INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AMONG THE MAUNGWE PEOPLE: MAKONI
DISTRICT - ZIMBABWE

INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AMONG THE MAUNGWE PEOPLE: MAKONI
DISTRICT - ZIMBABWE

GIFT RUPANDE

The study interrogated the intergenerational transfer of indigenous medicinal knowledge and
the psychology underpinning indigenous healing among the Maungwe people of Makoni
District. The overarching research question was how do indigenous medical practitioners
(IMPs) transfer the knowledge of indigenous medicines to the younger generation? Limited
studies on establishing factors which affect transfer of indigenous medicinal knowledge
(IMK) were done. The transactional communication model, the Afrocentric and the social
learning theories were the theoretical frameworks used in this study. The researcher adopted
interpretivism as the philosophy underpinning this qualitative study and relativist ontology.
The researcher adopted the multi-sited ethnography as a research design. The sample
consisted of three focus groups, each comprising of five participants and ten IMPs. Data
generation methods used were in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations.
Results of this study could be significant to organizations such as Zimbabwe National
Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), the medical fraternity, policy makers, Makoni
community, and researchers. Transfer of IMK is through apprenticeship training by the parent
or relative or through the teachings of the grandparents at the “Dare” (the meeting place) or
through observations. Ancestor initiated dreams; apprenticeship as well as being taken and
taught indigenous medicines by the mermaid under water are some of the ways of acquiring
IMK. The conclusions from this study showed that IMK is mainly in the hands of healers and
elders who are in their late forties and older. Christianity, lack of documentation of
indigenous medical practices, modernity, the disintegration of the extended family, and
secrecy of indigenous medical practitices, are some of the factors which were found to be
negatively affecting intergenerational transfer of IMK. The study recommends that IMPs
should document IMK so that this knowledge is not lost to future generations. IMPs should
not be over retentive with IMK for the benefit of the youth and other members of the society.

ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY

2019