Ellen Msimanga

As a little girl growing up in South Africa, I was blessed to have a nanny. Ellen was much more than a nanny to me, although she has passed on, her feisty and loving spirit will always be with and inspire me. Ellen used to carry me on her back in a blanket like a papoose, as was the tradition of Zulu women carrying their own babies. Ellen was a Zulu witchdoctor or sangoma, a healer in her tribe. She would receive visits from those seeking her guidance, and her muti (medicine). The scent of Frankincense and other mystifying fragrances would spiral from her room and intrigue my senses. At night the sound of her chanting and singing in her native tongue drifted into my bedroom and filled my consciousness with the comfort of things both strange and familiar. I never had any formal teachings or conversations from Ellen in the area of mysticism, oracles and remedies. My inspiration comes from her spiritual magic and a very deep relationship that influenced my formative years and will always be a part of my life.