Although in the African societies the term "holy" lets one think immediately of

monotheistic religions, here it is related to every person who maintains a supernaturally

mediating relation to the Godly sphere. Saints, as dilettantes with

special vocation and instructions, interfere in particular fields with actual professionals.

Apart of that, they intervene with general instructions and demands

in the lives of all members of their community : In relation to the supernatural

with the medicine man, shamans, concerning the divine with the priests and

religious scholars, socially and politically with those in power, politicians and

military. In any case the wonder is the regular confirmation of their charisma

and instructions. The saint can act here either as a simple mediator but also as

a medium in a broader sense. The contributions discuss how the biographical

material is constantly revised to keep its role in creating and maintaining a

historico-cultural identity. The sources to be investigated were not restricted

to written ones, but also include pieces of oral tradition and fine arts.