The Importance Of Traditional Medicine In Nigeria

As accounted by many, “Traditional healers often act, in part, as an intermediary between the visible and invisible worlds; between the living and the dead or ancestors, sometimes to determine which spirits are at work and how to bring the sick person back into harmony with their ancestors” (Abdullahi ¶ 3). This provides the emotional and spiritual depth of traditional medical practitioners, as they truly make an effort to connect patients to their community even if they are severely ill (Abdullahi ¶ 3). Finally, the Igbo tribe held many secret societies, including instruction in medicine, that held both secular and religious functions and allowed inducted community members to learn about its origins (“Cults and Rituals” 284). This further establishes their connection of religion to medicine, as secret societies may teach medicine to members in a religious setting. Therefore, when Igbo medical practitioners practiced medicine before colonization, they incorporated many aspects of their religion, including, but not limited to, sorcery and divination, as they have for many years.

Nigeria is a very big country with very diverse culture. There are 36 states in Nigeria,

Traditional medicine or commonly called herbal medicine is used for all different various types of unscientific knowledge systems used within several cultures ever since the beginning of mankind. Sometimes, it is also referred as folk medicine, mainly owing to the fact that it was progressively developed over a lot of generations. Studies shows that there are still certain areas of the world, especially in Africa and Asia where 80% of the population still relies on herbal medicine practices in lieu of most of their primary health needs. It is also used in the Western civilizations but it may occasionally lead to certain health risks in circumstances when it is not used properly.

Nigeria is a country that has a lot of historic cultures and empires. Nigeria goes back as far as the 5th century BC. During the 9th century the trading empire grows up around Lake Chad. Which then became the center of Nigeria. Its original center is east of the lake, in the Kanem region, but it soon extends to Bornu on the western side. In the 11th century the ruler of Kanem-Bornu converted to Islam. West of Bornu, is where Hausa people reign. They were placed in the right place so that they could control trade with the forest regions to the south. The Hausa develop a number of small but stable kingdoms, each ruled from a strong walled city. In the savanna grasslands and the forest regions west of the Niger, between the Hausa kingdoms and

CULTURE COMPARISON IN NIGERIA WITHIN THREE IGBO SPEAKING LANDS AND (YORUBA) LAND. Nigeria is a west African country with over 180 million people. It consist of 3 known ethnic groups, igbo’s, Hausa’s , and the Yoruba’s. The igbo’s (Biafrans) are known as Christians, the hausa’s are known as muslims and the yoruba’s are mixed Christians and muslims. However in this three ethnic groups there’s so much cultural, language and morality differences.

This novel is set in Enugu, Nigeria West Africa, a central African nation located along the Atlantic Coast. Nigeria is made up of a largely diverse group of people with different ideas and beliefs. In Nigeria there are over 250 ethnic groups, who speak more than 500 languages. Before Nigeria was colonized by Britain, the citizens of the country were doing quite well. “Nigeria contains more historic cultures and empires than any other other nation in Africa” (historyworld.net).

Nigeria has become the fastest growing country in Africa, its coastal ports are the heart and soul of its economy. Since its creation by the British Empire, there has been a civil breakdown and conflict among its tribal leaders. However, their religious understanding between Islam and Christianity has kept them at peace amidst themselves throughout time. The last few years, the government has developed itself into a functioning federation, the people are able to notice how outside influence has improved their daily lives.

the North Region of Nigeria. While Muslims can be found in all parts of Nigeria, their strongest footholds are among the Hausa and the Yoruba. The Igbo Christians in the North were not likeable. The Muslims wanted to start the Sharia law in some areas whereas Christians would not stand for it. There were many tensions between the two religions. The people from both religions to their faith very serious and if anyone tried to disturb them then it was war.

With that being said, Nigeria has the most empires and historic cultures than any other nation in Africa, dating back to the fifth century B.C. (History of Nigeria). With this being said, religion did not really come into the picture until around the 11th century, when the Kanem-Bornu leader converts to Islam (History of Nigeria). This sparks a change throughout all of Nigeria. Many others begin to follow in his footsteps and many tribes, including the Hausa, convert to Islam by around the 14th century (History of Nigeria). Since then, missionaries and many other influences have shifted the religious views. Currently, in Nigeria, the population is about 50 percent Muslim and 50 percent Christian and it will continue to

Although traditional medicine may not have a complex scientific origin, many treatments are supported by a millennia of observation, modification and experience. Due to its proven effectiveness and lower price tags, traditional medicine can be utilized to relieve the costs of health care and poor

The practice of traditional medicine among the people of Nigeria in the Western region of Africa transcends the advent of Bio-Medicine and occupies a prominent position in the delivery of health care.

Nigeria is as often as possible implied as the "Giant of Africa", inferable from its inconceivable people and economy. With around 184 million occupants, Nigeria is the most jammed country in Africa and the seventh most swarmed country on the planet. Nigeria has one of the greatest masses of youth on the planet.

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the country and its environs. Nigeria a former British Colony, located in the western part of Africa, it shares borders with Benin, Cameroun, and Niger. A growing population of 150million, labour force of 51million (70% Agriculture, 10% industry and 20% service), urbanisation is less than 40%, GDP is over $300billion, Per capita income is $2300. Nigeria is blessed with different cultures, languages and ethnic groups (252 in total); this was due to the colonization of the British in the early 19th century (Columbia Encyclopaedia). The British amalgamated its protectorates in 1914 to enable stable control and governance which made them create one Nation of Nigeria formed from all the groups, community and empires around the Niger area under their control. Nigeria had her independence on the 1st of October 1960 and since then various civil wars, political and religious unrest in the country to share power and resources amicably.

     Nigeria has been a country in political turmoil for a long time. The country was created in 1914 under British colonial rule and at that time it was considered a protectorate. It was not until 1960 that Nigeria received independence from the United Kingdom. One of Nigeria's problems politically is that it has over three hundred different ethnic groups. The three largest of these are the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. At the time of the independence of Nigeria it was split up into three states with each state being under the control of one of the major ethnic groups. The natural resources of the other 297 ethnic groups were exploited for the major three groups,

Nigeria uses a healthcare system known as the pluralistic system where there is the involvement of both the public and the private sector (Skolnik, Richard L (2016). The federal government takes charge of mostly university Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Center while the State and Local Government is responsible for Dispensaries or Primary health care regulated by federal government. The private sectors in the country are largely involved in delivering health care services as well. Looking into the healthcare system building block, Nigeria healthcare system is poorly build with no developed, adequate and functional health system to achieve success in their healthcare system in this modern era (Welcome, M. O. (2011). The country is underserved when it comes