Africa Geographic March 2005 [antikvár]

1 l' ' ?^.'j i m ¦ »rr iv: editorial ^ To the Western mind it J may well seem abhorrent to " slaughter wild animals to make potions that show no evidence of pharmaceutical efficacy ^ ^ Sensitive readers may well be disturbed by the strong image we selected to open Thomas Peschak's report on the use of wildlife in traditional African medicine (see 'Animal magic', page 38). The killing of animals for their supposed curative properties in the treatment of malaises of the psyche and society sits uncomfortably with the notion of a wilderness protected from human exploitation. But then so does the bushmeat trade, the ivory and rhino horn trade, aspects of hunting, and the animal pet trade, to name a few. The use of animals for miithi (medicine), therefore, is yet another African reality - a reality that needs to be well understood by conservationists justifiably concerned that among the animals prized for their therapeutic value are many on the lUCN's list of endangered species. It also needs to be well understood by those more concerned with animal welfare and who regard trade in animals and their body parts as inhumane and inappropriate. To the Western mind it may well seem abhorrent to slaughter wild animals to make potions that show no evidence of pharmaceutical efficacy. Why not simply ban the use of animals for such purposes? Well, attempts to do this have historically ended in complete failure, and even where policing has been efficient, the only result has been to drive the problem underground. Perhaps this is better understood in the context of the World Health Organization's estimate that some 80 per cent of Africa's sub-Saharan people resort to traditional medicine as their primary source of health care. In economic terms this represents a user base of some 640 million people - a market force to be reckoned with in anyone's terms. Many of the treatments provided by traditional healers use plant material as their ingredients and, aside from some concerns about the overexploitation of certain plant species, few would quarrel with this. Whereas plant-based medicines are used predominantly to treat physical maladies, troubles of the mind and community evoke a need for the energies and attributes of animals: bits of elephant for strength, parts of the lion for bravery, the hands and feet of a baboon to improve a goalkeeper's skills Now, of course, we are in the uneasy territory of mythology, superstition, spells and witchcraft, of mind over matter and, indeed, matter over mind. To simply condemn such practices is to misunderstand the cultural power of traditional medicine and its practitioners. But neither should an acceptance of and respect for Africa's cultural diversity result in policies of no action. Constructive engagement with practitioners and, perhaps, the wider accessibility of Western medicines present the only way forward. Ultimately, of course, it is only through education and addressing the awful toll of poverty, pandemic illness and the horrors of warfare that society can produce healthy people who can at least have the potential for conducting their lives without mind medicine. Western or traditional. Our decision, therefore, was not motivated by gratuitous sensationalism, but simply to illustrate, albeit forcefully, that there are many facets to the complex issue of wildlife use across the vast expanse of the African continent. About our magailne Africa Ceographic is editorially and financially independent. It enjoys the support and endorsement of several non-government organisations, but it is not affiliated in any way to these bodies or to any other publishing, environmental or political interest group. Africa Ceographic strives to foster an awareness of wildlife, consen/ation, eco-travel, indigenous cultures and the general environment. It consistently advocates the wisest use of natural resources in a manner that involves and is of real benefit to the people of Africa. Africa Geographic is published 11 times a year by Black Eagle Publishing, an independent organisation owned by its shareholders and directors: Peter Borchert, Simon Espley and Murray jackson. 6 AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC • MARCH 2005