Ethiopian traditional veterinary practices and their possible contribution to animal production and management.

Abstract

The wide variety of traditional veterinary practices maintained within different ethnic groups provides an indication of the potential usefulness of this neglected knowledge for the Ethiopian livestock husbandry. In Ethiopia, as in other countries, traditional veterinary medicine involves the work of bone-setters, midwives, religious healers and people who claim the ability to communicate with devils. The knowledge of pastoralists in the areas of tick control, recognition of toxic plants, traditional surgery and traditional vaccination methods is described. Efforts by a Chinese veterinary team to promote traditional Ethiopian veterinary practices have been encouraging. Further evaluation of traditional veterinary practices is recommended as a condition for the integration of these practices with those of modern veterinary medicine. It is also suggested that this evaluation be coordinated and encouraged by the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture in Ethiopia.