First time visits to iSangoma are always a little tricky because people never know what to expect. The most important thing though is that I have yet to meet a Sangoma who places a time limit on consultations as would happen with other alternative healers for instance. It is important therefore that you as the client consider those still to follow when you are in your consultation.
This will be a general guide only based primarily on how I handle consultations in my practice. Firstly your appearance needs to be respectful. Some iZangoma do not accept woman in pants. Ask and to avoid any unnecessary discomfort, women shouldn’t wear pants. Shoes are to be left outside the consulting area. Please in this age of cell phones, switch them off. You will be entering someone’s sacred space, be respectful of the space you are entering.
Expect to sit on the floor on ucansi (grass mat). Sit in a position which is comfortable for you but which takes into account your surroundings. What I mean is if you are in a small space then don’t lean on things unless you have permission to do so.
Enquire before hand how to pay and if you need to bring anything. For instance I’ve been to someone who expects there to be silver coins as part of the money. Others don’t mind either way. I’ve also seen that sometimes if you are consulting on someone’s behalf, some people require an item of clothing for that person if they can’t be there in person. Also some iZangoma who use iSitunywa require that each person provides their own white candle for the consultation.
As a final note, I find it amazing that people will pay hundreds of rands to see a psychic but not want to pay the very basic consultation fee charged by iZangoma. Ask beforehand how much is it ukukhanyisela amakhosi to avoid embarrassment. It’s not a flat rate so don’t expect to pay the same everywhere you go. Also in most cases this fee excludes any medications or ceremonies that the Sangoma may have to preside over.
Consulting me, Makhosi Amanda Gcabashe
My fee is currently R200 for the session. This is higher than most iZangoma but much lower than that charged by Psychics, Astrologers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Tarot Readers etc.
I work on an appointments basis (I am available Sundays to Fridays) as this allows me to schedule my time accordingly. For instance, my Thursday afternoons are booked out to CIDA Foundation year for the workshops on Cultural Diversity which I present to them until the end of May, Wednesdays are my imithi preparation days, Saturdays I don't consult. Once a month I go to Kwa Swayimane outside Pietermaritzburg for a week. In addition, if I have a function/ceremony to attend to, this is usually from Saturday evening through to Sunday. So I usually don't schedule anything on that Sunday morning and sometimes for the whole day.
I begin at around 9 am weekdays but have been known to start as early as 6am on a Sunday.
My Personal Code of Conduct
This may be a little controversial, but there are things I do and others I don't do. I may also expand on it with time as I remeber other things, so here goes:
- My primary goal is to get you in a position where you are communicating on your own with your ancestors;
- I work on my timetable. This may not be as fast as you want, but I need to listen to iZitunywa zami to hear how, where and when they direct me.
- My focus is on healing and not on gambles e.g. I will not do predicitons on sports matches/games/lotto numbers etc.
- I can never be more invested in your well being than you are. You need to be the champion & I will be your support.
- I do not believe in "getting rid" of a calling. If you have a calling & are running away then don't come to me for help. I don't know how it's done because I don't want to know.
- I do not divulge my clients or their problems. What is said in my consultations remains there.
- You will not be judged in anyway. If you need help, you will find it.
- I will not help you to do anything illegal.
- I believe in what I do and who I am. I don't feel it is necessary to prove anything to anybody. Thoe seeking help will find it, those out to prove a point will be dissappointed.
- Every human life is a gift, sacred and worth saving.
