Amagqirha: Religion, magic, and medicine in Transkei

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Amagqirha: Religion, magic, and medicine in Transkei

Joan A.  Broster,Herbert C. Bourn

Published by Via Africa (1981)


pp. 126, incl. index; photographs in colour and monochrome; line drawings.

'We have all heard about "witchdoctors" or, to give them their rightful name, amagqirha, and are aware of the mystery and controversy that surround them. Despite scientific accounts, the amagqirha remain beyond the experience of most people. This book gives the story as told to Joan Broster by the amagqirha themselves. It has not been written from any particular point of view, nor from a background of specialized training, but with a clearness of perception born from love and rapport. In their own words, with the author as their interpreter, the amagqirha describe their calling and discuss the religious, magical and medicinal aspects of their profession. Joan Broster is in a unique position to write of these prominent members of the Xhosa nation, for she was born in Transkei and has lived most of her life in close contact with the tribal people. Her natural style of writing, her warmth and her modesty add to the fascination of the subject and ensure interesting reading.'.

'Amagqirha - Religion, Magic and Medicine in Transkei', is a unique visual and written account of Eastern Cape traditional healers. Joan Broster and Herbert Bourn travelled extensively for two and a half years - seeking the old world of the Amagqirha with pen, recorder and camera. Together, they captured for posterity aspects of the vanishing peoples of Southern Africa. Joan acted as translator for the Amagqirha - who willing told their stories. Herbert Bourn profusely illustrated the book with fantastic imagery, with both color and black and white photographs.

Amagqirha have been labelled witchdoctors, diviners, traditional doctors, Sangoma and  Ngaka, but in the Eastern Cape of South Africa they are the Amagqirha. These are the custodians of customs that survived through the centuries and remain the foundation of tribal life.

 Amagqirha receive a calling - followed by specialized training. Amagqirha hold the secrets to religion, magic and medicinal beliefs to amaXhosa speakers. They diagnose, divine and treat patients. In Joan Broster's words; This includes the central importance of dreams, different divination techniques, the indispensable power garneted by song and dance and the recognition and treatment of diseases caused by witchcraft and possession by evil spirits.

Joan Broster neé Clarke, was born in Engcobo Transkei  in 1916 and grew up there. Her parents James and Beatrice Clarke were traders. In 1938 she received a diploma from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. During the war she served as a nurse with the South African Military Nursing Service. Between the years 1952 and 1966, Joan and her husband Broughton Broster, ran the Qebe Trading Store at Qebe, situated between Qebe proper and Engcobo. As a qualified nurse, Joan helped out at the nearby hospital located at the All Saints Anglican Mission.
At Qebe, Joan developed a keen interest to the customs of the Qaba people, the local Thembu clan. She documented the importance of traditional beadwork and customs, which resulted in the publication of four books about Xhosa and related peoples. The books were titled: Amagqirha - Red Blanket Valley - The Thembu and African Elegance (a shared venture with Alice Mertens).

Herbert Bourn was born in Bethlehem South Africa in 1941. He studied photography a the Ruth Prowse Art School in Cape Town. Over time,  he worked for Nature Conservation at Cape Point, Etosha Game Reserve, Stellenbosch, the former Transkei and Ciskei and KwaZulu Natal. His interest in the Amagqirha began when he was in charge of Nature Conservation in Transkei.
Herbert Bourn met Joan Broster at her exhibition of tribal beadwork and dress during the former Transkei independence celebrations. She invited him to accompany her to photograph the graduation of a Thembu igqirha in Red Blanket Valley - Engcobo. This led to more visits to Amagqirha ceremonies to the Bhaca,  Bomvane, Gcaleka, Mfengu, Mpondo, Mpondomise,  and Xesibe clans.

Age toning, some shelf wear.
PLEASE CHECK IMAGES FOR CONDITION

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