© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard

Other Traditional Practitioners

1. Herbalists

Other researchers note that although specialists are today rare and so dingaka tsa setswana have a more general practice, there is still another type of practitioner called dingaka tsa dichochwa. These were the so-called herbalists who were allowed to continue to practise after the Witchcraft Proclamation was amended.

In Kanye there is a pharmacy where both traditional and "modern" remedies are sold. The owner, and pharmacist, has gained a certificate in traditional herbalism from the South African Herbalists Association. Many people go to him to obtain  both types of medicine. The traditional remedies include roots, tubers, shells (including sea shells), parts of wild animals and animal fats (e.g . A pangolin was on one shelf and people could buy scales -If the scales are mixed with dry donkey dung and the two burnt together, a sufferer with nose bleeds inhaling the smoke may be cured. Also ostrich eggs and beads). He also stocked animal tail whisks which are used by traditional doctors to sprinkle the protective and/or healing medicated water whilst washing patients.

Traditional doctors may obtain their ingredients from him, or sufferers consult him direct. He informed me that he obtained his stock from different parts of Botswana and all parts of Southern Africa.

In addition he stocks "modern" patent medicines (including medicines such as antibiotics, only obtainable on prescription in England). The commonly bought patent medicines are aspirins, painkillers, worm pills, gripe water etc. It should also be noted that he stocks the candles, sacramental wlne, prophecy sticks, that are used in the Zion Christian Churches.

Apart from this pharmacist there are travelling herbalists who visit people at their homes to sell herbal medicines, protections, ingredients and objects to attract good luck, success etc. For example I was shown a cube of thick, hard reddish fat, which if it was squeezed  at one corner into a “horn” and burnt early in the morning, it would help a new business to be successful. (One informant told me how this method was used by a highly successful local prostitute!)

A selection of the stock on the shelves of the local pharmacy. N.B.the roots, and herbs etc. plus the patent medicines , mosquito spray (Target), Sacremental wine, candles, prophecy sticks etc for the Zion Churches, ostrich beads, sea shells, jars and pots of herbal medicines etc. etc.

Besides purchasing medicines and cures from the Pharmacy, many people  collect their own medicinal herbal cures from the Bush.

These medicinal plants are well known  to “home” treat various ailments e.g. Tlhowana (fontanelles in babies), curing widows, menstrual pains, to ease childbirth etc.

Bushmen (San) Healers

These people have lived in the area for perhaps thousands of years. They were until recently completely self-sufficient living in small extended family groups gathering wild plants , roots and tubers from their desert homelands. The men hunted game with bows and poisoned arrows. They moved over a wide area  around the Kalahari, following the wild game and subsisting on the wild food plants gathered by the women. Water bearing plants provided them with water in the dry seasons and they made shelters from the brush.

They have a wonderful knowledge of medicinal plants and many Batswana will consult them for medical assistance. They are also reputed to have knowledge of “love potions”

A more permanent Bushmen House in the Kalahari Desert. The stakes offer some protection from lions.

Receiving medicines from a Bushmen Healer