The Mganga’s Code: Ethics and Responsibilities of Traditional Healers

Traditional healers, or Mgangas, hold a revered position in East African communities. Their role extends beyond physical healing to spiritual guidance, conflict resolution, and cultural preservation. To maintain trust and uphold their sacred duties, Mgangas adhere to a set of ethical principles and responsibilities. This “code” ensures their practices remain beneficial, respectful, and grounded in their communities’ cultural and spiritual values.

1. Commitment to Healing and Well-Being

• Holistic Care: Mgangas are tasked with treating not only physical ailments but also spiritual, emotional, and communal issues.
• Prioritizing the Patient: The well-being of the patient is paramount. Healers are expected to act in the best interests of those seeking their help, avoiding any practices that may cause harm.
• Maintaining Balance: Healing practices aim to restore balance between the physical and spiritual realms, ensuring harmony in the individual’s life and community.

2. Respect for Ancestral Guidance

• Honoring Ancestral Spirits: Mgangas act as intermediaries between the living and the ancestors, ensuring rituals and practices honor ancestral guidance.
• Ethical Use of Spiritual Powers: Healers are entrusted with sacred knowledge and powers, which must never be used for malicious purposes, such as curses or revenge (uchawi).

3. Confidentiality and Trust

• Sacred Duty of Privacy: Just as modern doctors follow confidentiality, Mgangas are expected to keep their patients’ issues private, fostering trust.
• Safe Spaces for Healing: Patients should feel safe sharing their struggles, knowing they will not face judgment or betrayal.

4. Honesty and Transparency

• Clear Communication: Healers must clearly explain their methods, rituals, and any potential outcomes to their patients.
• Avoiding Exploitation: Mgangas must not take advantage of vulnerable individuals by making false promises or charging exorbitant fees.

5. Respect for Nature and Sustainability

• Ethical Harvesting: Many traditional remedies come from nature. Healers are expected to harvest herbs, roots, and other materials sustainably, ensuring resources remain available for future generations.
• Conservation Advocates: As custodians of natural wisdom, Mgangas often encourage their communities to protect the environment and its biodiversity.

6. Cultural Preservation and Education

• Custodians of Tradition: Healers play a vital role in preserving and transmitting cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and indigenous knowledge to future generations.
• Educating Communities: Mgangas often educate their communities on traditional health practices, fostering self-reliance and respect for cultural heritage.

7. Avoidance of Harmful Practices

• Rejecting Harmful Witchcraft: Ethical Mgangas distance themselves from destructive practices such as curses or harmful spells.
• Ensuring Safety: All rituals, remedies, and treatments must prioritize the safety and dignity of the patient. Harmful or exploitative practices are strictly avoided.
• Community Accountability: A healer’s actions are often subject to scrutiny by the community, ensuring accountability.

8. Conflict Resolution and Community Harmony

• Mediators of Disputes: Mgangas often mediate family or community conflicts, using rituals and spiritual insight to promote reconciliation.
• Healing Beyond the Individual: Their work extends to resolving collective issues such as epidemics, droughts, or social unrest, fostering communal well-being.

9. Commitment to Continuous Learning

• Adapting to Modern Challenges: Ethical Mgangas continually update their knowledge, blending traditional wisdom with modern insights to address emerging health and spiritual challenges.
• Mentorship: Senior healers are responsible for training and guiding apprentices, ensuring ethical practices are passed down.

10. Accountability to Spiritual and Community Standards

• Spiritual Integrity: Healers are bound by their spiritual beliefs to act with integrity, honesty, and compassion.
• Community Oversight: In many societies, elders or councils oversee the practices of Mgangas, ensuring they adhere to cultural and ethical standards.
• Expulsion for Misconduct: Healers who exploit, harm, or deceive others may face expulsion from their roles and community condemnation.

Contact Dr. Mama Okowa
Call: +254708307801
Bungoma, Nyanza and Western, Kenya