Mphutungwane Traditional Healing & Consultation

I hear so many horror stories from those who have tried to go through the process of ukuthwasa that I thought it important to start a conversation about this very sacred process that we have to go through.  I have my own horror story not from the perspective of ithwasa (for me I was in a carrying environment which still supports me today), but rather as an iNyanga with amathwasa.  Two of my thwasa's left while I was away at a funeral in KZN.  I struggled with this for a while as it had never happened to me before. For me the betrayal I felt was hightened by the negative comments that one of the women in particular started making.  Even now, when we talk about it at home, I always remind them of a song sung by the late Brenda Fassie, which had the words, "Angeke um confirm umuntu uya changa!"- or something to that effect. What are my responsibilities towards a Thwasa?

Firstly it needs to be clear that my first responsibility is to iDlozi lami and if I as a Sangoma/iNyanga am true to that relationship, then there is no conflict between this and the responsibility to ithwasa.  I say this because to be able to initiate another person, iDlozi lakho must agree to it and also open the doors for you to receive people who need initiation.  Personally I maintain that ukuthwasisa is not a choice I would voluntarily make, but I do it upon instruction from those who work through me.  I've been told that they had initiates and so I WILL do the same now.

My first requirement is to bring the thwasa's calling into balance.  This is supplemented by my having to teach them the rules and regulations of ukuthwasa and uBungoma.  As an addition, I also teach what I know about medicinal plants individually. I am also responsible for seeing to it that ithwasa uses the medicines that are required properly, consistently and starts practical training as soon as I have assessed them as being ready.

I am also responsible for carrying out all the rituals and ceremonies which come with undergoing initiation.  I also need to listen to what iDlozi lathwasa says when the time is appropriate.  After all, it is not my iDlozi who is undergoing initiation and these are also souls who usually (not always) know what is required for them to be healed appropriately.

Most importantly though, I must treat this thwasa like my own child.  This is why I have HUGE problems with those who cross boundaries which should not be crossed.  This applies to inappropriate sexual relations as well as to incorrect medication and this problem of iNyanga becoming envious/jealous of the calibre of gift that a thwasa has.

What am I not responsible for?

I am not responsible for waking up a thwasa to do what they need to do.  You cannot thwasa with debt thus I am not responsible for the purchase of any item that is required during initiation.  The money paid for ukuthwasisa pays for my services and not for the individual items that are required including livestock and transport.  This is important for families to understand from the outset.  Ukuthwasa is a costly process both financially and emotionally.  It should not be undertaken lightly!!  In addition, the rituals which are performed are very necessary.  Any short cuts or things left out, cause great harm to both the thwasa and to their ability to work with iDlozi.

How has my experience affected me?

Firstly, it has reinforced what I have always said which is that everything I do, I do for iDlozi lami and not for another human being like me.  It also reinforces what has been taught to me which is that I cannot be more invested in someone's life than they are.  This is very important to understand that you may want to help someone, but if they are not willing or able to accept help, then there is nothing which can be done.  Also I say an extra prayer each night, that the people who come to me for help must be people who want to be helped and who know that there are no freebies in life and eDlozini.  I also need to stress that if you are a thwasa and you want to leave before you are taken home, don't run away.  Let your iNyanga know you are leaving and let them then be guilty of not releasing you properly rather than running away and not getting that proper release.

Is this release really necessary?

Yes it is, after all if the proper rituals were performed when you entered this house, then you have placed your Dlozi under the gaurdianship of iNyanga yakho.  There are processes and procedures to follow when you leave and I cannot stress the importance of leaving properly.  As it is now, I have 2 sets of amaDlozi who were abandoned in my care because their children ran away! Philani