nganga
- noun
- /nɡɑːŋɡɑː/
- South African
:
nganga
- Many practitioners believe that the nganga embodies the spirits of their ancestors during ceremonies.
- nganga luvumbu
- nganga of Sarabanda
- portable nganga
Examples
-
There are weapons, baskets, cloth, pottery, and items of equipment of a ritual specialist (nganga).
Academic text (1995) -
I have been told that often they are buried under a special tree along with the initiate's nganga.
Academic text (2001) -
Most of his pieces include the nganga in addition to other elements.
Academic text (2001) -
Each mpungu also has its own, which can be used when that spirit or its nganga is activated.
Academic text (2001) -
The nganga whistles to call to him, and the singing and drumming begin.
Academic text (1995) -
Therefore, the nganga cannot fail to catch and grab the nkuyu, on account of the nkuyu strength in mpiya.
Academic text (1995) -
There are twenty-one palos placed around the circumference of an nganga.
Academic text (2001) -
The essence of Palo Monte, however, can be condensed in the concept of nganga, the religion's central icon.
Academic text (2001) -
On either side of the nganga are cane staffs, cana brava (Sp.), usually filled with herbal ingredients.
Academic text (2001) -
In Central African rituals, the nganga serves as a sacred vessel to hold spiritual power.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A carved object in Central African belief that holds a spirit and protects or heals people
An object or spell people in Haitian Vodou use to make magic happen
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nganga comes from Central African languages and originally named a sacred pot or cauldron used to hold 'spirits' and power. So a nganga as an object is the special container at the centre of healing and protection rituals.