Exploring the role of information managers in knowledge transfer and preservation among the “Elewe Omos” (Indigenous herbal medicine practitioners) of the Yorubas in Nigeria

Abstract

Indigenous herbal medicine as an arm of indigenous knowledge has lived with man from existence. In spite of the peculiarity of their mode of operation and services, their method of knowledge transfer and retention remains secretive and largely informal. This is because hardly is there any formal system of learning or a stipulated number of years of study when compared with orthodox medicine. Thus the study investigates how the custodians of indigenous herbal medicine (IHM) popularly called ""Elewe Omos"" among the Yorubas of the South Western Nigeria transfer their acquired knowledge of herbal medicine from one generation to another. This is a qualitative study and so data was gathered through focus group discussion. Respondents were drawn from key practitioners from members of the National Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NATMP). The study leveraged on the recent herbal fair organised by the NATMP. Thirty-eight (38) practitioners from the 6 Southwestern states participated in the fair. The study employed a random sampling technique to select one (1) out of every six (6) practitioners. The outcome of the study revealed among others that indigenous herbal medicine knowledge is devoid of any form of secrecy or spiritism, The study concludes that the process of knowledge transfer of indigenous herbal medicine, can be effectively coordinated by effort of information managers in preserving this age long knowledge of the African people for onward transmission to coming generation and for improved health care system.