Ritual uses of palms in traditional medicine in sub-Saharan Africa: a review

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Henrik Balslev¹  Tinde R van Andel²  Marta Gruca¹ 

[1] Department of Bioscience – Research Group Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Build. 1540, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands

关键词: Witchcraft;    Sacred places;    Healing;    Treatment;    Magic plants;    Arecaceae;   

Others  :  1146354
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-4269-10-60

 received in 2014-02-03, accepted in 2014-06-14,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Palms (Arecaceae) are prominent elements in African traditional medicines. It is, however, a challenge to find detailed information on the ritual use of palms, which are an inextricable part of African medicinal and spiritual systems. This work reviews ritual uses of palms within African ethnomedicine. We studied over 200 publications on uses of African palms and found information about ritual uses in 26 of them. At least 12 palm species in sub-Saharan Africa are involved in various ritual practices: Borassus aethiopum, Cocos nucifera, Dypsis canaliculata, D. fibrosa, D. pinnatifrons, Elaeis guineensis, Hyphaene coriacea, H. petersiana,Phoenix reclinata, Raphia farinifera, R. hookeri, and R. vinifera. In some rituals, palms play a central role as sacred objects, for example the seeds accompany oracles and palm leaves are used in offerings. In other cases, palms are added as a support to other powerful ingredients, for example palm oil used as a medium to blend and make coherent the healing mixture. A better understanding of the cultural context of medicinal use of palms is needed in order to obtain a more accurate and complete insight into palm-based traditional medicines.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Gruca et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Mafimisebi TE, Oguntade AE: Preparation and use of plant medicines for farmers’ health in Southwest Nigeria: socio-cultural, magico-religious and economic aspects. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2010, 6:1.
• [2]Sofowora A: Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books; 1993.
• [3]Cocks M, Møller V: Use of indigenous and indigenised medicines to enhance personal well-being: a South African case study. Soc Sci Med 2002, 54(3):387-397.
• [4]Dagher D, Ross E: Approaches of South African traditional healers regarding the treatment of cleft lip and palate. Cleft Palate-Cran J 2004, 41(4):461-469.
• [5]Evans-Pritchard E: Witchraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande. (Ed. Eva Gillies). Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1976.
• [6]Mill JE: I’m not a “basabasa” woman: an explanatory model of HIV illness in Ghanaian women. Clin Nurs Res 2001, 10(3):254-274.
• [7]Myren B: Magic in Southern Ghana. Leiden: Department of Anthropology, Leiden University; 2011. [BSc thesis]
• [8]Stekelenburg J, Jager BE, Kolk PR, Westen EHMN, ven der Kwaak A, Wolffers IN: Health care seeking behavior and utilization of traditional healers in Kalaboo, Zambia. Health policy 2005, 71:67-81.
• [9]Turner V: Lunda medicine and the treatment of disease. In The Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu ritual. Edited by Turner V. USA: Cornell University Press; 1967:299-358.
• [10]Junod HA: The Life of a South African Tribe. Vol. II. 2 edition. London: Macmillan and Co; 1927.
• [11]van Andel T, Myren B, van Onselen S: Ghana’s herbal market. J Ethnopharmacol 2012, 14:368-378.
• [12]Burkill HM: The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2 Vol. 4 edition. Kew, London: Families M-R. Royal Botanic Gardens; 1997:340-392.
• [13]Byg A, Balslev H: Diversity and use of palms in Zahamena, eastern Madagascar. Biodivers Conserv 2001, 10:951-970.
• [14]Byg A, Balslev H: Traditional knowledge of Dypsis fibrosa (Arecaceae) in Eastern Madagascar. Econ Bot 2001, 55(2):263-275.
• [15]Lee R, Balick MJ: Palms, people, and health. Ethnomedicine. Explore 2008, 4(1):59-62.
• [16]Macía MJ, Armesilla PJ, Cámara-Leret R, Paniagua-Zambrana N, Villalba S, Balslev H, Pardo-de-Santayana M: Palm uses in northwestern South America: a quantitative review. Bot Rev 2011, 77:462-570.
• [17]Bellomaria B, Kacou P: Plantes et medicine populaire d’Agboville (Côte d’Ivoire). Fitoterapia 1995, 66:117-141.
• [18]Betti JL: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants among the baka pygmies in the Dja biospehere reserve, Cameroon. Afr Stud Monog 2004, 25(1):1-27.
