The Ethnic Medicine in Africa and Islam: A Legacy of Coherence and Give & Take

Abstract:

Ethnic medicine has an ancient, multifaceted existence in African culture as well as in other cultures. In this regard, the present paper is an attempt to explore ethnic medicine in Africa in light of its Islamic influences. This is achieved through a socio-historical approach to ethnic medicine, examining some of its principles in light of the Islamic vision toward medicine and its practices.

Furthermore, this paper attempts to explore ethnic medicine practices among three Muslim ethnic groups in Africa, namely: the Zaramo, the Hausa, and the Tuareg. In doing so, the paper reveals the presence of deep and diversified Islamic influences on the medical thought and practices among these ethnic groups. These influences are the result of the principles of harmony and acceptance adopted by Islam toward other civilizations, in contrast to the principles of negation and clash that characterized the attitude of Western imperialist powers toward African civilization and its ethnic medicine.