WOLLEGA UNIVERSITY GIMBI CAMPUS

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTEMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN HEALTH CARE EFFORTS IN THE CASE

OF JIMMA RARE WOREDA, SHUMBO KEBELE, HORO GUDURU WOLLEGA ZONE

A SENIOR ESSAY SUBMITTED TO THE FOCALTY OF SOCIAL SCIENECE,

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR BACHERLOR ART( BA) DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL
ANTHROPOLOGY

BY: DEFARU TESEMA

ADVISOR: FANOSE ALAMU

GIMBI, ETHIOPIA

JUNE, 2018

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The Senior Essay

A senior essay entitled with by role of traditional medicine in health care effort, in the case of
jimma rare woreda, Shumbo kebele by Defaru Tesema submitted to the department of
sociology and social Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
bachelor of art in sociology and social anthropology.

Board of examiners

By: Defaru Tesema

Name signature date

Advisor__________________ _____________________ __________________

Examiner_________________ ______________________ __________________

Department Head _______________ ______________________ _________________

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DECLARATION
I declare that this is my original work and every reference is dully acknowledged. This study has
not been submitted for any other University and this University. It’s offered for the part
fulfillment of the BA in Sociology and Social Anthropology.
Name: ………………………………sign……………………………..date……………………
Advisor
Name: …………………….………..sign……………………………..date……………………….
Examiner
Name:…………………..………sign………………………………..date……………………….

II

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Acknowledgement

First of all I would like to thank the almighty GOD who helped me in all ways in my life up to this
day. Next, I would like to forward the deepest of my appreciation and gratitude to my advisor
Mrs. Fanose Alamu for her patience and constructive advice throughout the course of this
research.

III

Abstract

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The purpose of this study is to understand the role of traditional of traditional medicine in

Jimma Rare Woreda specifically in Shumbo kebele. The study was qualitative research

approach. Out of non-probability sampling, purposive sampling was used. Twenty two were

selected informants from the target population in the study of Jimma Rare, Shumbo kebele.

Data collection methods were focus group discussion, case study and semi-structured

interview. Both data sources, i.e., primary and secondary, were utilized in this study. The data

which were collected from primary sources were analyzed in narrative way qualitatively. The

current study found out that most patients visited traditional medicine centers for medical

treatment. Hence the majority of informants refer traditional medicine because of it is

affordability, accessibility, plenty of curing powers of the patients. It is possible to conclude

that the role of traditional medicine is used for the people in order to heal their own diseases;

and it is positively accepted and viewed when compared with that of modern medicine. Every

concerning body including government and society should support and strengthen the

institution of traditional medicine in order to deliver appropriate services and materials.

Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Health Care, Shumbo.

IV

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Acronomy

FGD: Focus Group Discussion

WHO: World Health Organization

TM: Traditional Medicine

IK: Indigenous Knowledge

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Approval........................................................................................................................................i

Declaration...................................................................................................................................ii

Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................iii

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................IV

Acronomy.....................................................................................................................................v

CHAPTER ONE.........................................................................................................................1

1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the study…………………………………………………………....……...1

1.2 Statement of the problem…………………………………………………………...……...2
1.3 Objective of the study……………………………………………………………………..4
1.3.1 General objective…………………………………………………………….……….....4

1.3.2 Specific objective…………………………………………………………….................4

1.4 The research questions of the study…………………………………………......………...5

1.5 Significance of the study………………………………………………………………......5
1.6 Scope of the study………………………………………………………………........…....5
1.7 Limitation of the study........................................................................................................ 5
1.8 Definition key terms……………………………………………………………………….6
1.9 Organization of the paper………………………………………………………………….6

CHAPTER TWO.......................................................................................................................7

2 Review of related literature……………………………………………………………......7

2.1 Definition of traditional medicine……………………………………………………........7
2.2 Traditional use of herbal medicine…………………………………………………….......7
2.3 The role of traditional medicine in primary health care………………………...................7
2.4 Medical plants and plant drugs………………………………………………...……….....8
2.5 Traditional Chinese medicine ………………………………………………………….....9
2.6 African traditional medicine ………………………………………………………….....10
2.7 Ethiopian traditional medicine……………………………………………………….….10

CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................................12

3 Research design and methodology ……………………………………………………........12

3.1 description of the study site ……………………………………………………………...12

3.2 Research design…………………………………………………………………………....13

3.3 Source of data……………………………………………………………………………..13

3.3.1 Primary source of data……………………………………………………………….….13

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3.3.2 Secondary source of data……………………………………………………….……....13

3.4 method of data collection………………………………………………………………....13

3.4.1 Case study…………………………………………………………………………….....13

3.4.2 In-depth interview........................…………………………………………………….....14

3.4.3 Focus group discussion……………………………………………………………......;..14

3.5 Sampling techniques ………………………………………………………………….......14

3.6 Sample size...........................................................................................................................15

