Ethnozoological Study of Traditional Medicinal Animals in Dangila District, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

There is evidence that human beings are familiar with the use of animals and plants for food, cloth and medicine. In Ethiopia, many ethnic communities have been dependent on local traditional medicinal system for their health care. Thus, the aim of this study was to carry out animal based traditional medicinal use of Dangila people. In order to document the ethno zoological information about animal and their products a study was carried out from May to July, 2022.The data was collected through semi- structured questionnaire and interview from the 80 selected respondents. Then the name of animal and other ethno zoological information were documented. A total of 52 animal species were reported to be used to cure 65 human ailment including swelling, malaria, tumor, cough, paralysis and joint pain and for other religious/and ritual purposes. Based on the ethno-zoological survey, 28 mammals, 10 birds, 7 reptiles, 4 arthropods 2 fishes and 1 annelid are used in traditional zootherauptics in the study area. Furthermore, the skin of hyena that used to relieved evil eye has the highest fidelity level (FL) (64%) whereas Colobus monkey has the lowest FL (3%) used treat mumps. The overall results indicated that ethno-zoological practices have been an important alternative medicinal practice for the people residing in the study area. It is hoped that this information will be useful for further research in the field of ethno- zoology, ethno- pharmacology and conservation point of view.