A Zambian word that is most often translated as "doctor," but may also refer to a specialized magical practitioner.
- Ngakas of the rain, for example, are comparable to European weather witches in that they specialize in generating or ending storms.
- Every animal, particularly the most deadly, has ngakas who either defend humans from the species or send the species after them.
- The ngaka shares the essence of the animal with whom she is associated, and may converse with it as well as change into the creature with which she shares its nature.
You may also want to read more about Paganism here.
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