3.7 Data analysis……………………………………………………………………………....15

CHAPTER FOUR.............................................................................................16

4. Data presentation and analysis..............................................................................................16

4.1 The role of traditional medicine............................................................................................16

4.2 The sources used for the preparation of traditional medicine in the study area....................19

4.3 The Challenge of Traditional Medicine Practices..................................................................20

CHAPTER FIVE ...............................................................................................22

Conclusion and Recommendations.............................................................................................22

5.1 Conclusion............................................................................................................................22

5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................23

References.................................................................................................................................24

Appendix...................................................................................................................................25

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating

plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises,

applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain

wellbeing (Malaku, 2009). Where in the dominant model of disease and health significantly

differs from the scientific medicine. It may be commonly viewed as the medical belief and

practice by human societies before the advent of modern medicine and still being used by most

non-western society’s Traditional medicine and traditional health possessed key position in the

society. It is an expensively used health system whose importance and expenditure on it is

increasing varies vast in many part or the world. All medical views and practices outside of the

conventional scientific medicine such as acupuncture, faith healing, healing through prayers, etc.

fall in this category. Then this traditional medical practitioner acquires and employs wide verity

of medical knowledge involving astrology, faith healing, message folk psychotherapy and

psychiatry exorcism, herbal medicine and various magical charms and amulets to treat patient

(Hellman, 1984).

Until the beginning of the 19thc all medical practices was what we call now traditional. It was

then that the great philosophical up heavily of the renaissance began to introduce Cartesian

scientific materialism in to all human activities and notable in to the theory and practices of

health care. In countries where the scientific approach was imported by a colonial administration

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independence has brought a reactive revival of interest indigenous health belief and practices

(Bannerman, 1983; 11).

According to the WHO (2008) report, 80 percent of the world populations use traditional

medicine for primary health care. Traditional medicine has maintained its popularity in all

regions of the developing world and its use is rapidly spreading industrialized countries.

Specifically, in the continents like Latin America, Asia, Africa majority of the people have been

employing traditional medicine to help meet same of their primary health care needs. People in

developing world are heavily dependent on traditional medicines.

Africa is one of continent in which traditional medicine is highly practices. About 80% of the

population uses some type of traditional medicine for the purpose of meeting their health care

needs for example 70% Benin 70% Rwanda, Tanzanian and 60% Uganda (WHO, 2008;15).

Traditional medicine in Ethiopia has very long history before the begging of modern medicine. It

has been provide both preventive and curative services for Ethiopian peoples. More than 80% of

the population in Ethiopian uses traditional medicine to help meet its health care needs. It is not

limited to rural areas rather also see numerous roles in urban centers (Pankhurst, 1990; 20).

Despite western medicine becoming more wide spread in Ethiopia, Ethiopians tend to rely more

on traditional medicine. Convectional medical services remain con centered in urban area and

have failed to keep place with the growing population, keeping health care access out of the

research for most Ethiopians living in Ethiopia. Moreover, western medicine has become more

focused on preventive measures and people seeking curative practice still relay on indigenous

medicine is the primary source for health care (Tompkins, 1974). Therefore, the purpose of this

study is to assess the roles of traditional medicine in the health care efforts in Jimma Rare

Woreda, Shumbo Kebele.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem
According to WHO (2001), traditional medicine is the sum of total knowledge, skills and

practices based on the theories explicable or not, used in maintenance of health as well as in

preventing, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illnesses. Therefore, it

improves the quality of life. It is estimated that more than eighty percent of health care needs are

met through traditional health care practices.

Prior to the introduction of the cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the

dominant medical system available to millions of people in Africa both rural and urban

communities. It was the only sources of medical care for a greater proportion of population.

There are strong indications that traditional health care system are still in use by the majority of

the people in Africa not only in Africa but across the world (Daze, 2002).

The western vision was a set of back in the process of development in Africa, particularly in

mode of knowledge production. Slavery, capitalism, imperialism, neocolonialism and all forms

of dominations and exploitation that were embedded in epoch as major stumbling blocking

actualization of indigenous Africa medical system (Pankhurst, 2006;133). In addition, WHO

(2001) stipulated the challenges of traditional medicine for the acceptance of western religion,

education, urbanization, and globalization phenomena in Africa are affecting the use traditional

medicine.

Banner men, et al. (1983) discussed that although developed countries have sufficient facilities

and human power in modern medicine, developing countries are in traditional health care

practices. WHO (2001) stated that in Asia and African countries, up to eighty percent of

population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs. Feleke (2006)

pointed out that traditional medicine practitioners in Africa comprise herbalist, bone setters,

psychic healers, traditional birth attendants, faith healers, diviners and spiritualist who use

indigenous knowledge for developing materials and producers.

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Wondimu (2007) depicted that traditional medicine is widely used in prevention and treatment

Due to its intrinsic qualities, unique and holistic approaches as well as social accessibility and

affordability, it continues to be best alternative care available for the majority Ethiopians.

