Zootherapeutic animals used by Awi, Gamo, and Konta communities in Amhara and Southern Regions of Ethiopia

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

PDF
DOI https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y050202
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022)
Section
Articles

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

YIHEW BIRU ♥
Wild Animals Case Team, Animal Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9944-4485
AMARE GIBRU
Wild Animals Case Team, Animal Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ZELALEM TEMESGEN
Wild Animals Case Team, Animal Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
KEBEBEW HUNDE
Wild Animals Case Team, Animal Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
TESFU FEKENSA
Wild Animals Case Team, Animal Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract. Biru Y, Gibru A, Temesgen Z, Hunde K, Fekensa T. 2022. Zootherapeutic animals used by Awi, Gamo, and Konta communities in Amhara and Southern Regions of Ethiopia. Asian J Ethnobiol 5: 84-91. The use of animals and animal products in traditional medicine is less explored than that of plant-based medication. And hence, this pilot study is aimed to assess the role of zootherapeutic animals in traditional medicine among Awi, Gamo, and Konta communities, Ethiopia. Data were collected from December 2020 to March 2021 using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and field observations. A total of 90 informants and 37 group discussants were included in the study. We calculated the use value (UV) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) of animals used in traditional medicine. A binary Logistic Regression model using SAS (9.0) was used to identify the major factors that affected respondents’ knowledge about the importance of animal-based traditional medicine. Overall, we documented 20 medicinal animals having ethnozoological importance in treating nearly 23 human diseases. Out of the 20 vertebrate species used, mammals comprised 70%, followed by birds, 20%. Among the recorded animal species, hyena, porcupine, and bushbuck were commonly reported medicinal animals in the study areas. Meat, skin, and blood were the most frequently used animal products by local communities, with a pooled RFC of 0.48, 0.28, and 0.13, respectively. Asthma, protection from the evil eye, and broken bone were most commonly treated diseases using animal-based therapeutics. The binary logistic regression model revealed that age (?2=10.53; df=3; P=0.01) and region (?2=5.11; df=1; P=0.02) of respondents significantly affected ethnozoological knowledge of respondents. This study confirmed that the sampled communities have rich ethnozoological knowledge concerning the use of traditional medicine. Therefore, further in-depth studies involving traditional healers are recommended to clearly understand the role of wild animals in traditional medicine and design conservation options for the threatened medicinal animals.

