Abstract:
Indigenous knowledge is a localized knowledge that is acquired by locals
through their experiences, informal experiments, and familiarity with their
local environment. The knowhow of cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment
practice using indigenous knowledge play a key role to improve farming
and animal husbandry practices. The farmers of rural area use indigenous
knowledge for diagnosis and treatment of cattle diseases, but currently this
knowledge was disappearing because of not properly collecting, storing,
sharing and applying. The aim of this study was to explore indigenous
knowledge for cattle diseases diagnosis, treatment and modes of application.
The exploratory research method was used and data collection instruments
were focus group discussion, observation, and interview. The populations of this study were selected farmers of six (6) Kebeles who have a good experience
on the area. The attained data showed that, people in the study area have
good perception and practices on the indigenous knowledge medicine of
cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment. The drugs of the knowledge practices
are easy to access and very little in cost, it is economically important to the
farmers. The knowledge practices were accessed from elders and transferred
through orally. To acquire, share, store indigenous knowledge medicine,
local herbalist, poem and heroic tale mechanisms were used. This kind of
valuable knowledge need to be stored transferred and preserved for the next
generation. Documenting indigenous knowledge is very crucial to avoid the
loss of this indigenous knowledge practices in the Kebeles.
