Ethnozoological uses of wildlife species among the Iraqw people of Mbulu District, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: The medicinal use of wild fauna has been a common practice for centuries. Human being has developed the knowledge on the exploitation and use of wild fauna for food, clothing, traditional healing and other purposes. Of recent, an interest in ethnozoological studies aiming at discovering new medications for human and animal health has increased. Although the knowledge on medicinal use of wild species is well established in many African tribes, it is rarely documented and thus fading with generations as the elders are more familiar on animals and their uses than young people. This study sought to record and document the traditional use of different wildlife species among the Iraqw people of Northern Tanzania and form a basis for conservation and sustainable use of these species. Method: The study employed semi-structured interview to collect data from 45 key informants who were identified to be knowledgeable and key users of wild animals in three villages namely Endagaw, Mewedan and Ng’wandakw in Mbulu district. Results: The results revealed multiple uses of 28 wild animals whereby 23 were used for food, 10 for medicinal and 5 had ritualistic values of were associated with traditional beliefs. The hare (Lepus microtis), Aardvark (Orycteropus afer), zebra (Equus guaga), ostritch (Struthio camelus), helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), African honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellate), ring necked dove (Streptopelia capicola), African mourning dove (Streptopelia decipiens), speckled pigeon (Columba guinea) were used for both food and medicine. Fat from baboon (Papio anubis), African elephant dung (Loxodonta africana), and black necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) were used as medicines for treatment of different ailments. Various medicinal uses such as treatment of wound from burn, kneading the pregnant women giving birth, ear pains and squatting the painful muscles. Animals such as Aardvark (Orycteropus afer), Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), Bush pig (Potamochoerus larvatus), pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) and owl (Strigiformes spp) had ritualistic value based on traditional beliefs.Conclusion: Traditional knowledge on the uses of wild animals is well established among the elders of the Iraqw community. However, this knowledge is fading with time due to minimal interactions between the youth and nature caused by introduction of formal education, embracing of foreign religions, increased use of pharmaceutical drugs and the declining of wildlife species as a result of habitat loss and overexploitation. We recommend more studies of this kind in order to provide a basis for conservation and sustainable use of wild animals in different parts of Africa and globally.