"Isangoma" [Digest urth.v024.n014]

It may not be related, but "Isangoma" is a "diviner" in traditional Zulu medicine. Is there a Robert and Marie in South Africa who would be the obvious referents? http://www.hst.org.za/update/37/policy4.htm (via AltaVista) -John Bishop

Looks like you're on to something here, since this document also contains the sentence: The Thikoloshe is the familiar of the night sorcerer and sent by him. which is presumably the same as what I remember as `tokoloshe'. `Night sorcerer' is a good description of a torturer in a fuligin cloak. While I'm showing my incredible grasp of cutting and pasting, it might be worth passing on the central description of `isangoma' from near the bottom: There are two principal types of Zulu Traditional practitioners. The "doctor" or Inyanga is usually male and has a comprehensive knowledge of Zulu medicines. The skills of this individual are usually passed from father to son. The Isangoma, usually female is a diviner. She is said to be chosen by her ancestors who bestow upon her a clairvoyant diagnostic powers. In addition to these traditional healers there are also a growing number of faith healers who belong to one of the numerous religious sects. The rituals of such sects while nominally Christian are often heavily overlaid with non-Christian traditional features that are characteristic of a culture in transition. corncrake