Amadlozi – Shaman Song

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AMADLOZI – Shaman SONG – AMACULO EZANGOMA

ZULU WORDS & MEANINGS;
Amaculo ezangoma – The songs of Sangoma’s; pronounced – ama – tcoo – lo, eh’ – San – goma
Umgido weSangoma – ceremony of a Sangoma; pronounced – um – geedo, we’ – San – goma
Ukucula – singing; pronounced – oo – koo – tcoo – la
Amambhulo – dream-vision-thinking; pronounced – amam – bhoo – lo
Amadlozi – Ancestral spirits; pronounced – amad –shlo –zee
Umoya – spirit energy or air and wind, life force; pronounced – u –moy – yah
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SONG – Ancestral Consciousness

The power of sound is something which has no limitation as does physical limitation, it moves through the otherworld’s easily. The tales of magickal songs within Cultural traditions all over the world are numerous. The Shamans weave their medicine through song and convey their messages to the community through sung prose and poem.
The shaman also uses song to prepare for other world journeying; a specific song that lets the ancestors and spirit know that the Shaman is ‘getting ready’ to enter the spirit world or is in ceremony or Umgido weSangoma and in a space to receive messages from the ancestors.

This is a power song; it expresses resonance and an energetic field and all that is currently being expressed through the core heart. Everything in existence has its own resonance, sound or song; some of it we can hear with our physical ears and others we need to develop our other worldly ears to hear. This is why listening is so important for the Sangoma; it enables us to hear beyond what might be considered normal reality.

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“But it was soon found that these were only to be explained, if explained at all, by comparison with the larger and more definite products of the popular mind the folk-tale, the folk-song, and the folk-institution which in their turn formed the raw material, the protoplasm as it were, out of which came literature” Folklore Society
Singing and chanting are a powerful form of expression and devotion; they can be used to empower, curse or praise as we see many traditions. They are also a way for the community to share in ritual, the ancestral consciousness, Ubuntu and the sacred.
“He proceeds to leap and dance, singing the while of his glory and renown; and finally breaks open a green calabash before the assembled company.”
African Religion
At times when words are not enough the power of notes and sounds accompanying the words takes over; song can heal and seal, complete and begin, herald great acts and give sacred acknowledgement to great sacrifice.

The song is part of the Sangoma and Shamans tools and this is so all over the world. Song is a unifying aspect and part of community sacredness. It is also the way that the Shaman brings spirit from the otherworlds into this world as sacred space is created by specific and special chants or songs. The song can call and evoke the presence of beings as much as it can herald a journey or ritual.
“Suddenly the Sangoma ceased dancing and looked down at the earth, bent her ear to the ground, and made weird noises, which seemed to come from her stomach, listened again to the earth, made loud expostulations, and set off dancing again”
The Bantu

“Suddenly he commenced to beat the drum softly and to sing in a voice; then the beating of the drum grew stronger and stronger; and his song in which could be heard sounds imitating the howling of the wolf, the groaning of the cargoose, and the voices of other animals, his guardian spirits appeared to come, sometimes from the corner nearest to my seat, then from the opposite end, then again from the middle of the house, and then it seemed to proceed from the ceiling”
Shamanism of Siberia

In African tradition, charmed song can also heal and change a situation, this is part of the tradition of Umoya and Umthandaza; such is the power of sound that it affects matter. Today science is catching up with this theory, but it is ancient wisdom which has been known by our ancestors for a long time. All substance can and is affected by sound and this makes the bird’s song in the morning and day very important in connection to the growth and well-being of plant matter and other animal being. We are not separated from this as bird song can stop us in our tracks, bidding us to find the bird and see where the song comes from.
Our world is naturally not a quiet one; take away the human sounds and mechanisms which blanket our hearing and every bird song, rustle of grass and leaf, running of water creates resonance and harmony. Take some time to notice that different bird songs all sung at the same time don’t jar you or sound awful, they resonate, unlike man made mechanized sounds which seem to become more distorted as they clash together.

Yet we have been gifted with the voice and song; the ancestors speak of it being our ‘oldest voice, that which speaks truly of our heart’. Truly when people sing together a whole different kind of space is created.
“The villagers, gathered in a circle around this scene, took up the dance and chant of the Sangoma’s, a few at a time and accompanied them until all the inhabitants were chanting and dancing around in a circle. Each one knew every step of the dance and every tone of the incantation. The Sangoma dared not make a mistake if he were to remain powerful in the eyes of the villagers.” African Medical Lore

For the Sangoma, specific ceremony is the most important time for the songs to be sung. Every song has a specific meaning and is deeply connected with the ancestral consciousness. Many are sung only at specific times and it is regarded as the voice that the ancestors really hear.

