# Divination bones

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{{Short description|Bones used in supernatural rituals}}{{Multiple images
| image1            =
| caption1          = Divination Dice of the [Venda people](/source/Venda_people)
| image2            = Sangoma reading the Bones.jpg
| caption2          = [Sangoma](/source/Sangoma) contacting the spirits of the [Badimo](/source/Badimo) through divination bones
| total_width       = 
| direction         = vertical
| footer_align      = center
}}

'''Divination bones''' ([Sotho-Tswana languages](/source/Sotho-Tswana_languages): '''''ditaola''''', [isiZulu](/source/isiZulu): '''''amathambo''''') are pieces of bones and vertebrae, carved ivory dice and [cowrie shells](/source/Cowrie-shell_divination) used for [divination](/source/divination). It is widely known in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) where traditional healers, especially of the [Bantu people](/source/Bantu_peoples_of_South_Africa) for divination.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Campbell|first=A.C.|date=1968|title=Some Notes on Ngwaketse Divination|journal=Botswana Notes and Records|volume=1|pages=9–13|jstor=409792|hdl=10520/AJA052550590_639}}</ref>

Mokgale Makgopa and Magaelane Koma of the [University of Venda](/source/University_of_Venda) wrote that divination bones can consist of coins, dominoes, pieces of metal and gems and other things of significance to the healer.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Makgopa |first1=Mokgale| last2= Koma|first2=Magaelane |date=2009| journal=Indilinga–African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems|volume=8|issue=1|title=The Use of Ditaola (Divination Bones) Among Indigenous Healers in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province |doi=10.4314/indilinga.v8i1.48242 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [Scapulimancy](/source/Scapulimancy)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Traditional African religions
Category:Traditional African medicine
Category:Traditional medicine
Category:Bantu peoples of South Africa
Category:Objects used for divination

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