ANIMAL DISEASES AND THE INDIGENOUS MEDICAL LORE IN WALLO

This article looks at some of the prevalent animal diseases and the indigenous medical lore being deployed to fight against them in Wallo, Ethiopia. The complex interaction of human beings and their bio-physical environment has been part of the history of peoples’ endless struggle to adapt to an environment and survive. The struggle to maintain the health of domestic animals by means of traditional medical practices has been part of this endeavour. This particular aspect of survival deserves to be critically examined and documented. In light of the above objectives, documenting the history of animal diseases contributes to our understanding of indigenous healing traditions and coping methods in Wallo. The data for this study was collected on different occasions from the three adjoining woredas (districts) of Dessie Zuria, Qallu, and Tehuledere of South Wallo Administrative Zone. Beyond extensive interviews with oral informants, and meticulous examination of archival records of the Ministry of Interior, the Dessie municipality, and the South Wallo Agriculture office, the research has also made use of several secondary source materials.