Ngangkari - Believe and Heal

Is Ngangkari (spirit doctor) real? Yes, it is! I have experienced it for myself. I've had someone I cared for deeply brought back from near death because of a Ngangkari. This was an unforgettable and extraordinary experience that will stay with me for life.

I was living in a remote Aboriginal community, located in the central desert. One beautiful sunny day, I decided to go for a walk around the community. The land was surrounded by red sand, small shrubs, sand hills and many flies. I heard a noise close by, almost like a whimpering. I tried looking around and couldn’t see anything. Which was odd because in my vicinity there was only a house, a car and a broken footpath. As I tried to follow the noise of the whimper; it led me near the car. I looked under it and saw a tiny furry thing. When I moved in closer, I realised it was a young pup. I moved my hand in front of him and he licked it. So, I reached under and pulled him out. He was the length of my hand which is not big at all. I started looking around to see if I could see his mum, as I was worried he would not survive long without her. I asked people around the area and they said that hadn’t seen a dog that was recently pregnant or looked similar.

“Koonga, it’s a camp dog, they wander everywhere.”

I was told by one of the local mobs.

After hours of searching went by, I decided to take him home. I fed him mashed chicken and milk which he seemed to enjoy. He was very adorable, and I couldn’t believe I found him. I had to keep him secret as I was not allowed animals where I was staying; my accommodation was owned by my employer. After awhile, a friend and I named him Bulini (Boo) – meaning survivor in our language.

I only had a small studio flat with no yard, so he was stuck inside all day while I was working which saddened me and probably Boo too. I would take him on walks before and after work, but I felt it still wasn’t enough. Luckily one day when I was walking with Boo, he ran up to a young couple. The woman was infatuated by him and played with him on a small grass patch that was in town. The lady asked many questions about him and by the end wondered if she could visit him. I said no problem and offered her to visit him anytime during the day when I was working. I left the door unlocked and a few times a week she or her husband would pick him up and take him for the day. I also had friends come over and spend time with him. He was always the life of the party. It was perfect. Boo was living it up as the towns four-legged charmer.

Six months later he began to stop eating. I thought he may have stopped liking the food, so I changed it, but he didn’t like that either. He then began to have diarrhoea and not long after that, started vomiting. He stopped drinking any liquid and most nights would hide under the bed. I was heartbroken I was in a remote area with no access to a vet or medically supplies. I took him to work with me even though I would surely be in serious trouble. I asked a friend who worked at the clinic as a nurse if she might look at him. By now he was half his weight and barely able to walk. She gave him hydrolytes and a pill to possibly stop the diarrhoea and vomiting. He swallowed the pill and we thought, yes this is it. But unfortunately, he could not keep the pill down and refused to have any liquid.

By now I was at my wits end and I did not know what to do as he was dying right in front of me. I called my dad whose career was involved in working with animals. He contacted a Veterinarian friend and they concluded that Boo had Parvo; an incurable disease related with dogs. Boo was going to die. I was in hysterics knowing that I was helpless, and that nothing was going to work for him. He was in agony and wasn’t going to survive. For some reason, I decided to take him to work with me the next day. Boo laid on a bed I made for him and he never touched his water or food. He didn’t move at all throughout the day and wouldn’t even go outside. A friend came to visit me at work who was a member of the community. They asked me what was wrong. I explained the story and she asked me to go get him.

The woman took him from my hands and sat on a chair. She said I will hold him here on the chest as she placed her arm under him, in-between his front legs. Then she placed her other hand on his head. She said look, as she stared at her arm. A huge vein appeared, travelling from near her underarm all the way down past her wrist into her hand. She said it was the Kumina (snake), travelling to his heart and healing him. We sat there for 30 minutes, which I was surprised as Boo would not even sit with anyone for longer than 5 minutes, but he seemed very calm almost in a peaceful state.

The healer handed him back and he was still as limp as he was an hour ago. I thought to myself that this was silly and I wasted my time. Then he vomited all over my lap and on the floor. The same thought came into my head, this is a waste of time and this did not work. Now all we had to show for was Boo’s mess right next to the boss’ office. I went to put him off my lap but instead he leaped off. I staggered to try and catch him as I thought he was going to fall and hurt himself, but he didn’t. He just landed on all fours and ran outside. I was in shock; I haven’t seen him run in a week. I then got his bowl with hydrolytes in it and gave it to him. With great shock, he drank it for the first time in 4 days. It was amazing, incredible and a miracle! This lady, this Ngangkari saved his life. I was so happy, I even got excited when I saw him go for his first wee.

Boo survived and it was thanks to the Ngangkari of animals. I bet I am not the first person to be sceptical of spiritual healing, but I can admit that I was wrong. I am certain it is true, and it is real. I have someone I cared for deeply brought back from near death by a Ngangkari, because of someone who was willing to help. I will forever believe and forever be grateful.

Boo and I unfortunately did not live together for very long after he got well. As I said bringing him to work would get me in big trouble, but it was well worth it to see him leap for joy and run around causing havoc again. I sent Boo to the RSPCA in the closest town to me. My dad again had a contact there, that would take great care of him. Boo is one of the most caring, happy and intelligent dogs I have had the pleasure of meeting and it was a pleasure being a part of his life. He was able to learn so many different tricks and skills. Every trick I taught him was spoken in the local indigenous language, Pitjantjatjara. Boo is now a proud member of the canine police department in Alice Springs. Woof woof Boo, you did great my little camp dog.