Media, Mediums and Metaphors: The Modern South African Sangoma in Various Texts

Abstract

During the past fifteen years, sangomas have become a distinctive presence in South African literature. Furthermore, an international focus on indigenous knowledge and a national emphasis on cultural regeneration have made room for sangomas in several public South African spheres. In this paper, the way in which Nicholas Gcaleka, the sangoma who went to find Hintsa’s skull, became both narrator of and character in different narratives within literature, politics and historiography is exploredDuring the past fifteen years, sangomas have become a distinctive presence in South African literature. Furthermore, an international focus on indigenous knowledge and a national emphasis on cultural regeneration have made room for sangomas in several public South African spheres. In this paper, the way in which Nicholas Gcaleka, the sangoma who went to find Hintsa’s skull, became both narrator of and character in different narratives within literature, politics and historiography is explored