An investigation of the acquisition, transfer and preservation of indigenous knowledge by traditional healers in Chibombo district of Zambia.

Indigenous Knowledge on healing is in danger of diminishing because of modern medical
facilities and yet there are inadequate efforts from national and organizational institutions to
capture this knowledge. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the acquisition, transfer
and preservation of Indigenous Knowledge by traditional healers in Chibombo District. This
was achieved by firstly exploring how traditional healers acquired Indigenous Medical
Knowledge. Secondly, by identifying the methods used during IMK transfer. Thirdly,
identifying the methods which were used by traditional healers to preserve IMK and fourthly,
through investigating the challenges which were associated with acquisition, transfer and
preservation of medical knowledge. Using qualitative research method and snowball
sampling, primary data were collected from 29 traditional healers and 5 key informants
through face-to-face interviews. Findings of the study revealed that traditional healers
acquired knowledge of healing through training and ancestral calling. The study also
established that the majority of trained healers were females as they were much more willing
to be trained than males. Findings on IK transfer revealed that majority of traditional healers
transferred IK on healing through demonstration and observation. Findings on knowledge
preservation showed that majority of traditional healers were training their family and other
interested individuals. Results on challenges during acquisition, transfer and preservation of
IK revealed that would-be healers experienced sickness, difficulties in mastering what was
demonstrated and observed, segregation from their known communities and panicking when
patients showed no signs of recovering after administering the herbs to them. The need for
community leaders in Chibombo district to consider educating the local youths during
ceremonial gatherings on the need to acquire and preserve indigenous practices was
recommended. Similarly, the aged traditional healers especially those called by the spirits
should be encouraged to share the knowledge revealed to them to avoid extinction of such
knowledge when they die. This was seen as a way through which unwillingness to learn and
share would be reduced. Secondly, it was recommended that collaborative efforts between
community leaders and traditional healers to document most of the indigenous medicine and
the ailments they healed be strengthened. This was seen as a way through which difficulties
in mastering and panicking among the would-be healers reduce. And thirdly, it was
recommended that Lenje Cultural Association consider documenting and disseminating
information to the local people through showcasing what is available in the Mukuni Culture
Village Museum and Library. This was seen as a way through which many youths would be
encouraged to appreciate the indigenous values in their culture.