From the aforementioned studies, it can be understood that various studies have been conducted

on traditional medicine globally, regionally and locally. However, as far as the researcher’s

knowledge is concerned on the issue under investigation, there is no such kind of study in Horo

Guduru Wallagga in general and Jimma Rare woreda in particular. This study is required to be

studied since the study area is culturally, demographically and socio-economically may be

unique from the areas in which studies have been undertaken.

Furthermore, other than claiming the present of traditional medicine and attributing this is to

some general reasonless, little is known about the role of traditional medicine in alleviating the

health problem of the society. Furthermore, the researcher could not find a study which is part of

his objective, linked to types of materials used for the preparation of traditional medicine and the

challenge of traditional medicine practices. Besides, there is still a gap on studying the role of

traditional medicine in health care system from the anthropological perspective. Therefore, the

purpose of this senior essay is to study the role of traditional medicine in the health care effort in

Jimma Rare Woreda, Shumbo Kebele.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This study has both general and specific objectives.

1.3.1 General Objective of the study

The general objective of the study is to investigate the role of traditional medicine in the health

care effort at Jimma Rare Woreda, Shumbo Kebele.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives of the study

The specific objectives of the study were:

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1. To examine the role of tradition medicine in alleviating the health problems society

2. To identify the source of used for the preparation of traditional medicine

3. To investigate the challenge of traditional medical practices

1.4 The Research Questions

The study has the following research questions.

 What is the role of traditional medicine in alleviating the health problems of the society in the

Shumbo Kebele?

 What are the sources of used for preparation of traditional medicine in Shumbo Kebele?

 What are the challenges of traditional medical practice in Shumbo Kebele?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study has a number of importances. Such as its Significance for local people, It enhances the

awareness of society towards the traditional medicine, it decreases the challenge between

traditional medicine and modern medicine, helpful for those who uses for policy makers to make

an effective for policy making, it give direction of matters for implementers support them and

Significance for the others researchers, this study has also its own contribution to support and

give direction for other researchers in focusing to basic stone as starting point of other

researchers in order study a very a broad research study.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study delimited to understand the roles of traditional medicine in health care

efforts. In addition, it covered sources of used for preparation of traditional medicine and

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challenges of traditional medicine practice. The study was conducted in Jimma Rare district

particularly in Shumbo kebele.

1.7 Limitations of the study

In the process of conducting this study, there were the following limitations. These include time,

finance and other materials. The informants were also not willing to provide the required

information openly and all expected points of the issue under investigation. When the researcher

investigates this study, the researcher has faced challenges of organizing, discussing

1.8 Definition of the key Terms

Ethno medicine: used to distinguish ancient and culture bound health care practice which

existed before the application of science to health care practices or modern.

Practitioner: people who engage in the public practices of Christian orthodox science healing

and apply and it to human’s ills and problems

Patient: one that suffer to victimized, when waiting or under the care and treatment.

Healing: the castor’s process of curing or restoring the health status of individual

Herbalist: one that collects grows or deals in herbs especially medical herbs.

1.9 Organization of the Paper

The study has five chapters. The first chapter dealt with background of the study, statement of

the problem, objective of the study, research of the study, significance of the study, scope of the

study and definition of key terms. The second chapter was about literature review pertinent to the

topic and continent of conceptual. The third chapter was content research methodology,

description of the research site, research design, source of data collection methods, sample

methods, data analysis methods. The fourth chapter dealt with data presentation, analysis,

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interpretation and research finding. The last chapter focused on conclusion and

recommendations.

CHAPTER TWO

2. Review of Related Literature

2.1 Definition of Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine is the sum of total knowledge, skill, and practices based on theories, belief,

and experience indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the

Maintenance of health as well as in prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical

and mental illness.

2.2 Traditional Use of Herbal Medicine

Traditional use of herbal medicine refers to long historical use of these medicines. Their use is

well established and widely acknowledged to be safe and effective and may be accepted by

national authorities. Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal material, herbal preparation and

finished product that contains active ingredients parts plants, and other plant materials or

combinations. Generally traditional medicine also known as indigenous or folk medicine

comprise medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generation with various

societies before the era of modern medicine. For traditional medicine as main stream practices

among the society is not involving alternatives medicine. In Asia and African countries up to

eighty percent of population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs

(WHO, 2001).

2.3 The Role of Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care

The primary health care is concerned with the main health problems in the community and the

service reflects the political and socio economic patterns in the country. In order to make such

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care readily accessible and acceptable in the community, maximum, self- reliance, and

community participation for health development are essential (Banner men, et al., 1983;318).

