Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Medicinal Plants and Nyamwezi People in Tabora Region, Tanzania
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1999-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was geared to obtaining and documenting indigenous knowledge used by
Nyamwezi people in Tabora region (Tanzania) to conserve and utilise sustainably the
diversity of medicinal plants. Tabora rural distllct in which this study was conducted is
one of the districts occupied by Nyamwezi people. Four administrative wards were
chosen randomly: Magiri, Ilolangulu, Igalula, and Ikongolo. The indigenous knowledge
of this cultural group was thought to be impOt1ant due to the fact that Tabora region falls
in the 'Miombo' woodland zone where about 60% of the plants are known to have
medicinal value. Another factor was that human activities in Tabora are threatening plant
survival today. The fact that indigenous knowledge of Nyamwezi was getting eroded
with the biodiversity like that of other indigenous cultural groups elsewhere, made this
study important.
Three survey methods were employed during this study to collect data trom the field.
Two participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tec1miques were used to collect indigenous
knowledge related to conservation of medicinal plants and/or their habitats. PRA
techniques used were open-ended conversation and intriguing practice and beliefs. Semistructured
interview was used to obtain the commonly used medicinal plants and related
aspects. This method was also employed to ascertain the household's therapy. Paired
comparison was used to find out the activities considered most threatening to the
diversity of medicinal plants and/or their habitats.
It was found that Nyamwezi people host important indigenous knowledge/practice that
can be blended with fonnal tec1miques to conserve biodiversity effectively. These
include Nyamwezi people beliefs and taboos regarding the conservation and use of
medicinal plants, handling and care of sacred groves (Mazimbu), home gardens and
observing indigenous rules and regulations. Concerning household's treatment, it was
observed that a large number of Nyamwezi people use both traditional and formal
healing systems for their primary health care. There was highly significant difference
(**p<O.OI, F=16.67,df=2,6) between the number of people using traditional healing
system alone, those who use both treatment systems and those using fonnal/modem
system only across the wards studied. Regarding medicinal plants and related aspccts, it wasJound that about 122 plant species
falling in 49 families were being used to treat a total 'of thirty-eight diseases/conditions
commonly found in Tabora, It was observed that roots were the most frequently used
parts accounting for over 65% of all the prescrilltions. Sixty-four percent of the
respondents noted that more time was needed to obtain 'medicinal plants now than it used
,
to be ten years ago indicating that some traditional herbal medicines are becoming less
available. Tobacco cultivation was found to be the '[najor threat to medicinal plants
and/or their habitats having been identified as the firs,t. threat by 21 % of the respondent
households land as one of the three most dangerous 'activities by the majority of the
respondents. Collection of medicinal plants was considyred safer, sustainable harvestil'g
being one of the contributing factors. It was recorded 'that traditional practitioners were
obtaining their material from almost every habitat except for some few plant species
having restricted distribution. This study therefore ,recommends that; the Nyamwezi
indigenous knOWledge/practice be blended with ronn.a l techniques to ensure sustainable
use and conservation of their culturally important m9dicinal plants in particular and the
biota in general. This implies that the local people"m1!st be part in the planning and
implementation of conservation and development programs.
Description
Keywords
Biology