|
|
Documentary "Witchdoctors: A Day in the Other Africa" Examines Witchdoctors
From Brooklyn, New York, Cameroon (West Central Africa), to Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), African documentary filmmaker, Boniface Ndemping Wewe, aka The Ngonyama "Lion" of Brooklyn, and his co-narrator Barbara Temfack Wewe peruse some of the ills (ritual murders and body part extraction for different macabre purposes, rape of little girls as an erroneous cure for AIDS) and stereotypes about contemporary Africa. Witchdoctors: A Day in the Other Africa highlights indigenous professions from Palm Wine Tapping in Santa, Cameroon, Thumb Piano (Ndenge Playing) in Bali, Cameroon, Zulu Singing (Isicamiya) by the Hlahlindlela High School choir to the witchdoctor (Sangoma) profession in South Africa. In Kwangcolosi Village in the Valley of 1000 Hills, South Africa, under the leadership of the head witchdoctor (Ma Nokusho Bhengu), the viewer can become aquainted with the criteria of becoming a Sangoma, sample medications (MUTI) and their cures, the Initiation of a young Sangoma and esoteric dances tweaked with hallucinating growls when the ancestors are invoked. A traditional African Blessing and prayer to the ancestors concludes the day.
The tape also features Prince Dr. Mangosuthu Buthelezi, former Home Affairs Minister and Uncle of the reigning monarch, King Zwelithini, who speaks about the concept of Ubuntu (African Humanism). Prominent Zulu elders, Dr. Siphiwe Mkhize (Minister of Agriculture at the South African Embassy-Washington DC) and Mr. Sikhulu Shange-a Harlem based businessman and proprietor of the Record Shack, served as consultants.
©Copyright
2007 by AlternativeApproaches.com
|
Printer Friendly Page