Developed countries are in more favorable position, as on the whole facilitates and health man

power are both reasonably adequate. The developing countries however, pose picture of want

and deprivation with in adequate recourse, and definite hope of Amelioration in the forcible

future except through the adaption of unorthodox measure, such as the explanation of useful

traditional health care practices. This includes wider use locally produced herbal medicine and

the incorporation of traditional practitioners into the health team (Ibid 1983; 319). Health care

system may prescribe different setting to the ill. In many non- western settings curing takes place

in a non-specialized local such as village center or the patient or curer’s own home. Whereas

large scale societies health care often take place in specialized setting such as a hospital (World

Bank, 2004).

2.4 Medical Plant and Plant Drugs

Plants have been used as a primary sources of medicine for thousands of years, over 4000 years

ago, the red emperor of china published a list of 4000 medical plants. The ancient Egyptian even

placed medical plants in pyramids to treat their pharaohs after the death. The mummified

pharaohs were preserved by using plants, herbs, spices, and minerals (Fulas, 2010).

Plants have medical qualities due to the substances produce to product themselves from insect

pests and pathogens. We “borrow” these substances to treat our own viral, fungal bacterial in

factions. Many medical are extracted from the roots, root bark, and bark of plant since these

areas the most vulnerable and provide plants first line of defense against an invader. the light

cost of drug and the in ability of many developing countries to purchase such drug have

promoted several countries to look for local product in the form of medical plants and herbal

medicines that have been provide to be effective, safe, in expansive an culturally acceptable

(Banner man, et al., 1983:326).

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Writing and are use the diagnosis, prevention or elimination in physical, Mental or social well-

being. Traditional medicine practitioners in Africa comprise herbalist, bone setters, psychic

healers, traditional birth attendants, faith healers, diviners and spiritualist who use indigenous

knowledge for developing materials and producers (Feleke, 2006).

Traditional healers are recognized by the community in which they live as the competent to

practices medicine. At present, there is one traditional healers to every 500 inhabitants where as

there is one Doctors for every 40000 inhabitants in Africa. There is social consensus conferring

special status on such healers and according to them the power heal or even to present illness or

any other misfortune, or promote the happiness(social advancement, increasing wealth,

materials harmony, etc.) of those consulting them (WHO,2002).

2.5 Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese medicine is a type of holistic, natural health care system that dates back at

least 200 years to the year 200 B.C. Traditional chine’s medicine is “holistic” and “natural”

because it stimulates the body’s own healing mechanism and takes in to account all aspects of

patient life, rather than just several obvious sign or symptoms. Traditional chine’s medicine

practitioners view the body as a complex network of interconnected part. Rather than separate

system or organ. House with Traditional medicine is a great treasure proud experience and

knowledge accumulated through the thousands of years. It represents the crystallization of the

chine’s people wisdom and experience. What has proved effective in clinical practice has been

preserved, handed down from generation, and continually improved up on (Banner man &

Burton 1983:68). An inspection of any traditional Chinese pharmacy reveals that vast number of

drug derived plants, animals and minerals which are selected for use sunder various conditions.

Traditional remedies could symptoms and even produce remission (Ibid, 265)

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2.6 African Traditional Medicine
Traditional African medicine is an alternative discipline involving indigenous herbalist and

African spirituality, typically involving diviners, midwives, and herbalist. Practitioners of

African traditional medicine claim to be able to cure various and divers conditions such as

cancers, psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure , most venereal disease, epilepsy, asthma,

eczema, depression, begin prostatic hyperplasia, and healing of wounds and burns and even

EBOLA. Africa traditional medicine described the total body of the knowledge, techniques for

the preparation and the use of substance, measures and practices in use , weather explicable or

not, that are based on the socio cultural and religion bedrock of African community are founded

on the personal experience and observation handed down from generation to generation either

verbally or in writing, and are used the diagnosis, prevention or elimination of imbalance in

physical, mental or social well-being. Traditional medicine practitioners in African comprise

herbalist, bone setters, psychic healers, traditional birth attendants, faith healers who use

indigenous knowledge for developing materials and producers (Encarta, 2009).

2.7 Ethiopian Traditional Medicine

The term traditional medicine is used to explain the traditional medical practices that have been

in existence even before the advancement of the modern medicine. It is still widely accepted and

used in prevention and treatment of physical and mental disorders as well asocial imbalance. Due

to its intrinsic qualities, unique and holistic approaches as well as social accessibility and

affordability, it continues to be best alternative care available for the majority Ethiopians

(Wondimu, 2007).

Traditional medicine as in other countries was in many cases concerned with prevention and care

of disease. Well aware of the infectious character of many diseases the Ethiopia took steps to

control the spread of epidemic above all small pox, cholera and render pest. At such time people

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were prevented from travelling areas of infection to other parts of the country (Encarta, 1967;

90). Traditional medical practices have their own historical background perception about health

and illness, practices and type of healers. If there are difference ethno medicine of the county is

an amalgamation of belief (religion and magic) and empirical practices (Leonard, 2008).

Challenges of Traditional Medicine

According to WHO (2001), there are certain problem and challenges of traditional medicine. The

first it is ethno centric and medico centric tendencies of the western hegemonic mentality that are

usually paraded by most stockholder in medicine remains a very services challenges. The

challenges of traditional medicine for the acceptance of western religion, education,

urbanization, and globalization phenomena in Africa are affecting the use traditional medicine

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 CHAPTER THREE

3. Research Design and Methodology

3.1 Description of the Research Site
The study was carried out in Shumbo Kebele. Shumbo kebele is founded in west Jimma Rare,

Horo Guduru Wollega Zone Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. It’s Altitudinal and longitudinal

location is 9’10’N 37’20’E/9.167,37.333 with altitude of this worada range 1540 and 3047 above

Sea levels. Therefore, this study was conducted in Shumbo Kebele. Jimma Rare Woreda is one

of woredas in Horro Guduru Wollega zone, Oromia regional state of the Ethiopia. Its share of

name of sub groups of Oromo people, the Jimma Rare worada, part of Horo Guduru Wollaga

zone, it is bordered on the west by Jimma Horo ,on the north by the Guduru on the east and

south by the Guduru river which separates it from the West Shoa zone. The administrative center

of the Woreda is Wayu; other towns’ Jimma Rare included Goban and Babal’a and have

eighteen kebele. A survey of this land in this woreda shows that 73.8% is arable or cultivable,

16% pasture, 4.6% forest and the reaming 5.6% considered swampy, mountains. The 2007

National census reported that the total population for this woreda is 55,580 of whom 27,392 were

men and 22,188 were women; 8,633 or 15.53 % of its population were urban dwellers. The

majority of inhabitants were Protestants with 55.91%, while 38.49% observed Orthodox, 3.57%

traditional belief and 1.47% were Muslims. The Oromo language was spoken as the first

language by 99.01% and 0.97% Amharic; the remaining 0.02% spoken all the other primary

language reports.

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3.2 Research Design
The research design of the study was qualitative. Because, this methodology is more preferable

than quantitative research methodology (Minchiello & Longman 1990). Qualitative research is

useful for studies at individual level to find out in depth the ways in which people think and it

requires an accurate description of participant responses. Therefore, qualitative research method

is more understandable to investigate the assessment of traditional medicine and their practices

in order to get more information about role of traditional medical practices.

3.3 Source of Data

The researcher has employed both primary and secondary sources to conduct the study.

3.3.1 Primary Sources of Data

The different methods were employed in the process of collecting the primary data include,

observation, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and case study method.

3.3.2 Secondary Source of Data

Secondary source of data was gathered from different sources such as books, magazines, articles,

report documents and internet services. This secondary source of data was providing details

explanation of role traditional medicine and related concepts regarding the issue under study.

3.4 Methods of Data Collection

Based on the nature of the study, the researcher has collected information from different sources

through methods such as, case study, in-depth interview and focus group discussion.

3.4.1 Case Study

Case study is a method of research that aims to understand social phenomena within a single or

small number of naturally occurring settings. The purpose of a case study is to gain a detailed

understanding of the processes involved within a setting (Bloor & Fiona, 2006). The researcher

has collected information from practitioners, who are healing by these medicines and live in

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Shumbo kebele. One was female healer and the other two were male healers. Therefore, the

researcher were asking and collecting deep information from informants.

3.4.2. In-Depth Interview

The researcher has conducted with some selected key informants those who are expected to be

well informed and specialized knowledge about the role of traditional medicine and their

preparation systems. Five numbers of informants were taken through purposive sampling

technique. The researcher has collected information from them. Using this method the role,

challenge both traditional medical practitioners and their participants through open ended

(descriptive) and semi-structured interview. Because, the interview was unstructured, here the

aim was to explore the interviewees’ feelings about the issue being explored and the style of

questioning is very informal.

3.4.3 Focus Group Discussion

According to Bloor and Fiona (2006:88), focus group discussion is a series of group discussions

held with differently composed group of individuals and facilitated by a researcher, where the

aim is to provide data on belief and group norms in respect to particular topic. The researcher has

conducted two FGD sessions in the way of the first group discussion on the traditional medical

practitioners and the second one is conducted on the patients who are treated by these medicines.

The number of FGDs was two. One FGD consisted of six of female discussants. The second

FGD consisted of eight male participants in FGD.

3.5 Sampling Technique

From non-probability sampling techniques, purposive sampling was used. Because, the

researcher has chosen people who could provide rich and yield required information. In addition,

people who know the advantages and disadvantages of traditional medicine have been selected in

the study. This technique is selected to the study of data collection methods in order to study the

role of traditional medicine, preparation, materials and there challenges of traditional medicine.

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Therefore, this technique was more preferable because the majority of the people rely on this

medicine rather than modern medicine.

