the Swazi- and Shangaan-speaking peoples of southern Africa. The thokoza tradition differs from other sangoma traditions in South Africa in that its adherents are possessed by non-lineage or “foreign” spirits, in addition to family ancestors. These spirits are referred to as Nguni and Ndau.

According to my informants, the Nguni (Ndwandwe people [Harries 1994 and Wright 2010]) spirits are the spirits of dead Nguni warriors who invaded Mozambique under Soshangane in the 19th century, as well as the spirits of Swazi and Zulu warriors who died in similar conflicts. On the other hand, the Ndau are a people living in western Mozambique near the border of Zimbabwe, many…