• [19]El-Kamali HH, Khalid SA: The most common herbal remedies in Dongola Province, Northern Sudan. Fitoterapia 1998, 69:118-121.
• [20]Nadembega P, Boussim JI, Nikiema JB, Poli F, Antognoni F: Medicinal plants in Baskoure, Kourittenga Province, Burkina Faso: An ethnobotanical study. J Ethnopharmacol 2011, 133:378-395.
• [21]Zambrana NYP, Byg A, Svenning J-C, Moraes M, Grandez C, Balslev H: Diversity of palm uses in the western Amazon. Biodivers Conserv 2007, 16:2771-2778.
• [22]Bouton L: Palmeæ. In Plantes Médicinales de Maurice. 2nd edition. Mauritius: Port Louis Ile Maurice; 1864:133-134.
• [23]Le Clerk J: Des Plantes Médicinales de l’ile de la Réunion et de Leur Application a la Thérapeutique. France: Imprimerie du journal La Malle, Saint-Denis; 1864:46.
• [24]Yetein MH, Houessou LG, Lougbégnon TO, Teka O, Tente B: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in plateau of Allada, Benin (West Africa). J Ethnopharmacol 2013, 146:154-163.
• [25]Allabi AC, Busiac K, Ekanmiana V, Bakionob F: The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin. J Ethnopharmacol 2011, 133:234-243.
• [26]Diallo D, Sogn C, Samaké FB, Paulsen BS, Michaelsen TE, Keita A: Wound healing plants in Mali, the Bamako Region. An ethnobotanical survey and complement fixation of water extracts from selected plants. Pharm Biol 2002, 40(02):117-128.
• [27]Dibong SD, Mpondo Mpondo E, Ngoye A, Priso RJ: Modalities of exploitation of medicinal plants in Douala’s region. Am J Food Nutr 2011, 1(2):67-73.
• [28]Karou SD, Tchacondo T, Tchibozo MAD, Abdoul-Rahaman S, Anani K, Koudouvo K, Batawila K, Agbonon A, Simpore J, de Souza C: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Central Region of Togo. Pharm Biol 2011, 49(12):1286-1297.
• [29]Matavele J, Habib M: Ethnobotany in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique: use of medicinal plants. Environ Dev Sustain 2000, 2:227-234.
• [30]Tahraoui A, El-Hilaly J, Israili ZH, Lyoussi B: Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used in the traditional treatment of hypertension and diabetes in south-eastern Morocco (Errachidia province). J Ethnopharmacol 2007, 110:105-117.
• [31]Khalid H, Abdalla WE, Abdelgadir H, Opatz T, Efferth T: Gems from traditional north-African medicine: medicinal and aromatic plants from Sudan. Nat Prod Bioprospecting 2012, 2:92-103.
• [32]Asase A, Hesse DN, Simmonds MSJ: Uses of multiple plants prescriptions for treatment of malaria by some communities in southern Ghana. J Ethnopharmacol 2012, 144:448-452.
• [33]Igoli JO, Ogaji OG, Tor-Anyiin TA, Igoli NP: Traditional medicine practice amongst the igede people of Nigeria. Part II Afr J Trad CAM 2005, 2(2):134-152.
• [34]Noumi EPH, Eloumou MER: Syphilis ailment: prevalence and herbal remedies in ebolowa subdivision (south region, Cameroon). Int J Pharm Biomed Sci 2011, 2(1):20-28.
• [35]Nunkoo DH, Mahomoodally MF: Ethnopharmacological survey of native remedies commonly used against infectious diseases in the tropical island of Mauritius. J Ethnopharmacol 2012, 143:548-564.
• [36]Yaméogo J, Belem-Ouédraogo M, Bayala J, Ouédraogo MB, Guinko S: Uses and commercialization of borassus akeassii bayton, ouédraogo, guinko non-wood timber products in south-western Burkina Faso, west Africa. Biotechnol Agron Soc Environ 2008, 12(1):47-55.
• [37]Rush D: Ephemerality and the “unfinished” in Vodun aesthetics. Afr Arts 2010, 43(1):60-75.
• [38]Quenum J-C: Education traditionnelle Au bénin, La place du sacré dans Les rites initiatiques. Int Rev Educ 1999, 45(3/4):281-303.
• [39]Kahn J: Policing ‘Evil’: state-sponsored witch-hunting in the People’s Republic of Bénin. J Religion Afr 2011, 41:4-34.
• [40]Dransfield J, Uhl NW, Asmussen CB, Baker WJ, Harley MM, Lewis CE: Genera Palmarum: The Evolution and Classification of Palms. London, UK: Kew Publishing; 2008.
• [41]Johnson DV, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Non-Wood Forest Products: Tropical palms. 10/Rev.1. Rome: FAO; 2011.
• [42]Govaerts R, Dransfield J: World Checklist of Palms. Kew, London: Royal Botanic Gardens; 2005.
• [43]The International Plant Names Index (IPNI)http://www.ipni.org webcite
• [44]Tomlinson PB: The Structural Biology of Palms. New York: Oxford University Press; 1990.
• [45]Smith EW, Dale AM: The Ila-Speaking Peoples of Northern Rhodesia. 1st edition. London: Macmillan and Co; 1920.
• [46]Nagata JM, Jewc AR, Kimeud JM, Salmena CR, Bukusie EA, Cohenf CR: Medical pluralism on Mfangano island: use of medicinal plants among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Suba District, Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 2011, 135:501-509.
• [47]Maclean U: Magical Medicine. A Nigerian Case-Study. London: The Penguin Press; 1977.