3.6 Sampling Size

The study has selected the total number of 22 informants for this research who were selected

according to the intended objectives of the study. The reason why they were selected from the

total population is that all informants are expected to be acknowledged the role of traditional

medicine in health care effort among the society in which they alive. Hence, the data were

collected from different informants including in-depth interview of 5 informants (3 are males and

the remaining 2 informants are females); and 14 informants were for Focus Group Discussion (8

are male informants and the remaining 6 informants are female). Finally, for case study 3

informants were selected (2 of them are male informants and the remaining 1 is female

informant).

3.7 Data Analysis

The major techniques of data gathering method were qualitative. The data was collected by both

primary and secondary data source to accomplish this study. The analyzed data included

information gathered from FGD, in-depth interview and case study. The secondary data was also

including, documentary books and other reference guide within library.

Narrative study means the researcher was collecting data in statement without of numerical

illustrations.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

This section discusses about the role of traditional medicine, preparation and challenges

Table 1.1 Informants Background information; age, sex, religious and educational status

Age Sex Religion Educational

status

52 F Orthodox -

45 M Muslim Elementary

69 M Orthodox -

59 M Orthodox Elementary

65 F Protestant -

71 F Orthodox -

42 M Orthodox -

52 M Orthodox Elementary

78 M Muslim -

4.1 The role of traditional medicine

The data revealed that most patients visited traditional medicine centers for medical treatment.

Hence the majority of informants refer traditional medicine because of it is affordability,

accessibility, plenty of curing powers of the patients. The researcher has conducted case study

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methods of data gathering in Shumbo Kebele on the role of traditional medicine. The informant

clearly described as follows. The question was raised regarding the role of traditional medicine

and one the respondents’ describes her idea as follows:

“I prefer traditional medicine when I face a health problem. This is because, it has more

healing power than that of modern medicine and easily available to get it. When I was ill, I went

to modern medical center. Since I was not cured from my sickness, I would go back to traditional

medical centers and curing from my disease by taking of this medicine in cheap price”

In the same manner, the majority of informants are from those who choose traditional medicine

as a first option. Traditional medicine has more curing power than that of modern medicine. Due

to the availability of traditional medicine, and most of them also said that modern medicine is

more expansive than that of traditional medicine. The informant of case study has expressed this

idea as:

Again one of the respondents is argued the idea on its importance that: saying that: ‘this

treatment is very important, especially for those who couldn’t be efficiently treated by modern

medicine services and in areas where the modern once is not available. But traditional medicine

is affordable, available and easy to cure bad disease”

Regarding the acceptance of toward traditional medicine, the majority of informants have

positive acceptance towards it. On the other hand, most of them have awareness and knowledge

about traditional medicine. On explaining the reason why they prefer traditional medicine some

of them said that, they inherited the belief from their ancestors and also this medicine is the poor

provision of the health service of the health centers and the rest also held traditional medicine has

more healing power than of modern medicine. In addition to this one of the Traditional

practitioner, confirmed that as traditional medicine is really helpful to them.

The practitioner expresses is idea as follows: “I believe that traditional medicine is preferable.

Because we traditional medical practitioners can cure disease in which modern medicine cannot

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cure and we have full acceptance in the society. Our change is also fair compared to modern

medicine”.

Therefore, it is possible to say that the role of traditional medicine is variously used for

the people in the order to heal their own disease and they are accepting it when compared with

modern medicine. Medical plant species require urgent recognition of their vital contribution to

human and livestock health in Africa. An in-depth interview, which was conducted by the

researcher, indicated it as follows.

The information gained from the individuals who become face by diseases and gets

curable with traditional medicine also discusses the same answer about the importance of

traditional medicine. The idea of one respondents strengthen this idea, saying that “ I was treated

so many times from the so called “mich” by demakassie and Urgeessa which is efficacious plant

that most people in the study area were used it because of its effectiveness. So “Heexoo” which

is very cure plant for amoeba disease and “Laaftoo” plant also treated him, which is also

curative to snake bite and injures. “Heexoo” which is very cure plant for ameoba disease is and

“Laaftoo” plant also treated him, which is also curative to snake bite and injuries”.

Regarding the role of traditional medicine the majority of informants believed that it had

contribution to the health care system. But, most of them were not sure whether it has

contribution or not. From those informants who agreed on the contribution of traditional

medicine were the alternative medical means for the society where the modern health facilitates

are not accessible and on the other hand informants said that traditional medicine was the base

for modern medicine. Besides, the following case study with one respondent further strengthens

the above idea. The in-depth interview result showed that the traditional medical practices play a

significant role by supplying raw materials for the preparation of drugs. Similarly, it contributes

to the health care system of the country by providing health services in areas where health of

facilities are poor. As a result traditional medicines have large contribution to health care efforts

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for being served as an alternative medicals means to the society where modern medical services

were not available.

4.2 The sources used for the preparation of traditional medicine in the study area
Concerning the source of traditional medicine, the majority of informants argued that the source

is plants on the other also explained that both plants, animals and mining products. Some in-

depth interview participants were frequently used as raw materials for traditional medicine

preparation. Regarding this issues, Malaku (2009) medicinal plant species, parts of the plant,

such as leaf, latex, root, flower, seeds and whole parts are uses to prepare drug to cure both

humans and livestock ailment.

