Herbal and traditional medicine

Four types of healers can be identified: a herbalist, (inyanga), traditional diviner (isangoma), faith healer/spiritual healer (Umthandazi) and traitional birth attendants (umbelekisi).

The inyanga specialises in the use of herbal medicines and has extensive knowledge of curative herbs, natural treatment and medicine mixtures made of animal origin. Inyangas are usually male.

The isangoma is a traditional diviner and a diagnostician. They define illnesses and the circumstances of the illness. They don’t necessarily have knowledge of medicinal herbs, because their speciality is that of divining through mediumship with the ancestral spirits. Isangomas are usually female.

Abathandazi are faith healers and are usually professed Christians. They heal mostly through prayer by laying hands on patients or providing holy water.

Umbelekisi The traditional birth attendants are usually elderly women who are highly respected for their obstetrical and ritual expertise. They train for 15 to 20 years before assuming the title. Traditional birth attendants provide care for the pregnant woman, attend the birth, give postpartum care, and provide support for breast-feeding, marriage, contraception and fertility.

Herbal medication is the most common therapeutic method used by traditional healers. Other methods include psychosocial counselling, simple surgical procedures (such as blood-letting), rituals and symbolism.

Medications can be classified in three categories: