How are forms of healing shaped by the social and religious structures of the society in which they articulate? In highly plural medical contexts, how are different philosophies of and methods for treating illness differentiated? To what degree must participants in healing activities identify with the healing context in order for treatments to be effective? This paper begins to address some of these questions by considering aspects of the use of language in the practice of healing in a medically plural context in southern Africa. I take as a case study a rural district in central Mozambique where, in the post-civil war context, Pentecostal/Charismatic African Independent healing churches and female spirit mediums are both undergoing rapid growth. It examines the ways in which language is used as a critical means through which healing is effected in the ceremonies of spirit mediums and of healing churches. It also explores differences in language use between these two major types of healing practices in rural Africa and leads to questions about the ways in which such language use leads to changes not only in physical but also in social realities.