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When Sheila Dorje's life fell apart, this young South African began to have disturbing dreams that wouldn't let up. Her dreams were eventually interpreted as a calling to become a traditional healer - a sangoma. While globally people tend to move away from traditional cultures and towards westernisation, Sheila (desperate to stop the relentless nightmares) went against the grain and entered an unfamiliar culture in her homeland. She began the rigorous training to become a sangoma and was given a Xhosa name, Nobuyile, which means "She who has returned".
By taking us into Nobuyile's / Sheila's world, the documentary provides a rare, accessible and insightful look into the shamanic journey of a sangoma in the Xhosa tradition.
A captivating, thought provoking anthropological voyage into the heart of Xhosa culture.
South Africa 2009, English and Xhosa with English subtitles, Video, 49 min
Director: Terry Westby-Nunn
Cinematography: Terry Westby-Nunn, additional footage by Kitty Dorje
Print Source: Terry Westby-Nunn