You can now consult a sangoma online

A young sangoma from East London, in the Eastern Cape, has launched a website, along with a Facebook page, for those who are too busy or ill to physically consult one.

Umphilisi is a founder and member of the Ithongo Institute of Traditional Healing, presenter at Kumkani FM, dream analyst at Tru FM and a columnist at Isolezwe lesiXhosa and is regulated by the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007.

According to the website, the healer, Umphilisi, says he facilitates the deepening of “your relationship to various spirits and your ancestors”. Healing, be it physical (diseases or injury), mental, psychological and emotional conditions, is also offered. Umphilisi says though sometimes he may completely cure someone, sometimes he only helps someone deal with their condition in a positive manner.

“In every healing process the patient must have faith in the technique and the healer. This will of course aid the healing process. Umphilisi helps individuals to understand all the techniques of healing and supports them in their spiritual journey,” he says.

His services include sessions on bone, palm and card reading, dream analysis, traditional healing, sessions on traditional herbs and medicines, to name a few.

Though some may find online consultations unusual or claim that it is against traditions, Umphilisi says “modernity” has prompted African people to adapt to new ways of helping people in their cultural practices.

“Umphilisi uses social media as a way of reaching out to the youth in attempt sharing a common understanding of the importance of ancestors in our daily lives.”

The Facebook page has garnered more than a thousand likes and sees some people posting on it asking for dream explanations.

According to the website, Umphilisi has healed 155 people, currently has 123 clients and 260 projects, without explaining exactly what those projects were.

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.