2018-01-01

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

References
‘t Sas-Rolfes M, Challender DWS, Hinsley A, Veríssimo D, Milner-Gulland EJ. 2019. Illegal wildlife trade: Scale, processes, and governance. Ann Rev Environ Resour 44: 201-228. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033253.
Adhikari JN, Bhattarai BP, Rokaya MB, Thapa TB. 2020. Ethno-medicinal uses of vertebrates in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal. PLoS One 15 (10): e0240555. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240555.
Albuquerque UP, Silva JS, Campos JLA, Sousa RS, Silva TC, Alves RRN. 2013. The current status of ethnobiological research in Latin America: Gaps and perspectives. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 9: 72. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-72.
Altaf M, Umair M, Abbasi AR, Muhammad N, Abbasi AM. 2018. Ethnomedicinal applications of animal species by the local communities of Punjab, Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 14: 55. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-018-0253-4.
Alves R, Rosa IL. 2005. Why study the use of animal products in traditional medicines? J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 1: 5. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-1-5.
Alves RRN, Alves HN. 2011. The faunal drugstore: Animal-based remedies used in traditional medicines in Latin America. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 7: 9. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-7-9.
Alves RRN, Barbosa JA, Santos SL, Souto W, Barboza RR. 2011. Animal-based remedies as complementary medicines in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep134.
Alves RRN, Filho GAP, Delima YCC. 2007. Snakes used in ethnomedicine in Northeastern Brazil. Environ Dev Sustain 9: 455-464. DOI: 10.1007/s10668-006-9031-x.
Alves RRN. 2012. Relationships between fauna and people and the role of ethnozoology in animal conservation. Ethnobio Conserv 1: 1-69. DOI: 10.15451/ec2012-8-1.2-1-69.
Bekalo TH, Woodmatas SD, Woldemariam ZA. 2009. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people in the lowlands of Konta Special Woreda, southern nations, nationalities and peoples regional state, Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 5: 26. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-5-26.
Boakye MK, Wiafe ED, Ziekah MY. 2021. Ethnomedicinal use of pythons by traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana. Afr J Herpetol 70: 2. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1976288.
Borah MP, Prasad SB. 2017. Ethnozoological study of animals basedmedicine used by traditional healers and indigenous inhabitants in the Adjoining Areas of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India. J Ethnobiol.Ethnomed 13: 39-13. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-017-0167-6.
Budjaj A, Benitez G, Pleguezuelos JM. 2021. Ethnozoology among the Berbers: Pre-Islamic practices survive in the Rif (Northwestern Africa). J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 17: 43. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00466-9.
Caudell MA, Quinlan MB, Quinlan RJ, Call DR. 2017. Medical pluralism and livestock health: Ethnomedical and biomedical veterinary knowledge among East African agro-pastoralists. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 13 (7): 6. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-017-0135-1.
d’Avigdor E, Hans W, Zemede A, Tesfaye A. 2014. The current status of knowledge of herbal medicine and medicinal plants in Fiche, Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 10: 38. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-38.
D’Cruze N, Assou D, Coulthard E, Norrey J, Megson D, Macdonald DW, Harrington LA, Ronfot D, Segniagbeto GH. Auliya M. 2020. Snake oil and pangolin scales: Insights into wild animal use at “Marché des Fétiches” traditional medicine market, Togo. Nat Conserv 39: 45-71. DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.39.47879.
del Valle YG, Naranjo EJ, Caballero J, Martorell C, Ruan-Soto F, Enríquez PL. 2015. Cultural significance of wild mammals in Mayan and Mestizo communities of the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 11: 1. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0021-7.
Dereje WY, Chane M. 2014. Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal animals used by the Kore people in Amaro Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Intl J Mol Evol Biodivers 4 (2): 1-9.
Elias AS, Tesfaye G, Bizatu M. 2013. Aspects of common traditional medical practices applied for under-five children in Ethiopia, Oromia Region, Eastern Harargie District, Dadar Woreda, 2011 G.C. J Community Med Health Educ 3 (6): 237. DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711.1000237.
Getachew A, Dawit A, Timotewos G, Kelbessa U. 2002. Perceptions and practices of modern and traditional health practitioners about traditional medicine in Shirka District, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev 16 (1): 19-29. DOI: 10.4314/ejhd.v16i1.9823.
Getaneh G, Teshome S, Tesfaye B, Demel T. 2019. Carbon stocks and factors affecting their storage in dry Afromontane forests of Awi Zone, northwestern Ethiopia. J Ecol Environ 43: 7. DOI: 10.1186/s41610-019-0105-8.
Gochera A, Shibru S, Kechero Y. 2020. Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Intl J Biodivers Conserv 12 (1): 38-47. DOI: 10.5897/IJBC2019.1305.
Gubbi S, Kolekar A, Kumara V. 2020. Policy to on-ground action: Evaluating a conflict policy guideline for leopards in India. J Intl Wildl Law Policy 23 (2): 127-140. DOI: 10.1080/13880292.2020.1818428.
Hernandez J, Campos CM, Borghi C. 2015. Medicinal use of wild fauna by mestizo communities living near San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve, (San Juan, Argentina). J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 11: 15. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-11-15.
Kefalew A, Asfaw Z, Kelbessa E. 2015. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants in Ada’a District, East Shewa Zone of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 11: 25. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0014-6.
Kendie FA, Mekuriaw SA, Dagnew MA. 2018. Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal appreciation of animals and their products among the indigenous people of Metema Woreda, North-Western Ethiopia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 14: 37. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-018-0234-7.
Manaye M, Nigusie S, Abiyesilassie M. 2021. Documentation of traditional knowledge associated with medicinal animals in West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Am J Life Sci 9 (3): 45-54. DOI: 10.11648/j.ajls.20210903.12.
Mardiastuti A, Masy'ud B, Ginoga LN, Sastranegara H, Sutopo. 2021. Short Communication: Wildlife species used as traditional medicine by local peoplein Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 329-337. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d220140.
Mekides T, Mosissa GE. 2020. Indigenous ethnozoological and ethnoveterinary medicinal practices in Leka Dullecha District, Western Ethiopia. Glob Vet 22 (5): 286-297.
Mishra N, Rout SD, Panda T. 2011. Ethnozoological studies and medicinal values of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa, India. Afr J Pharm Pharmacol 5 (1): 6-11.
Mootsamy A, Mahomoodly M.F. 2014. A quantitative ethnozoological assessment of traditionally used animal based therapies in the tropical island of Mauritius. J Ethnopharmacol 154 (3): 847-857. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.05.001.
Mulugeta K, Erchafo M, Meyer-Rochow VB. 2021. Knowledge and use of traditional medicinal animals in the Arba Minch Zuriya District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Eur J Ther 72 (2): 158-167. DOI: 10.5152/eurjther.2021.20064.
Mussarat S, Ali R, Ali S, Mothana RA, Ullah R, Adnan M. 2021. Medicinal animals and plants as alternative and complementary medicine in Southern Regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Front Pharmacol 12: 649046. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.649046.
Nijman V, Bergin D. 2017. Reptiles traded in markets for medicinal purposes in contemporary Morocco. Contrib Zool 86 (1): 39-50. DOI: 10.1163/18759866-08601003.
Phillips O, Gentry AH. 1993. The useful plants of Tambopata, Peru: I. Statistical hypotheses tests with a new quantitative technique. Econ Bot 47: 15-32. DOI: 10.1007/BF02862203.
Souto W, Mourao JS, Barboza RRD, Alves RRN. 2011. Parallels between zootherapeutic practices in Ethnoveterinary and Human Complementary Medicine in NE Brazil. J Ethnopharmacol 134 (3): 753-767. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.041.
Tsegazeabe H. 2012. Traditional zootherapeutic studies in Degu’a Tembien, Northern Ethiopia. Curr Res J Biol Sci 4 (5): 563-569.
Vijayakumar S, Morvin Yabesh JE, Prabhu S, Ayyanar M. 2015. Ethnozoological study of animals used by traditional healers in Silent Valley of Kerala, India. J Ethnopharmacol 162: 296-305. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.055.
Zarazua-Carbajal M, Chavez-Guterrez M, Romero-Bautista Y, Rangel-Landa S, Moreno-Calles AI, Ramos LFA, Smith SE, Blancas J, del Val E, Arizmendi M, Casas A. 2020. Use and management of wild fauna by people of the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley and surrounding areas, Mexico. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 16: 4. DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-0354-8.