INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO AMOEBA (GENU KISHA’A): THE CASE OF SHINASHA PEOPLE IN BULLEN DISTRICT, NORTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Indigenous medicine is still widely in use for preventive and curative role of various natural and human ailments. Peoples of Shinasha from Bullen districts depend on this medicine for their primary health care services. Therefore, this research is aimed to explore the indigenous medicinal knowledge related to amoeba the case of Shinaha peoples in Bullen districts, northwestern Ethiopia. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, I employed a qualitative research approach to get a detail and reliable data from the study participants. Based on this approach I employed primary and secondary data collection methods. The primary data were collected through non-participant observations, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. Secondary data were gathered through critical review of related literature and documents like books, MA thesis and so on. Finally, both primary and secondary data were organized and analyzed thematically. Fieldwork was carried out from March to April 2023. I employed purposive sampling techniques to select the informants by considering their consent to give data relating to the objective of my study. Findings revealed that, Peoples of the study area understand amoeba or locally termed as “genu kisha‟a” as an abdominal pain caused by their relations with contaminated water, foods and other socio-culturally related agents. They also believed as it can be caused by supernatural agents like evil eye (gondi awa‟a) and can also resulted through hereditarily. Also, the findings of this study indicated that peoples of Shinasha from the study area relayed on locally available plants to prepare indigenous medicines to treat amoeba. These available indigenous medical plants are e‟emaniya‟a, muna‟a, shawa‟a, lemon and garlic, she‟era‟a and kuula‟a. The most common ways of preparing and organizing the indigenous medicine for treating amoeba from this study area were crushing, pounding, powdering, chewing, and smashing respectively. Indigenous medicine used to treat amoeba among peoples of the study is more accessible, affordable and acceptable than modern medicines. The study also revealed that, all the concerned body from Bullen woreda is expected to contribute his/her part in order to ensure the sustainability of the available medicinal plants among peoples of the study area used to prepare an indigenous remedy for the treatment of amoeba.