What you didn’t know about native doctor; difference from herbalists

When I was in 300-level in the university, a young man who sold recharge cards around my hostel had announced that the bag containing the proceeds from sales was missing. He threatened the thief to return his money or he would take drastic action.

The thief did not comply; so early the following morning, he invited a native doctor who performed some rituals, much to the chagrin and amusement of the girls.

Before then, I had never seen a native doctor. So I was curious to understand what he was doing. While I don’t know if his rituals worked and if the thief was found, I do know that the young man strongly believed in the incantations of the native doctor.

The young man is not alone in this belief. A native doctor is a highly, albeit secretly, respected personality in this part of the world. This is why despite the civilization and advancement of technology we see in our society today, they remain an integral part of our existence, directly or indirectly.

Table of Content hide 1Who is a native doctor? 1.1Babalawo 1.2Dibia 1.3Magajiya 2Difference between herbalist and native doctor 3Functions of a native doctor 4Conclusion

Who is a native doctor?

A native doctor is a spiritual leader who serves as a priest for the indigenous gods of a community. Like Imams in Islam and pastors and priests in Christianity, native doctors serve as the link between the gods and worshippers.

In Nigeria, native doctors are called by various names. They are called Magajiya in Hausa, babalawo in Yoruba and dibia in Igbo. These native doctors provide spiritual counsel and healing and can see into the future.

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Babalawo

Babalawo is known as Ifa priest in Yoruba land. He is a highly respected personality, a servant, and a mouthpiece of Orunmila in the Yoruba cultural tradition. The Babalawo acts as an intermediary between the living and the dead. Trained from his youth in divination rituals, he is a master of a vast knowledge of oral literature known as Ese Ifa, which means the wisdom of Ifa. 

The Babalawo is usually very intelligent and can memorize endless volumes of information. One of such vast information is called 256 odu, in which he divines using sacred palm nuts or chain called Opele and a sacred divining tray called Opon Ifa. The Opele represents the male principle while the divining tray represents the female principle to signify the belief in the Law of Opposites.

The odu is unwritten literature on circumstances contained about life in the past, evidence of the present, and accurate predictions of the future in sub verses named ese. Odu is unwritten because the Babalawos believe that what is written to unburden the mind is dead, whereas what is held in mind is perpetually renewed by the creative energies of the mind. Therefore, it continues to live on irrespective of age and relationship with present circumstances.

The babalawo’s ultimate goal is to discover the will and purpose of Orunmila, Oduduwa, Sango, and other powerful deities in the Yoruba pantheon.

Dibia

A dibia is commonly referred to as the voice or eyes of the gods in Igbo culture. He is an expert in all areas of spirituality and can answer any questions you may have after consulting the spirit of the ancestors. On rare occasions where they cannot solve your problem, they will refer you to a higher power or act on your behalf.

Most dibias are appointed by the gods, while others learn through apprenticeship. There are different branches of becoming a dibia, just like in western medicine. Divining, soothsaying, and fortune-telling are just a few duties of a dibia. There are dibia onye oha (kingmaker, community leader); dibia mgborogwu (herbalist); dibia ara (healer of madness or mental illness); dibia ogbaokpukpu (bonesetter), dibia ogbanje (ogbanje healing and care for children); dibia Amadioha (god of rain and thunder); dibia amuosu (witchcraft healer); dibia mmanwu (guardian of masquerade); dibia omumu (fertility healer); dibia Idemili (goddess of the sea and other mami wota matters); dibia Ani (goddess of the earth), etc.

In contrast to negative opinions of western religion, education, media, a dibia is wisdom or greatness in Igboland who has served the people in all matters long before the advent of western civilization.

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Magajiya

The Hausa/Fulani tribe is not known for their traditional worship as Islam has overtaken the people’s religion. But long before Uthman Dan Fodio overpowered the tribe, the people followed the traditional religion called Bori.

The chief priest is usually female and she is referred to as Magajiya. The gods that the magajiya (Iskoki) serves are Ubangiji (Creator of the universe), Sarkin Iskoki (The King of all Gods), Maiyaali, Kure (The Great Hyena) , Magiro, Jato, Yerima(Galadima), Sarkin Rafi, Mai Aska,Inna, Wazri, Doguwa, Dakaki, Mai JaChikkki, Manzo, Jam Maraki, Sarkin Pawa, Babban Maza, Jigo, Sarkin Barchi, Uwal Yara, etc.

Difference between herbalist and native doctor

A lot of people often confuse a herbalist with a native doctor. However, both are different, though they share some similarities.

First, a herbalist is an expert in using natural roots and herbs for healing. A native doctor is all-encompassing but mostly an individual who specializes in spiritual divination and soothsaying.

A herbalist is a person who grows and collects herbs for healing. He or she does not have to deal with the spiritual aspect to make effective healing. However, a native doctor can also be referred to as a witch doctor who has supernatural powers of curing disease and controlling spirits. He or she is regarded as a medicine man or woman, a traditional healer, and a spiritual leader of a community of indigenous people.

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In other words, a herbalist’s function is limited. He or she needs only to study the uses of herbs and roots and how to apply them for healing. A native doctor not only heals but also speaks to and controls spirits which is why he or she involves in certain rituals that the herbalist dares not venture into.

Functions of a native doctor

• Serves as the voice and eyes of the gods.
• Serves as the intermediary between the gods and the people
• Heals both spiritual and physical ailments through consultation with ancestors and natural herbs.
• Serves as a community leader and kingmaker.
• A native doctor is a traditional scholar with vast knowledge about the people’s history and culture.
• Serves as a judge who settles cases beyond the king and his cabinet.

Conclusion

A native doctor serves various functions in society. Unfortunately, western culture, Nollywood, and other media outlets have portrayed native doctors as money ritualists, killers, scammers, and cringe-worthy evils. They forget that long before western civilization came into Africa, native doctors served as the mediators of the gods and healers of the people.

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