PROVERBS AS KNOWLEDGE BEARERS: TOWARDS A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AMONG PRELITERATE IGBO SOCIETY OF NIGERIA
Journal Title: ASIAN JOURNAL OF NATURAL & APPLIED SCIENCES - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
The literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe observed in his work, Things Fall Apart, that among the Igbo, proverbs are the palm oil with which words were eaten. Implicit in this statement is the notion that the Igbo attach a lot of importance to proverbs and that proverbs serve as a lubricant to their “rusting” memories. One of such importance is noticed in their use of proverbs to keep alive their traditional medical practices which is at the verge of extinction consequent on the introduction of orthodox medicine by the western world. For instance, there is this Igbo proverb that says that when the gods inflict one with boils, they are demanding from the victim items like palm oil, the excreta (white) of a lizard, and the shell of Dura brand of palm kernel. This proverb gives one an insight into the pharmacopeia of boil among the Igbo even though it is salient on how they are prepared and used. This is in tandem with another proverb that emphasizes expertise. The saying that ofeke mara mgborogu nwa dibia,enweghi ihe omere nwa dibia. This translates as the uninformed that knows the roots of plants used by the traditional medicine man have not in any harmed him or his business. This means that knowing the roots without knowing how they are prepared, applied or used makes no meaning. There are other proverbs that relate to sexually transmitted diseases, natal and post-natal care for both humans and their domestic animals. Due to the fading of this ancient profession, it is imperative that the knowledge provided by proverbs be explored to help in salvaging this endangered profession. Preserving such knowledge would be of immense importance to the health and economy of the nation as it would generate employment, reduce the amount of money spent on procuring herbal medicine from overseas. Here then lies the import of this paper.
Authors and Affiliations
Chukwuma Opata, Apex Apeh
Keywords
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