Indigenous Wisdom and Folk Healing Practices among Urban Oromo of the Gibe Region in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Jimma and Agaro Towns

Abstract

This folkloric study was aimed at documenting and exploring the utilization, spiritual and philosophical aspect and preparation of folk medicinal plants among the urban Oromo of the Gibe region with reference to Jimma and Agaro town. A total of 14 informants within the age group of 43 to 79 were interviewed several times on different folk medicinal plants. About 25 folk medicinal plants species were classified across 10 types, based on part of the plant used for medicinal purpose, have been documented with their scientific names in the study. The study indicate that folk medicinal plants used by the urban Oromo's are under serious risk due to external and internal influences. Modernization and acculturation have contributed a lot in making the younger generation unwilling to practice, utilize and preserve traditional knowledge in general and folk medicine in particular. Thus, attention should be given for the preservation of these plants and folk healer's wisdom.

Missed opportunity for routine vaccination and associated factors among children aged 0–23 months in public health facilities of Jimma Town

“…The study was conducted in two public hospitals and two public health centers in Jimma Town: Jimma University Medical Center, Shanan Gibe General Hospital, Jimma Health Center, and Higher 2 Health Center. Jimma town is located 353 km from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia to the Southwest ( Fig 1 ) [ 20 ]. The study was conducted from September 15 to October 16, 2022 All the participant recruitment, interviews, and medical record card reviews were done within these specific days.…”

The Intersection of Kedayan Folk Medicine and Traditional Ecological Calendar

“…Traditional codified medicine was popular as early as 1600 B.C. among Syrians, Babylonians and ancient Hebrews (Edae et al 2017). In India, the earliest reference of the use of plants for medicinal purposes appears in Rig Veda, which is said to be written between 1600-3500 B.C.…”

“…By the end of the twentieth century, most of the population in developing countries were still relying on traditional codified and folk medicines to meet their primary healthcare needs (Balick and Cox 1996;Etana 2010;Setswe 1999). Contrary to modern biomedicine, folk and codified traditional medicines employ a combination of spiritual and drug-based healing approaches (Edae et al 2017;Franco and Narasimhan 2012). In folk medicines, herbs and other remedies are used to treat infections, disorders and physical injuries, while rituals, counselling and folk wisdom are used to enhance spiritual well-being (Kamsani et al 2020).…”