I explored the roles of traditional healers, the challenges posed by the legal status of witchcraft, and the impact of colonial and post-colonial shifts on these practices. My research questions focused on how these healing practices contribute to cultural identity, social cohesion, and community values in Zambia. By integrating insights from both academic sources and course materials, such as Sims and Stephens' Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study of People and Their Traditions, I aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in Zambian healing practices.

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Folkloric Perspective on Traditional Healers in Zambia

In their book Living Folklore, Sims and Stephens discuss how folklore functions as a means of expressing and reinforcing the identity and values of folk groups. Traditional healers, known across the Bantu languages as Ng’angas, in Zambia are a prime example of a folk group that maintains and transmits cultural knowledge through both oral traditions and practices. According to Sims and Stephens, a folk group is defined by shared identity and common traditions that are passed down through generations. Ng’angas embody this definition as they perpetuate the knowledge of herbal medicine and spiritual healing, which are integral to Zambian culture.

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Chapter 2, "Groups," highlights the importance of shared beliefs in forming and maintaining folk groups. Ng’angas and their clients form a community bound by their belief in the efficacy of traditional healing methods and the spiritual power of ancestral spirits. This shared belief system not only provides a sense of belonging but also legitimizes the practices of the healers within their communities.

In Chapter 3, "Tradition," Sims and Stephens explain that tradition is both lore and process, helping to create and confirm a sense of identity. For Ng’angas, the rituals and knowledge they practice are traditions that link the past to the present, ensuring cultural continuity. These traditions are dynamic, adapting to contemporary influences such as the integration of Christian elements to remain relevant.

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Chapter 4, "Ritual," discusses the role of rituals in both sacred and secular contexts. The healing rituals performed by Ng’angas are high-context rituals imbued with deep cultural and spiritual significance. These rituals serve multiple functions: they are a means of curing illness, reinforcing social bonds, and asserting cultural identity. The concept of liminality, as discussed by Sims and Stephens, is evident in the transitional nature of these rituals, which often mark the passage from illness to health, or from spiritual imbalance to harmony.

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By examining the role of Ng’angas through the lens of folklore, we gain a deeper understanding of how their practices are not only medical but also profoundly cultural and spiritual. This perspective highlights the resilience of traditional healers in maintaining their practices amidst the challenges of modernity and legal constraints, showcasing the enduring significance of folklore in contemporary Zambian society.