Abstract
This paper examined ethnoveterinary medicines and practices as cultural heritage in Mushagashe Small Scale Commercial Farming Area in Masvingo province. It applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather data. A Semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and participant observation were used. SPSS version 16 and Excel software were used to analyse quantitative data while themes were developed for qualitative data. Results show that the knowledge of common diseases, diagnosis and medicines was dominated by males (80%). 50% of the age group above 60 years, was more knowledgeable, followed by the (35 - 60 years) age group (35%), while the least (15%) were between 25-35 years. Those in the 25-35 years category ridiculed and regarded traditional medicines as archaic. The age group 36 - 60 years (62.5%), were reluctant to share their knowledge, while herbalists were secretive as a way of socially patenting it. Only 10% respondents were aware of the toxicity levels while the majority (70%) considered traditional medicines as safe and effective. The study concluded that ethnoveterinary supersede modern veterinary practices in the area, but lacks pharmaceutical validation and documentation. It recommended the aligning of government policy on intellectual property rights and the validation to promote commercialisation. Keywords: Ethnoveterinary medicines, Indigenous knowledge systems, Livelihoods, Traditional medicines, Cultural heritage.
Highlights
This paper examined ethnoveterinary medicines and practices as cultural heritage in Mushagashe Small Scale Commercial Farming Area in Masvingo province
Ethnoveterinary medicines and practices are a branch of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), which look at unique local knowledge on animal health and associated diagnostic skills, practices, beliefs, practitioners, and social structures (Maroyi, 2013)
The larger population of Mushagashe derive their livelihoods from livestock as their natural capital their need to protect them even in the wake of economic challenges and climate variability
Summary
This paper examined ethnoveterinary medicines and practices as cultural heritage in Mushagashe Small Scale Commercial Farming Area in Masvingo province. The pursuance in the adoption of traditional medicines and practices denotes what can be regarded as resilience to the more modern veterinary practices which is a form of westernization. It can be viewed as cultural heritage to local people that affects their livelihoods. This paper adopted the UNESCO (1972) definition of cultural heritage which encompasses monuments, collections of objects, traditions or living expressions inherited from ancestors and passed on to descendants, such as oral traditions, social practices, rituals, festive events and practices concerning nature and the universe.
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