Abstract

The last 15-20 years have witnessed a lowering of living standards of Africans. Economic growth rates have been negative. Medical services have broken down; disease and famine have become more widespread. In the absence of effective government services, many people are turning to traditional healers. Some countries have attempted to integrate the healers and practitioners of African medicine into the modern medical system. Four countries in Africa have been identified (Ghana, Uganda, Madagascar, and Ethiopia) in four ecological zones (Sudano-Sahelian; tropical forest; swamp and coastal areas; and mountain areas) to carry out case studies of women's role in conserving food germplasm and herbal medicines, and in transmitting traditional knowledge to modern systems of science. A workshop will be held to evolve the research scope and methodology for the project prior to the case studies. Once the research has been completed, a second workshop will be held to discuss the research findings; formulate some underlying principles of women's role in conserving and utilizing food germplasm and herbal medicines; develop methods for enhancing the transmission of the knowledge to the young generation and modern science sector; and design follow-up action programs.

Post-Project Summary

The fieldwork was carried out in areas of the four ecosystems where traditional cultural practices still existed. The sample consisted of between 5 and 10 clusters of households in each area. Each cluster had to comprise at least 10 households, all of which were surveyed. Women were found to be the chief custodians of knowledge on the conservation of food germplasm and the use of medicinal plants. This knowledge was reported to be passed on from mother to daughter and occasionally from father to son. All of this information had yet to be documented. No deliberate efforts were made to breed varieties of plants or crops.

The following staple crops were cultivated by women: cassava, yams, plantain, cocoyams, maize and chillies in Ghana; cassava, sweet potatoes, maize, millet, yams, Irish potatoes, peas and pumpkins in Uganda; dagussa, teff, barley, chilli, Niger seed, linseed and Brassica; and peas, pumpkins, melons, maize and groundnuts in the Zambezi Valley. Methods of seed selection, preservation and storage are given in the country and composite reports. In the Zambezi Valley, many non-cultivated (wild) food plants were identified. Many medicinal plants were identified in the four study areas. Their family, scientific and local names were documented, as well as the part of the plant used, method of preparation and use. In Uganda, the plants were presented according the diseases they are used to treat.

The two workshops and the project outputs (sourcebook, handbook and country reports) were produced as planned. A number of recommendations aimed at sensitizing governments, communities and young people to the importance of conserving traditional foods and medicinal plants were put forward. Some potential cottage industries for improving women's livelihoods, such as herbal medicine processing and the establishment nurseries of wild food and medicinal plants, were also suggested. The importance of ensuring that women derive sufficient benefit from their traditional knowledge was emphasized.

Recipient Institution(s)