In many cultures around the world, there exists the belief in witch doctors or traditional healers. These individuals are often seen as possessing supernatural or spiritual powers that enable them to diagnose and treat illness or afflictions. The practice of witch doctors varies greatly across different cultures, but there are common elements that characterize this ancient profession. Witch doctors are often the primary source of medical care in communities that lack access to modern healthcare facilities. They have deep knowledge of traditional healing techniques, herbal medicine, and rituals that have been passed down through generations. In many cases, witch doctors are considered the healers of last resort, as they are often sought out when all other medical options have been exhausted.

witch doctor

Recent Examples on the Web On the other chair was Sincere Seven, the 43-year-old master of this ceremony, who calls himself a multidimensional travel agent, spiritual tour guide, medicine man and witch doctor. — John Carlisle, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2022 What, did Orlando City send a staffer to Sacramento’s practice or a witch doctor? — Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 But a witch doctor told them their girls, Victorine and Victoria Nikiema, needed to beg for money on the side of the road or risk being killed by a family member’s spirit. — Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 Zagre and her husband, Ousmane Nikiema, visited a witch doctor after giving birth to both sets of twins. — Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 They are driven by dream requests and witch doctor instructions, mothers told The Associated Press. — Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 Fine, the witch doctor (played by Keener) acknowledges. — Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Aug. 2021 However, getting policy statements from the Center of the American Experiment on how to do this is like getting cancer treatment advice from a witch doctor. — Star Tribune, 26 Jan. 2021 Signs turned up showing me dressed like an African witch doctor with a bone through my nose. — Barack Obama, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'witch doctor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Witch dotor

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The Doctor is in! House M.D. meets Fringe in the first Skybound Original from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman''s new comics imprint! Meet Vincent Morrow, a doctor looking for a vaccine. for the apocalypse! Horror gets a brain transplant in Witch Doctor. This bundle collects WITCH DOCTOR #0-4, WITCH DOCTOR: THE RESUSCITATION one-shot and WITCH DOCTOR: MAL PRACTICE # 1-6.

Bundle Includes:

WITCH DOCTOR Volume 1 - "Under the Knife"

WITCH DOCTOR Volume 2 - "Mal Practice"

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https://store.skybound.com/products/witch-doctor-the-complete-collection 6764426985547 Witch Doctor The Complete Collection //store.skybound.com/cdn/shop/products/WitchDoctor_CompleteCollection_Bundle_SHOP.png?v=1665516464 //store.skybound.com/cdn/shop/products/WitchDoctor_CompleteCollection_Bundle_SHOP_large.png?v=1665516464 9.99 USD InStock Comics All All Comic singles and Trades All Items but Grimm Forest, Ezekiel Statue, and Bundles Best Selling Products Buy 2 Get 1 TT plus 25% sale Comic Books Xpo 50% off Comic Bundles Discount Exlusion - Saga, Monstress, Statues Does Not Contain Games or Pre-orders Earth Day Sale EVERYTHING BUT BLACK FRIDAY BUNDLES Everything but Games Everything but Pre Order, AP, Schmoe, POD, Bundles, CGC, AFA and New things Fan Reward Sale Holiday 20% sale Exclusions Holiday Sale 2023 July 4th 2020 Sale with Exclusions Labor Day Sale Limited Bestsellers Memorial Mega Sale 2020 New Products Newest Comics & Books No Prime, No Problem Paperback Sale St Patricks Day Secret List 2021 St. Patricks Day Sale 2021 Surprise Books Sale Surprise Sale Collection test collectoin Under $25 Video Games exclusions Witch Doctor Xpo III Sale

The Doctor is in! House M.D. meets Fringe in the first Skybound Original from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman''s new comics imprint! Meet Vincent Morrow, a doctor looking for a vaccine. for the apocalypse! Horror gets a brain transplant in Witch Doctor. This bundle collects WITCH DOCTOR #0-4, WITCH DOCTOR: THE RESUSCITATION one-shot and WITCH DOCTOR: MAL PRACTICE # 1-6.

Bundle Includes:

WITCH DOCTOR Volume 1 - "Under the Knife"

WITCH DOCTOR Volume 2 - "Mal Practice"

SHIPPING INFO: The books ship immediately. For US customers, the box arrives within 7-10 business days after shipping and for international customers, the box arrives within 10-15 business days (based on the shipping method selected).

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witch doctor

1718 , Francis Hutchinson, “The Tryal before My Lord Chief Baron Hale”, in An Historical Essay Concerning Witchcraft. [ … ] , London: Printed for R. Knaplock, [ … ] , and D. Midwinter, [ … ] , →OCLC, page 110 :

[T]he ſaid Dorothy Durent, having been with a Witch-Doctor, acknowledges upon Oath, that by his Advice, ſhe hang'd up her Child's Blanket in the Chimney, found a Toad in it at Night, had put it into the Fire, and held it there tho' it made a great and horrible Noiſe, and flaſht like Gunpowder, and went off like a Piſtol, and then became inviſible, and that by this the Priſoner was ſcorch'd and burn'd lamentably.