According to same herbalists, traditional medicine was mainly prepared from plants.

They said that such type of plants where found in desert (bereha) areas and other parts of the

country. In an attempt of investigating the relationship between traditional medicine with

religious practices and evil spirits whereas some of them also said that, it had no relationship and

on other hand also were not sure whether it had relationship or not. Regarding this issue, the

informant, believed that, traditional medical practices had strong relationship with religious and

other spiritual beliefs such as “mora”, “tolchaa”, and other beliefs and practices. For instance,

thermal water is curable if it taken once a week or month. Informants on the knowledge of

herbalists argued the majority also disclosed they had learn traditional medical practices from

their ancestors and the left also believed as a gift of God. The under stage case report strengthens

this idea.

One residents living in Jimma Rare, Shumbo kebele is a traditional medical practitioner

(herbalist). He has learned the knowledge of this traditional medicine since he had been as

student of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for 13 year. During that period, there no access

modern n health center due to this, I and others Orthodox Church students become herbalist by

preparing medicine from local resources”. Fortunately, he has been succeeded such practices and

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come to knowledgeable practitioner; and identify and heal different disease. Unfortunately, he

argued for those who perceived traditional medicine has correlation with bad sprit really it could

not be associated with witchcraft, evil spirit and other magical practices, and rather it is realm

that herbalist can support modern treatments. However, such thought is the work of modern of

modern doctors those who need or want to eliminate the cultural traditional medicine from the

country. As concluding point, the herbalists and informants agreed that sources of traditional

medicine were plant and herbalists argued that traditional practices did not have any relationship

with religion and evil spirit.

In other way, FGD told concern of practitioners’ traditional medicine is prepared from

different materials such as plant, and animals products. And it is closely relationship with

religious and evil spirit in order to heal the patients. So, majority of the society are treated by the

traditional medicines that are unable to healing by modern medicine. And also practitioners

prepared this medicine based on specified days such as Wednesday and Friday (why Wednesday

but it can be prepared in everywhere. Because, of practitioners believed that the medicine has

curing power when it prepared in Friday and Wednesday unless it cannot cure that disease when

it prepared the other days. Even though each medicines have its own preparation days and time

but in Friday and Wednesday are most expected days that prepared the medicine. Generally,

informants believed that it was easily prepared from local resources.

4.3 The Challenge of Traditional Medicine Practices

Regarding the challenge of traditional medicine, the informants explained it in different ways.

The in-depth interviewee informant stated as:

The practitioner of traditional medicine told that ‘the main challenges of traditional medicine are

the expansion of western medicine and a government does not support to provide appropriated

supply services as the modern medicine’.

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Regarding this issue, Lambert (IK: 2001:168) describe that, deforestation, cultivations,

overgrazing, burning, erosion, etc threaded medical and food plants, and other natural resources.

The fundamental challenge of traditional medicine is the wide spread reported case of fake

healers and healing though this is not limited to traditional medicine practices only.

According to Ebomoyi (1982) observes that since the skilled healers could be provided

beneficial services to the large population, it might be a common place of encounter quacks

among the practitioners. The acceptance of western religion, education, urbanization and

globalization phenomena in Africa is affecting the use of traditional medicine. The researcher

has conducted FGD and come up with the following data concern of the patients.

The main challenges of traditional medicine are lack of acceptance of the government and the

existence of religious taboos especially in Orthodox religion is forbidden to these activities and

also government does not give appropriate services and training activities in the development of

traditional healers “Jimma Rare in Shumbo kebele.

According to Teshome Bahiru (2010) found out that the process of urbanization has

greatly impacted on the use of traditional medicine in both rural and urban communities of Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia albeit both in positive and negative ways. Generally, theses and others are

expected to the main impacts that the development of traditional medicines.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion
Traditional medicine practices are the primary health care of the society in the study area. It

provides better health services for the people and an efficient capacity in reducing disease,

causation and annihilation. Then, most clients were choosing such type of practices for their

illness which modern medicine could not cure like, Nekersa, kintaroot and the like. Most people

had negative attitude towards traditional medical practices, through it was the most preferable for

some kind of diseases. They were as it had some sort of relationships with religion and evil

spirits. However, herbalist did not agree on this idea. The number of patients who seek

traditional medical treatment varies from season to season based on occurrence and prevalence

of disease. The medication depended upon the type of disease; since for some disease it was very

high, while for others was too low. Moreover, the majority of respondents said that traditional

medicine was more expansive than that of modern medicine, in relation to modern medicine,

traditional medicine had a profound significance to socio-cultural issue such as like religion and

had no much relationship between them. The former was mainly prepared and prescribed

through the help of different medical instruments, whereas the latter was prepared simply from

different plants, minerals, and animals etc. The challenge of traditional medicine also the

government does not support appropriated services and western dominations that are hindered to

expand it. But the previous government of Ethiopia did not give much attention to traditional

medicine. However, the current government has given some kind of the supports. For instances,

some herbalists where accredited by the government recognition. They have been starting work

by institution and corporate each other. Most traditional medicinal users and practitioners in the

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 study area describe that the main problems, which hinders the development of traditional

medicine, was due to low support of the government and miss understanding of the society.

