Introduction

Sangoma practice is a long process with some stages involved.  Sangoma practise is something that one cannot choose to be, but born with.  For one to be a sangoma he must be choosen by his or her ancestors.  Sangoma practice is not a career but a calling.

The first step to sangoma practice is ukuthwasa and the student is known as Thwasa which state his/her status in the practice.  Ithwasa live a different way from normal people will.  The clothing must reflect your status. And also your behavior needs to suite your status.

There are some rules that a thwasa needs to follow in order to succeed in this practice, omitting them could result in failing to complete the training, or improper training.  There are some common rules in some of the training places known as ezikweni.