1820 , J[ohn] C. Knowlson, “The Felon”, in The Complete Cow-leech, or Cattle-Doctor; [ … ] , Otley, Yorkshire: Printed for the author by T. F. Bristow, [ … ] , →OCLC, page 104 :

Some people are so foolish as to go to a witch-doctor when they have Cows in this complaint [prematurely parting with their unborn calves]:—they give him some money, and he tells them some frivolous tale, such as that some person that wishes them bad luck, or looks upon them with an evil eye, [. ]

At that consultation, according to the habit of a witch-doctor, he divined and announced the occasion of their attendance, and indicated the complainant, Mdungazwe, as the wizard who had caused Ranise to suffer.

1958 April 1, David Seville [pseudonym; Ross Bagdasarian Sr.] (lyrics and music), “Witch Doctor”, in The Alvin Show :

1971 , W. G. Jilek, “From Crazy Witch Doctor to Auxiliary Psychotherapist: The Changing Image of the Medicine Man”, in Psychiatria Clinica , volume 4, number 4, Basel, New York, N.Y.: S[amuel] Karger, →OCLC, abstract, page 200 :

Review of the literature cited in the bibliography of the present paper left this author with the impression that there is indeed a very widespread institution variously labelled by Western observers with epithets such as medicine-man, shaman, witch-doctor, native healer, or with indigenous terms such as angakok (Eskimo), or mganga (Swahili).

1982 , Sudhir Kakar, “Other Shamans”, in Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: A Psychological Inquiry into India and Its Healing Traditions , New York, N.Y.: Knopf, →ISBN; republished New York, N.Y.: Knopf, 2013 , →ISBN:

In much of popular Western literature, the non-Western professional who attends to the relief of distress and alleviation of anxiety in his society is known by many names, none of them exactly respectful. He is a medicine man or a witch doctor, native healer or voodoo sorcerer—the "quack," so to speak, never the "doctor."

1993 , Hama Tuma, The Case of the Socialist Witchdoctor and Other Stories (African Writers Series), Oxford, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann, →ISBN, page 36 :

The man being led into the Cage did not strike me as a witchdoctor. Slim and tall, he was a middle-aged man with a fuzzy Afro which made him look even younger.

Alternative forms [ edit ]

• witch-doctor , witchdoctor

Hypernyms [ edit ]

Hyponyms [ edit ]

• curandero ( Central America )
• dukun ( Malay )
• mganga ( Africa )
• ngaka ( Sotho )
• obeah ( Africa , Caribbean )
• sadet ( Jarai (Vietnam) )
• sangoma ( South Africa )

In many cases, witch doctors are considered the healers of last resort, as they are often sought out when all other medical options have been exhausted. One aspect of the role of a witch doctor is their ability to communicate with spirits or otherworldly beings. They may perform rituals or ceremonies to invoke these spirits, seeking guidance or assistance in diagnosing and treating ailments.

This spiritual aspect of their practice sets them apart from other healthcare providers, as they believe that illness is often caused by spiritual imbalances or malevolent entities. Another important aspect of the witch doctor's role is their ability to use medicinal plants and herbs to treat various ailments. They have extensive knowledge of the healing properties of different plants and know how to prepare them for medicinal use. This reliance on natural remedies is often seen as a more holistic approach to healing, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of illness. While the practice of witch doctors is deeply rooted in tradition and cultural belief systems, it is important to note that their methods are not always scientifically proven or recognized by mainstream medical establishments. However, many people still place their trust in these healers, as they have been proven effective in many cases throughout history. In conclusion, witch doctors play a vital role in communities that rely on traditional healing methods. Their ability to connect with spirits and use natural remedies makes them an important source of medical care, especially in areas where modern healthcare is limited. While their methods may not always align with scientific explanations, their effectiveness and cultural significance should not be dismissed..

Reviews for "Witch Doctors: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health Challenges"

1. Sarah - 1/5

I was super excited to watch "Witch Doctor" as I'm a big fan of supernatural movies. However, this movie turned out to be a major disappointment. The plot was poorly developed and lacked any real substance. The acting was subpar and the characters were poorly developed and unlikable. Overall, "Witch Doctor" failed to deliver any scares or thrills and left me feeling bored and uninterested.

2. Mike - 2/5

I was expecting a lot more from "Witch Doctor" considering the promising trailer. Unfortunately, the movie fell flat for me. The story was all over the place and lacked any coherent narrative. The special effects were lackluster and failed to create any real sense of horror. The pacing was slow and it felt like the movie was dragging on forever. Overall, "Witch Doctor" was a forgettable and underwhelming experience that I wouldn't recommend to others.

3. Emily - 2/5

I had high hopes for "Witch Doctor" as I enjoy supernatural thriller movies, but this one missed the mark. The story was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations. The scares were predictable and lacked any originality. The acting was mediocre at best and failed to bring any depth to the characters. Overall, "Witch Doctor" felt like a wasted opportunity and left me feeling unsatisfied.

4. Mark - 1/5

I can't believe how terrible "Witch Doctor" was. The plot was convoluted and poorly developed, making it hard to follow and stay engaged. The dialogue was cringeworthy and the acting felt forced. The special effects were laughably bad and failed to create any sense of fear or tension. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution was a total disaster. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on "Witch Doctor".

Witch Doctors in Traditional African Medicine: A Rich Heritage