Abstract
This study examines ubungoma, ancestral invocation within the Zulu healing practice in South Africa, as a unique form of oral art. It is driven by the need to document and preserve this vital aspect of African cultural heritage amidst globalization and ubungoma’s increasing prominence. The research focused on filling the gap in the existing literature regarding the orality of ubungoma, such as ukuvusela’s artistic expression. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology; data was collected through surveys of Zulu sangomas (traditional healers) and social media video recordings of ukuvusela performances. Orality theory and Afrocentrism theory are the main frameworks that founded this study. The collected data was analysed to identify oral art characteristics and explore poetic elements (parallelism, rhyme, refrain, and alliteration) within the performances. The findings indicated that ukuvusela meets the criteria for oral art, exhibiting aspects such as generational transmission, oral delivery, spiritual significance, and cultural preservation. Additionally, the analysis uncovered notable poetic features, establishing ukuvusela as a distinct genre of Zulu oral poetry, recognized for its rich structure and emotional resonance. The study concluded that ukuvusela is a powerful tool for cultural preservation, spiritual connection, and community cohesion, effectively transmitting Historical knowledge, values, and beliefs.