Divination bones

Sangoma contacting the spirits of the Badimo through divination bones

Divination bones (Sotho-Tswana languages: ditaola, isiZulu: amathambo) are pieces of bones and vertebrae, carved ivory dice and cowrie shells used for divination. It is widely known in South Africa where traditional healers, especially of the Bantu people for divination.^[1]

Mokgale Makgopa and Magaelane Koma of the University of Venda wrote that divination bones can consist of coins, dominoes, pieces of metal and gems and other things of significance to the healer.^[2]

^ Campbell, A.C. (1968). "Some Notes on Ngwaketse Divination". Botswana Notes and Records. 1: 9–13. hdl:10520/AJA052550590_639. JSTOR 409792.
^ Makgopa, Mokgale; Koma, Magaelane (2009). "The Use of Ditaola (Divination Bones) Among Indigenous Healers in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province". Indilinga–African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. 8 (1). doi:10.4314/indilinga.v8i1.48242.

[1] Campbell, A.C. (1968). "Some Notes on Ngwaketse Divination". Botswana Notes and Records. 1: 9–13. hdl:10520/AJA052550590_639. JSTOR 409792.

[2] Makgopa, Mokgale; Koma, Magaelane (2009). "The Use of Ditaola (Divination Bones) Among Indigenous Healers in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province". Indilinga–African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. 8 (1). doi:10.4314/indilinga.v8i1.48242.

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