Izinyanga of South Africa

As previously mentioned, the South African people tend to believe in two special kinds of healers: The Sangoma and the Inyanga. Since my last blog was about the Sangomas of Southern Africa, I have decided to focus this blog around the Izinyanga. 
 

Below is Mr. Khoza, an Inyanga from Lavumisa. He is dressed in a traditional dress and is holding a vessel which contains traditional natural healing medicine. 

 http://ozoutback.com.au/Swaziland/sangoma/slides/1974120707.html

If a person does not already know which plant must be used to cure them, they often times will seek a Sangoma, to be diagnosed. Then, the patient will proceed with getting help from an Inyanga, who may further diagnose them and treat them medically.

An Inyanga is a naturopath, and many are men. They strictly rely on natural medicinal plants to cure ailments. An Inyanga uses herbs to heal physical ailments only. They may use leaves, flowers, roots, stems and/or bark in their natural remedies. Somtimes Inyanga even use animal parts in their medicines. 

Most izinyanga (plural of inyanga), that live in urban areas, have shops. These shops have consulting rooms, in which they sell their medicine. Izinyanga tend to store their medicine in carved vessels. Amazingly enough, 80% of the Zulu population still consult Inyangas when ill.

Below is a photo of some vessels containing medicines used by an Inyanga healer of Lavumisa.

http://ozoutback.com.au/Swaziland/sangoma/slides/1974120702.html

Works Cited

Kapff, Uli Von. Zulu, People of Heaven: Witchcraft, How to Behave, Love Life, History. KwaZulu Natal: Holiday African Publications, 1997. Print.

McMahon, Mary, and Nancy Fann-Im. "What Is an Inyanga?" WiseGeek. Conjecture, 09 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

"Photos from Swaziland." Sangoma and INyanga. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

"South Africa Holiday: Inyanga and Sangoma." South Africa Holiday: Inyanga and Sangoma. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

"South African Traditional Healers - Inyanga and Isangoma." - Community Memory. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

"Zulu Culture - Witchcraft." Zulu Culture - Zulu Witchcraft, the Sangoma, the Inyanga. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.