Ukutwasa – the call of a healer : an analogical lens into Jesus of Nazareth in Mark’s Gospel

Abstract

Jesus’ retreat into the wilderness soon after being baptized by John has been interpreted from three perspectives –as an echo of exodus narrative, an echo of Isaiah restoration narrative and as a baptismal liturgy. Because Mark presents Jesus as the best folk-healer and inaugurator of an alternative household within which healing, exorcism and teaching took place, I suggest that the analogue of ukutwasa (ritual whereby the healer retreats for the purpose of acquiring power) may provide illustrative insights into the importance of Jesus retreat; interpreted as rite of passage whereby the practitioner acquires healing powers. Using ukutwasa as an illustration and interpretive lense, Jesus’ retreat signifies three things –the role and power of the Spirit in initiation, the commitment of the practitioner staying on course during an initiative by avoiding things that could be prohibited and, lastly, being possessed by power which later became evident throughout his ministry.