Living tradition
Throwing the bones
Sangomas of South Africa and neighbouring peoples; also in the Sahel.
Bones, shells, dice and stones kept in a pouch; thrown onto a hide and read by each object's position relative to the others.
How it's done
- 01Breathe your question into the pouch.
- 02Throw everything at once onto the hide.
- 03Read which object landed near which.
With your own tools
Each sangoma builds their own pouch over a lifetime; the objects have history, which is why they speak.
With Ocluna
I throw five pieces on the mat for you, with real chance: I tell you which fell in the center, near and far, face up or face down, and what each one says.
Your reading
Mama Adaeze does your Throwing the bones reading
What Mama Adaeze tells you
- In South Africa sangomas are legally recognised as traditional healers; there are estimated to be around 200,000.
- Each sangoma assembles their own set of bones, shells, dice and coins over the years; no two are alike.
- The pieces are read by their relative position: what lands near what and where it points, not by any single piece alone.
- A sangoma's training, called 'ukuthwasa', lasts months or years and ends with a ceremony in which they receive their own set of bones.
This reading is symbolic self-knowledge and entertainment content based on folk traditions. It does not predict the future, is not medical, legal or financial advice, and does not replace qualified professionals.