By: Ruth Yared
African View, November 30, 2023
The trance dance, which is still practiced by San communities in the Kalahari region, is an indigenous ritual by which a state of altered consciousness is achieved through rhythmic dancing and hyperventilation. The San people of Southern parts of Africa, believe that dance has healing powers. This, isn’t just any dance, it’s a powerful trance-inducing dance led by the elders.
The San people of Botswana and Namibia were formerly known as Bushmen. Their traditions and way of life may be preserved from ancient times.
The trance dance is a healing dance for individuals and the community as a whole. It is their most prominent religious practice, according to some sources. It can take several forms. Many adults, both men, and women become healers in San communities.
The tribe gathers around a fire where the elders and healers of the community lead them in a dance. These elders chant and hyperventilate until they induce a trance-like state while going around the fire. In this state, it’s believed that the elders and healers are granted access to the spirit world where they can ask for the healing powers to cure illness in their community.
This dance is also believed to cure something they call “star sickness” which causes anger, jealousy and arguments among members of the community.
These are all traditions that are practiced today. As bizarre and farfetched as they may sound, they actually take place every year and you simply must see them to believe it.
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