Journey of Initiation ~ Sangoma
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Looking for my cowBaba and Maziya witness me finding my cowChildren watching Gretchen's  graduation.Goat objects hidden and found!Water ritual
Baba P.H. dancing his ancestors in celebration of Gretchen's successful graduationBaba dancing with other sangomaSangomas dancingGretchen's African family, the Mambas and NdunaMaureen Phelan came to witness Gretchen's graduation. Nduna and the Mamba daughters join them.
Luvenga Clinic ~ Traditional Doctor P.H. MtshaliAncestors "homes" ~ ndumbesBaba P.H. Mtshali with his son Nduna, working with "muthi" (medicinal herbs)Gretchen's "Ancestor Party" to welcome her as a thwasa ~ 2000Carrying water from the reservoir
Maziya and Mama, two of Gretchen's mentorsGraduation guestsMuthi (herbs) and bonesSome of the bones and objects in Gretchen's divination set.Gretchen throwing the bones
Trip to Swaziland ~ 2006
Our beloved Baba P.H. Mtshali, traditional doctor and sangoma, passed away January 24, 2011. He has become one of the Ancestors now. 
Thokoza!

Sangoma Kate greeting our group at her homesteadStudents preparing to entertain us with traditional dancingTraditional Swazi dance with high kicksKate in trance, dancing her AncestorAnother sangoma trance dancing
Mr. Mamba and Gretchen excited to meet againElders talking at Mr. Mamba's homesteadAncestor ndumbeSangoma, Mr. MambaCeremonyMr. Songwe, the prophet
Gretchen presenting a gift to Baba PHSmudging in preparation for ceremonyThe altarP.H. initiating me as mentor for thwasas in America.Initiation into PH's Zulu lineage
Mandaza Kandemwa, Svikiro and MhondoroMandaza with his children in ZimbabweRetreat gathering at Pine Manor, Lake Elsinore, CA in 2010.
Mandaza Kandemwa ~ Svikiro (traditional healer) & Mhondoro (peacemaker) from Zimbabwe
Visit www.mandaza.org for more information
October 29, 2011 was a magical day. After a year of preparation, our shamanic community gathered to raise the tipi, honoring the ancestors and spirits of the land.

Aho Mitakuye Oyas'in ~ For all our relations.