• [48]Harley GW: Native African Medicine. With Special Reference to Its Practice in the Mano Tribe in Liberia. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd; 1970.
• [49]Akendengué B, Louis AM: Medicinal plants used by Masango people in Gabon. J Etnopharmacol 1994, 41:193-200.
• [50]Burton RF: A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahome: With Notices of the so-Called “Amazons” the Grand Customs, the Human Sacrifices, the Present State of the Slave Trade and the negro’s Place in Nature. London: Tylston; 1893.
• [51]Adjanohoun EJ, Ahyi AMR, Aké Assi L, Baniakina J, Chibon P, Cusset G, Doulou V, Enzanza A, Eymé J, Goudoté E, Keita A, Mbemba C, Mollet J, Moutsamboté JM, Mpati J, Sita P: Contribution aux Études Ethnobotaniques et Floristiques en République Populaire du Congo. Paris: Médecine Traditionelle et Pharmacopée. Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique; 1988.
• [52]Mabberley DJ: The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Higher Plants. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1987:371.
• [53]Quiroz D, Towns A, Legba SI, Swier J, Brière S, Sosef M, van Andel T: Quantifying the domestic market in herbal medicine in Benin, West Africa. J Ethnopharmacol 2014, 151:1100-1108.
• [54]Towns AM, Eyi SM, van Andel TR: Traditional medicine and child care in Western Africa: mothers’ knowledge, folk illnesses, and patterns of healthcare-seeking behavior. Plos ONEIn press
• [55]Smith EW, Dale AM: The Ila-Speaking Peoples of Northern Rhodesia. 2nd edition. London: Macmillan and Co; 1920.
• [56]Altman N: Sacred Trees. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books; 1994.
• [57]Heine B, Heine I: Plant Concepts and Plant use: An Ethno-Botanical Survey of the Semi-Arid and Arid Lands of East Africa: Part 1. Plants of the Chamus (Kenya). Saarbrücken: Verlag Breitenbach; 1988. [Kölner Beiträge zur Entwicklungsländerforschung, Bd. 6]
• [58]Rodin RJ: The ethnobotany of the kwanyama ovambos. Monogr Syst Bot Mo Bot 1985, 9:1-163.
• [59]Katende AB, Ssegawa P, Birnie A: Wild Food Plants and Mushrooms of Uganda. Kenya: Regional Land Management Unit/Sida; 1999:346-347.
• [60]Cameroon: Christians celebrate Palm Sundayhttp://allafrica.com/stories/200803171405.html webcite
• [61]Christians in Cape Coast hold church service to mark Palm Sundayhttp://vibeghana.com/2013/03/24/christians-in-cape-coast-hold-church-service-to-mark-palm-sunday/ webcite
• [62]Herlehy TJ: Ties that bind: palm wine and blood-brotherhood at the Kenya coast during the 19th century. Int JAfr Hist Stud 1984, 17(2):285-308.
• [63]Rush D: In remembrance of slavery. Afr Arts 2011, 44(1):40-51.
• [64]Sugishita K: Traditional medicine, biomedicine and christianity in modern Zambia. Africa 2009, 79(3):435-453.
• [65]Tchacondo T, Karou SD, Agban A, Bako M, Batawila K, Bawa ML, Gbeassor M, de Souza C: Medicinal plants use in central Togo (Africa) with an emphasis on the timing. Pharmacog Res 2012, 4(2):92-103.
• [66]Benbadis SR, Chang S, Hunter J, Wang W: The influence of the full moon on seizure frequency: myth or reality? Epilepsy Behav 2004, 5:596-597.
• [67]Abbink J: Me’en ritual medicinal and other plants: a contribution to south-west Ethiopian ethno-botany. J Ethiopian Stud 1993, 26(2):1-21.
• [68]Chevalier AJB: Les Végétaux Utiles de l’Afrique Tropicale Française. Paris; 1910:7-66.
• [69]Juhé-Beaulaton D, Roussel B: Sacred Spaces in Ritual Practices. May Vodun Sacred Spaces be Considered as a Natural Patrimony? In Creating and Representing Sacred Spaces. Edited by Gardner T, Moritz D. Göttingen: Göttinger Beiträge zur Asienforschung Nr. 2–3: Peust and Gutschmidt Verlag; 2003.
• [70]Moerman DE: Agreement and meaning: rethinking consensus analysis. J Ethnopharmacol 2007, 112:451-460.
• [71]Young A: Some implications of medical beliefs and practices for social anthropology. Am Anthropol 1976, 78(1):5-24.
• [72]Corrigan BM, Van Wyk B-E, Geldenhuys CJ, Jardine JM: Ethnobotanical plant uses in the KwaNibela Peninsula, St Lucia, South Africa. S Afr J Bot 2011, 77:346-359.
• [73]Comaroff J, Comaroff J: Policing culture, cultural policing: law and social order in postcolonial South Africa. Law Social Inq 2004, 29(3):513-545.
• [74]Magoola R: Engaging witchcraft accusations among christians as a vehicle of African traditional religious self-advocacy in African contexts. Asbury J 2013, 68(1):97-107.
• [75]Cohan JA: The problem of witchcraft violence in Africa. Suffolk U L Rev 2011, 64(4):803-872.
• [76]Meel BL: Witchcraft in Transkei region of south African: case report. Afr Health Sci 2009, 9(1):61-64.