5.2 Recommendations
Traditional medicine of Ethiopia has been facing with different problems for a long period. Both

the government and the society have negative attitudes toward them; though the current

government has given attention. Particularly, in Shumbo kebele, such practices have low

acceptance from the society and the government even if it has been playing a great role for

people. For this reason, the researcher would like to recommend the following.

 Both the governments and the society, should support and strength the institution of traditional

medicine in order to deliver appropriate services and materials.

 In the same manner, the government and society should conserve the natural resource;

specifically plant herbs which are important for the preparation of different medicines.

 The government should give due attention for the practitioners of traditional medicine by

providing, the necessary materials use to keep their medicine, place of work (constant place),

financial supports, and others.

 In the same manner, the government has to respect the right of practitioners and hear voice by

giving them chance using media to announce their profession and medical items.

 The government should be providing to necessary training for the traditional medical

practitioners based on the recruiting of the practitioners.

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 References

Bernard. H, Russell (1988). Research method in Anthropology. Qualitative and

Quantitative Approaches (2nd Ed.). London; New Deli: stage publications.
Bloor, Michael and Fiona wood.(2006) key words in qualitative methods a vocabulary of
research concepts. London, stage publications.
Bannerman, etal (1983) traditional medicine and health care coverage, Geneva, World
Bank press organizations.
Charya etal, (2008) indigenous herbal medicine: Tribal formulation and traditional herbal
practices, Lavishers publisher distributer, japery-India
Eleanor, E.B, (1978).The Anthropology of Health. USA, the C.V. Mosby Company.
Encarta (2009). Encarta a year book of 2009. Traditional used medical plants
Feleke, Urge (2006) Ethiopian traditional medicine revised policy. Drug administration
and central authority.
.Fulas (2010). Ethiopian herbal medicine.
Henirich etal, p (2005). “Plant as medicines”. In prance G and Nesbitt M. the cultural
history of plants. Routledge.pp. (205-238).
Leonard, l (2008). African herbals. The economics of healing. World Bank; Washington
DC.
Melaku, G (2009). Practices and challenge in use forest of resources in indigenous health
care system among Oromo Ethiopia. Athropol: 5 184.doi 10.4172332-
0915.1000184
WHO (2001) legal status of traditional medicine and complementary alternative
medicine: A worldwide Review Geneva
Wondimu (2007) ethnobotical study of medical plant “dheeraa town” Arsi zone,
Ethiopia. J Ethnopharmacol 112:152-161.
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Geneva.

Appendix 1
The demographic characteristics of research informants

Name Number of Place Year

informants

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 In depth Male = 3 Jimma Rare 2010

interview with key Female =2 in Shumbo kebele EC

informants Total= 5

Focus group Male =8 Jimma Rare 2010

discussion Female =6 in Shumbo kebele EC

Total =14

Case study Male=2 Jimma Rare 2010

Female =1 in Shumbo kebele EC

Total =3

From all data Male=21 Jimma Rare 2010

gathering methods Female =12 in Shumbo kebele EC

Total =22

WOLLEGA UNIVERSITY
Faculty of social science

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 Department of sociology and social Anthropology

Appendix 2

1. Question for guide for informant

2. Question for herbalists
The purpose of these questioners to collect data about the practice of tradition
medicine in Shumbo kebele .so , kindly please give your opinion based on the
questioners ?

Title of the study:

Place of the study. Shumbo kebele
1. Age...................................
Sex.................................
2. Place of birth.....................................
3. Religion..............................................
4. How do you get skill of preparing tradition medicine.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
5. From where do you get the source of traditional medicine? Places explain it?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

6. How do see the importance of traditional medicine?

............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
7. Some people associate traditional medicine with other evil spirits, do you have any idea
about it
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
8. What is your suggestion about the role of traditional medicine for modern medicine? If so,
in what manner?
.........................................................................................................................................................
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Do you believe that is their need it place and days when you preparing this medicine? If yes
explain it?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

B question guide for participants the study

1. Plant which is the resource of traditional medicine is currently at risk, what shall be done
by the government and the society?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

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2. What is the main obstacle of traditional medicine? Place explain it clearly?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
3. What is the role traditional medicine in health care service among the society explain it
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
4. How do you see the role of traditional medicine according to solve the health care problem
of the society when you compare modern medicine? Is that having great contributing?
Please explain it?
............................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
5. In what type of materials that preparing in traditional medicine? Please clearly discuss it
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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