Medicinal plants and animals sold by the "Yan-Shimfidas" of Sabo Wuse in Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sabo Wuse, a resettlement in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State inhabits the original inhabitants of Wuse in Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria. Despite the close proximity of about 65km to the urban settlement of Abuja, Sabo Wuse is still a relatively remote settlement; their lifestyle remained more or less unchanged and therefore, relied on their traditional knowledge for health care delivery. Recent ethnobotanical survey in Sabo Wuse has documented plants not indigenous to the area. In view of this, a survey was carried out to identify and document plants and animal materials sold by the Yan- shimfidas in the local settlement and to study their uses in treatment of ailments and other socio-cultural problems. The result shows that most of the herb sellers of Sabo Wuse were immigrants from the northern part of the country who had stayed in the village of Sabo Wuse for over twenty years. Thirty-four different plant species in twenty-one different families were documented. These were in the form of stem barks, leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, flower buds and fruit juices. Six different animal fats and skin, dung or other parts of animal of twenty two different species were also documented. All the materials documented were used for the treatment of various diseases and ailments ranging from the physical to the metaphysical. The study uncovered the remains of ancient medical practices which still exist in traditional societies in Nigeria. Therefore, the documentation of these practices can conserve the culture and traditional knowledge of this community. Key words: Indigenous knowledge, ‘Yan-Shimfida’, Sabo-Wuse, Nigeria.