The Sunday Mail
TRADITIONAL medicine has always played a primary role in people’s health. The range of therapies and practices is wide, varying from one country to another and from region to region.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu
When people marry, the first expectation from the couple’s families is having a child. The child is viewed as the most important asset.
Due to the perception that it adds value to the family she has been married to, the wife in most cases begins to be concerned about having a baby. Later, because the man also desires for his family to grow, he too expresses great concern.
Among the most concerned parties are those who have received lobola.
When their daughter is taking long to conceive, they hold a meeting on what needs to be done. They consult a traditional medical practitioner in search of solutions. This is mostly done by the wife and her relatives without the husband’s knowledge.
We have traditional pharmacologists inspired by spirits who are the source of information on medicinal plants and health problems.
After a traditional medical practictioner (TMP) diagnoses the problem behind lack of childbirth, a specific treatment for that problem is prescribed.
In most cases, the woman requests the sex of the baby she desires and the TMP will prescribe medicine that will enable her to what she wants.
So, TMPs know how to help families that only have sons to also have daughters and vice versa.
Once a woman conceives, she is ready for the next line of treatment. The TMP will examine her blood levels and constantly check the birth canal.
There is special traditional medicine for this treatment that is why very few women used to die while giving birth.
Measurements of the canal opening were done to check if the child would be able to successfully pass through.
There is also traditional medicine to prevent transmission of diseases during childbirth.
In African Traditional Religion, babies receive their immunisation while in their mother’s womb due to fears of witchcraft and other communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Soon after giving birth, the mother receives the third line of treatment. Special precautions are taken during delivery without operative surgery.
The baby is properly directed out with hands only, leaving the mother alive and well. The size to which the umbilical cord is cut is considered carefully as it determines the size of the sex organs of both boys and girls.
Boiled water is used on the mother to ensure she is cleaned and this continues for several days while the woman is kept indoors to recover her strength.
At this time, the mother also receives treatment to ensure the womb is back in its proper position.
The wife’s relatives inform the husband of the new baby and he is asked to name the child.
Finally, gifts are given to the mother and the baby – but not the father!
If the baby refuses to suckle, the TMP is again consulted to check if this is a spiritual or physical factor at play.
Also, the baby gets traditional medicine to prevent different illnesses and to boos strength and immunity.
Yes, our traditional medical practitioners are more comprehensive than Western modern practitioners.
