Integrated ethnomedicine and ethnobotany of the Somali pastoralist people, Eastern Ethiopia: A qualitative-quantitative synthesis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v5i12.920Keywords:
Somali pastoralists, ethnomedicine, indigenous knowledge, healthcare pluralism, ethnobotanyAbstract
The Somali pastoralist communities of eastern Ethiopia, numbering approximately 11 million, maintain a rich ethnomedical system rooted in spiritual beliefs, arid-land lifestyles, and an Islamic worldview. This study integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches to document their disease classification, healing practices, and medicinal plant knowledge in the Jigjiga, Kebridehar, Shekosh, and Karamara districts. Data were collected from 55 key informants (20 men, 35 women) and six focus group discussions, supplemented by previous ethnobotanical inventories. Somalis classify diseases into natural (42%), human (28%), and spiritual (30%) origins. Knowledge transmission is primarily patrilineal (64%), with 21% acquired through apprenticeship and 15% via divine calling. Women healers (24% of practitioners) specialize in reproductive health, while male healers manage ruqya, xirsi, snakebites, and livestock care. Healthcare pluralism is pronounced, with 82% of the population utilizing both traditional and modern systems. Modern medicine is preferred for emergencies (84%) and immunization (81%), while traditional care is sought for mental and spiritual ailments (62%) due to better affordability and accessibility. A total of 213 medicinal plant species from 64 families were documented, with Fabaceae dominating (16%). Leaves (34.5%) and shrubs (45.1%) are most frequently used. Gastrointestinal disorders showed the highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF = 0.88), followed by livestock ailments (ICF = 0.84). Notable species include Tamarindus indica (81.09% anti-malarial suppression) and endemic Halothamnus somalensis. This study underscores the resilience of Somali ethnomedicine and its complementary role to biomedicine, calling for integration of traditional practitioners, cross-training, community documentation, and conservation of key medicinal flora.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Melaku Msresha Woldeamanueal, Belay Sitotaw Goshu, Beyene Dereje Degefa, Feven Tigistu Ayele, Dawit Daniel Dando
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