When James Hall was working in Africa with legendary singer Miriam Makeba, she perceived he had the rare gift to see both into the future & into people's souls. She urged Hall to consult a Sangoma, a traditional healer, who told him he was possessed by ancestral spirits who could give him the power to heal others & to become a Sangoma himself. He underwent a 2-year initiation into the mysteries of psychic possession & traditional healing. He also learned how to read meanings & messages in his set of divination bones, & began his education in the collection & preparation of plants & roots used as traditional medicines. Photos.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Hall won acclaim as coauthor of Makeba: My Story (LJ 2/15/88), which detailed the life of exiled South African folk/pop singer Miriam Makeba. In his newest work, he returns to Swaziland, Africa, to begin kutfwasa (initiation) to become a sangoma (spiritual healer) in Africa. The journey briefly covers Hall's beginnings in Winnetka, Illinois, introducing us to his white, conservative, Catholic upbringing. As Hall begins to mature, he starts to experience episodes of foretelling the future and is guided to the veld of Africa. As he endures physical and spiritual initiations, we gain an appreciation for simplicity in life and support of others. As the book ends, we look forward to further tales of where Hall's lidloti (ancestral spirits) will take him. Recommended for general readers.
L. Kriz, Sioux City P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
L. Kriz, Sioux City P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Why would a successful writer--and a Catholic former Eagle Scout from Winnetka, Illinois--move to Swaziland to become the first white person to undergo kutfwasa, the secret study and rituals necessary to become a sangoma (shaman)? The answer to that question isn't as clear and succinct as rational, linear Western readers might like, but the author's account of his two years of training is an amazing story. Hall explains that while interviewing Miriam Makeba, the singer told him that he might be able to "see" as her sangoma mother could. During kutfwasa, Hall's lidlotis (ancestral spirits that at times possess a sangoma) directed him to father a child (he later fell in love with and married the child's mother) and to adopt another. This is an oddly compelling book. The secrecy of the rituals and procedures of kutfwasa creates as many questions as are answered. The author's reserved style sometimes clashes with the fantastic events he's describing. And hanging over every chapter is the big question: Why? Even with those drawbacks, the book will offer public library users a page-turning true adventure unlike anything they've ever read. Thomas Gaughan
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and Informative,
By
This review is from: SANGOMA: My Odyssey Into the Spirit World of Africa (Paperback)
James Hall takes us on his personal journey as a midwestern America who slowly gets drawn into the world of African healers. The story is personal, poignant, and very detailed. It lets us look into several windowns we don't ordinarily get to look through - everyday living in rural Africa and the world of the african healer.
From 1977 to 1980 I taught at a major university in Africa and spent 2+ years working closely with sangomas. Most of my acquaintances were Zulu or Sotho, but there are not very many differences to the Swazi that Hall talks about. What does differ considerable is whether or not the spirits are from the river or from the land, but that's another issue. Hall gives a precious insight into the role of the sangoma and the personal issues that sangoma must face. My own work was in the urban areas, and it's very different from Hall's rural adventures. Anyone interested in africa, african healers, and stories of personal growth will find this book very interesting and informative. It is suitable for young adults as well as adults.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sangoma is a unique, amazing, readable autobiography,
By Ned Wallace,MD,MPH(nwallace@ptd.net) (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: SANGOMA: My Odyssey Into the Spirit World of Africa (Paperback)
Sangoma depicts the fascinating tranformation of a talented American writer into a 'second career' of a full-fledged, African traditional healer. Having visited with James Hall in person, his story becomes credible, and genuine. A must for anyone, within and beyond the health professions, who seeks to better understand a form of alternative medicine used by millions of Africans. Highly recommended!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice view of africa,
This review is from: Sangoma (Hardcover)
James Hall made me feel that I was an African. The view was from thse eyes.
Americans can really feel and see the people of that community. A fine read to get a total world view and not the myopic view that we Americans have of the world and others. Please let me know where I could find him now and get caught up on his life. His kids would be about 14 1nd 20 now. let me know bob huff bob_huff@comcast.net thanks
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