Que sont les imilozi ?

Les imilozi, umlozi au singulier, sont des esprits ancestraux de la tradition zoulou qui s'expriment par des sifflements. Au lieu de parler avec des mots ordinaires, ils communiquent par une voix sifflee, souvent decrite comme venant du toit de la maison. Ils appartiennent a l'ensemble des ancetres, les amadlozi.

En quoi consiste la divination par les imilozi ?

C'est une pratique rare de la medecine traditionnelle zoulou. Le devin, appele umlozi, sert de medium, l'esprit siffle des paroles porteuses de sens pour la personne venue consulter. Cette forme de divination demande un apprentissage plus long, car le devin doit apprendre a reconnaitre les sifflements de ses ancetres.

Qui sont les abalozi ?

On nomme abalozi les personnes possedees par les imilozi et initiees a ce mode de guerison. Devenir abalozi suppose une initiation particuliere et l'apprentissage du langage siffle des ancetres, afin de comprendre clairement ce que les esprits cherchent a transmettre.

Back to the Codex

IMILOZI

neutral

Spirit

✦ SoulZoulou →Zoulou — ZoulouElder

Gender: Masculine/FeminineSign: ancêtres

Imilozi, umlozi in the singular, designates in Zulu culture ancestral spirits who express themselves through whistling. The name is linked to the act of whistling; these so-called whistling spirits communicate with the living through a whistled voice rather than ordinary words, often perceived as coming from the roof of the house. They belong to the vast body of the ancestors, the amadlozi, but are distinguished by this particular mode of expression. Divination through the imilozi is a rare practice of traditional Zulu medicine. The diviner, or umlozi, hears the spirit whistle words charged with meaning for the consultant, and serves as a medium for this voice. Those possessed by these whistling spirits and initiated into this type of healing are called abalozi, a path reputed to be longer and more demanding than the other forms of divination. The future diviner must learn to recognise the whistlings of his own ancestors in order to understand their message. This tradition has been described by the ethnographers of the possession cult in southern Africa.

Powers & Attributes

ancestors

Role in the ROHO universe

Ferryman of souls. IMILOZI ensures the circulation of souls and prevents stagnation between the worlds. Bound to the Zulu pantheon. Its alignment depends on the invoker's protocol.

Sacred Mask

An ancient ritual mask of vegetable ivory, amethyst and sacred wood, engraved with symbols of ancestors, embodiment of the power of Imilozi

Era

Ancient cycle

Frequently asked questions

What are the imilozi?

The imilozi, umlozi in the singular, are ancestral spirits of the Zulu tradition who express themselves through whistling. Instead of speaking with ordinary words, they communicate through a whistled voice, often described as coming from the roof of the house. They belong to the body of the ancestors, the amadlozi.

What does divination through the imilozi consist of?

It is a rare practice of traditional Zulu medicine. The diviner, called umlozi, serves as a medium; the spirit whistles words bearing meaning for the person who has come to consult. This form of divination demands a longer apprenticeship, for the diviner must learn to recognise the whistlings of his ancestors.

Who are the abalozi?

Abalozi is the name given to those possessed by the imilozi and initiated into this mode of healing. Becoming abalozi requires a particular initiation and the learning of the whistled language of the ancestors, in order to understand clearly what the spirits seek to convey.

Related spirits

ITONGO UKQILI UMVELINQANGI EHLOSE

Sources and references

Axel-Ivar Berglund, Zulu Thought-Patterns and Symbolism (1976)
Harriet Ngubane, Body and Mind in Zulu Medicine: An Ethnography of Health and Disease in Nyuswa-Zulu Thought and Practice (1977)