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Sangoma

2 stages from Zulu to English.

Today it means a traditional spiritual healer and diviner among the Zulu and related peoples of southern Africa

Where does the word "sangoma" come from? It comes from Zulu isangoma, adopted directly into English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
isangoma
Zulu · 1800s
"diviner, witch doctor"
from a prefix plus ngoma, 'drum', describing a healer who drums out spirits during divination
2
Stage 2 of 2
sangoma
English · 1900s
"a traditional diviner and spiritual healer"
adopted into South African English
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