Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe Kambari folk medicine. The

research was conducted in Kambari dominated Magama Local Government

Area, Niger State. Nasko, Salka and Magaman – Daji communities were

selected for the study. Seventy nine (79) households were selected in Nasko,

78 in Salka and 74 in Magaman–Daji by first enumerating the Kambari

households at each site after which a systematic random sampling was

conducted. In all, a total of 231 household heads responded to the

questionnaire. Thirteen traditional healers (five in Nasko and four each in

Salka and Magaman – Daji) were included in the study. An in-depth

interview was conducted with each of them on diseases they treat and the

outcomes of the treatments. They had been practicing traditional medicine

for an average of 19 years.

The household heads belong in three religious groups; Islam (48.9%),

Christianity (28.2%) and Kambari Traditional Religion (22.9%). Fifty one

percent (51%) of them had formal education, ranging from primary to

tertiary levels. Sixty three percent (63%) of the respondents believe that

illnesses are caused by supernatural factors