Dave Cumes, MD was born in South Africa and now resides in Santa Barbara, CA. He is both a surgeon and a sangoma (Zulu for Shaman). Dave was initiated as a sangoma by the San Bushmen in 2002 and since then has been receiving songs in his dreams. They are in many languages, depending on which ancestor is delivering the song. Though Dave is not a musician, the ancestors have told him the songs are for healing and musts be sung by him. Dave practices indigenous healing in Santa Barbara in addition to his surgical practice. He has authored many books on healing and co-authored a guide to native plants of the Santa Barbara region.