A person possessed by or "called" by an uMndawe spirit may experience:
: uMndawe is predominantly considered a "water spirit". It is often associated with rivers and the ocean, and its presence in a person's spiritual lineage often requires rituals involving water. idlozi-umndawe
: In the hierarchy of ancestors, uMndawe is often seen as a powerful, strict, and highly disciplined spirit. It often demands specific forms of recognition, such as unique traditional attire (often featuring red, white, and occasionally green colors) or beads. Signs and Manifestations A person possessed by or "called" by an
: During spiritual manifestations (ukubhula or ukuhlola), the person may speak in a dialect resembling Shangaan or Ndau, even if they do not know the language fluently. Spiritual Requirements and Rituals It often demands specific forms of recognition, such
: These spirits are said to have entered many South African family lineages through historical interactions, such as intermarriage or past conflicts with the Ndau/Karanga people.
: Intense heat in the feet or body, or feeling "heavy" as if submerged in water.