"The term 'traditional medicine' refers to ways of protecting and restoring health that existed before the arrival of modern medicine. As the term implies, these approaches to health belong to the traditions of each country, and have been handed down from generation to generation. Traditional systems have had to meet the needs of the local communities for many centuries." {'Fact Sheet N 134', 1996: I}
This statement suggests that nearly all cultures from ancient times to today have used plants, animal products and minerals as a source of medicine. This makes traditional medicines the
oldest known indigenous health-care products.
However, it is necessary to point out that the situation in the use of traditional medicine is quite different from country to country. In other countries traditional medicine is a priority for health-care while in others the role of traditional medicine is treated as complementary or alternative medicine.
In many developing countries traditional medicines are still the mainstay of health- care systems. In developed countries modern scientific institutions still depend on both plants and animal products and the knowledge gained from them for some essential drugs.
2.5.1 lzinyanga (herbalists)
"To heal someone is to give life." ('Traditional Healers in Southern Africa,' 1998:3) Giving life and hope is the primary duty of traditional practitioners called izinyanga. The part played by izinyanga as primary health-care workers as well as protectors of society even from natural disasters is a significant aspect in the following discussion.
Ubunyanga (herbalism) is a specialised traditional knowledge system which is held by a few people who have had a special training. Strictly speaking, an inyanga is a person who is supposed to prepare umuthi (a traditional herb/medicine) and treats illness mainly with plant products, animal remains and mineral products. Izinyanga should not be confused with other traditional healers who often function in the absence of the patient. Diviners for example, might use a form of ukuchitha amathambo (to throw divining bones) as diagnostic- tools in conjunction with intuition. This type of diagnosis involves the ability to consciously interpret through images or symbols produced by the arrangement of the bones that have been thrown and apply them to the health of the patient. Diviners can also use their dreams through which the ancestors give them diagnostic insights.
2.5.2 Traditional instruction methods
a) Anassistant
Every trained inyanga is supposed to have an assistant who is called uhlaka in Zulu. An assistant is chosen by inyanga himself Itcan be any member of the community or one of his sons or relatives.
Through close observation of his master's healing practices uhlaka usually ends up learning some knowledge about the administration of medicine. Uhlaka assists his master in the preparation and dispensation of medicine
b) An Apprentice
There is a difference between an uhlaka and a novice for herbalism. A traditional medical apprentice is a person who learns about medicines under the guidance of a well-skilled and experienced inyanga with an aim of obtaining accreditation at the end of apprenticeship.
2.5.3 lzinyanga as medical educaton
Well-trained izinyanga hold an esteemed and powerful position in the field of traditional medicine. They are also regarded as national educators in the field of herbalism. The knowledge they have acquired from their predecessors is transmitted through a word of mouth to prospective izinyanga during the orientation programme where the fundamentals of all aspects of traditional medicine are introduced to prepare a candidate for the apprenticeship expenence.
Specific introductory 'lessons' which address the basic knowledge about umuthi (herbal
medicine) which is either made from plants or animal remams. Knowledge about the combination of herbs and animal remains to make umuthi is a prerequisite for the prospective inyanga. Why? Izinyanga also work as pharmacists. Therefore, prospective izinyanga have to be trained as both ethnozoologists and ethnobotanists because both flora and fauna are the significant componentsinthe field of traditional pharmacology.
Linda Morganstein (1996:1-2) states:
"Ethnobotanists explore how plants are used for such things as food, shelter, medicine, clothing, hunting, and religious ceremonies. Ethnobotany has its roots in botany, the study of plants. Botany, in turn, originated in part from an interest in finding plants to help fight illness. In fact, medicine and botany have always had close ties."
When one takes into consideration what the following statement says about ethnozoology, one can see why izinyanga as both healers and pharmacists should have good knowledge about ethnozoology.
"The discipline of ethnozoology focuses on the ways in which animals influence the people they interact with -how people throughout the history of civilization have adapted to the animals they share their environment with and utilised animals for food, clothing, work, worship and companionship."
{'Ethnozoology Index, 2002: 1}
As traditional medicines include ingredients mainly from both animals and plants, it is likely that prospective izinyanga have to first qualify as both ethnobotanists and ethnozoologists before they can be regarded as fully qualified izinyanga.
Diagnosis, prescriptions and treatment are also introduced and practiced during the apprenticeship period so that prospective izinyanga sharpen their mental and physical skills to become familiar with all aspects of healing.
Amateurs are also helped to develop the principles of self-directed learning and life-long learning skills that will be necessary in private practice when the apprenticeship period is over between three to five years.
2.5.4 ]zinyangaas primary health-care workers
Common complaints seen byizinyanga include:
• Skin problems such as abscesses, boils skin eruptions such as acne and eczema
• Digestive disorders, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion
• Heart and circulatory problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes
• Gynaecological disorders such as menstrual pains, infertility, sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and menopausal problems
• Other conditions include: arthritis, headaches, allergic responses, influenza, asthma, and hysteria