Below is s song which is sung at ceremonies referring to the ancestral snake; snakes in general are seen as either manifestations of the amadlozi or a greater Amakhosi spirit. Specific species off snakes have specific meanings as they appear.

Emanzini
Uyaya yini emanzini
Goban inyoka ikhuluma.
weSangoma
Repeat
Translation -    Are you going to the water because the Snake is talking?
Hey Sangoma

It is an important part of the Sangomas work to be able to drum, sing and dance as this aids the Sangoma in being able to work with the ancestral consciousness and create the right energetic space for the amadlozi to intensify their presence. Certain Sangoma songs will be particularly potent and important for the Sangoma and this is discovered through the initiation and training stage of the Sangoma. Usually it is guided by the response of the ancestors as the song which is most powerful to them.

Ancestral Song – Amambhulo

Most people also have their own ancestral power song which can be heard in your heart or soul. Discovering it is discovering your heart and a deeper connection to the ancestors and ancestral consciousness.
Once you have found those few notes, they will uplift you even on your darkest days and carry you through doubts when you are not sure where you are going.
The song does not have to start with words; it can just be a series of sounds at first.
Going to a powerful place in nature, such as forest or rivers is also a way to find your song. Sacred sites and ancient sites are also full of guidance about such chants.

The key is focusing your listening, and your inner listening to be aware of each and every sound, both internally and externally. Once you are aware of your song; practice it! It doesn’t matter if it changes slightly at the beginning, eventually you will find its wholeness and it will become second nature to sing it.
This is a small Amambhulo journey which you can do to help you find your song;

Call in your ancestors as you have been guided with the Umoya tree space and let them know that you wish to hear and find your song.
Allow your inner hearing to heighten…
Allow and visualize you’re self going to the river; it may appear next to your tree or you may see it a little distance away…
When you get to the river… sit down and relax… allow yourself to listen to the water…
As you listen you will begin to hear sounds and notes, eventually they will begin to form some kind of tune…
Allow you’re self to hum or sing along…
Allow yourself to remember the tune…
If you feel like getting up and moving with the tune in your meditation, not physical body… do so…

Remember to be observant of other signs such as other animals and plants which might appear in your vision.
Once you feel you have the basics of your song… give thanks to the river and head back to your Umoya tree space.
At your tree give thanks to the ancestors and bring yourself back to an ordinary state of consciousness.
Check your grounding and do extra grounding if necessary…
Light a candle or incense in your Makhosini and give thanks once more…

Once you have your ancestral song remember that it is a gift to you but also part of your ancestors; practice it in your Makhosini regularly and observe in yourself how it shifts your conscious state and your deeper connection with your amadlozi.

TASKS – Amadlozi – Song

Please give your answers in written form to your mentor with the other homework on your hand in date for module.

How do you currently understand the relationship between sound and matter or the physical?
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

Go into mediation in your Makhosini with your Umoya tree space and ask the ancestors to be present. Ask them to show you and tell you more about Song medicine… Don’t force the it and allow it to come gently, whether it be a feeling, vision or word communication… practicing this kind of communication is key to ancestral relationship.
Remember to give thanks at the end.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

Go into mediation in your Makhosini with your Umoya tree space and ask the ancestors to be present. then using the song Amambhulo visualization above… see if today you will find your ancestral song; if you don’t, try this task another day.
Don’t force it and allow it to come gently, whether it be a feeling, vision or word communication… practicing this kind of communication is key to ancestral relationship.
Remember to give thanks at the end.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

Go into mediation in your Makhosini with your Umoya tree space and ask the ancestors to be present. Ask them to tell you why song is one of the oldest voices’, why it has the power to shift even the community consciousness? Don’t force the answer and allow it to come gently, whether it be a feeling, vision or word communication… try not to edit… practicing this kind of communication is key to ancestral relationship.
Remember to give thanks at the end.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

Go into mediation in your Makhosini with your Umoya tree space and ask the ancestors to be present. If you have found your ancestral song… sing it. How does your heart feel when you do this? How does it shift the Makhosini space?
Don’t force it and allow it to come gently, whether it be a feeling, vision or word communication… practicing this kind of communication is key to ancestral relationship.
Remember to give thanks at the end.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

Make an offering to your ancestors in your Makhosini space, something which you feel represents your connection with them and the song you have been given, it can be anything which feels right for you… make the intention of your offering with love and gratitude and then allow your self to sit in the space for a while…
What was your offering? How does the experience feel?
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date

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Copyright Sarah Wager January 2011