Yesterday we visited the sangoma, a traditional health practitioner who works with herbs and consultations with the ancestors to provide advice and treatment to visitors. The sangoma danced for us to the tune of a single drum. His dance expressed his consultation with his ancestors and their pleasure with our visit.

I live close to the sangoma and could return for my own consultation for a fee of E100, about $8, if I wished to discuss a health or life problem with him. I hear his drum regularly, usually on Friday nights, and wonder what is happening.