TSHIUNGANI – African indigenous knowledge systems are playing a major role in the fight against chronic diseases and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle across the whole world.

This was confirmed when the local well-known academic and traditional healer, Zacharia Ramaliba (53) was invited to California, USA, to deliver a paper on the significance of African traditional healing. Ramaliba spent eight days sharing knowledge with people from different cultures and religions on how to improve the world’s health, while at the same time promoting the use of African medicine globally.

Ramaliba, who stays at a remote rural village of Tshiungani, outside Musina, arrived from the US last week. He had been invited by Journey to the Heart, a non-profit organization, which aims at encouraging people across the whole world to apply their indigenous knowledge according to their cultures and religions.

Ramaliba, a member of the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit, situated at the University of Venda, said the invitation was an eye-opener, as he came back with a wealth of experience which he will share with other traditional healers, academics, and members of the community at large.

He continued: “We were mainly focusing on the treatment of chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, ulcers and tuberculosis. African medicines were found to be very effective in the treatment of those diseases and our traditional healing system was highly commended by delegates from all corners of the world. We also looked at the ways in which African traditional healers can develop a good working relationship with the western doctors to find a way of developing a healthy and productive nation. Personally, I have also learnt that traditional healing is getting recognition worldwide, due to our ability to work closely with the western doctors, and this brings positive results to the patients. We also shared experiences with faith healers and western scientists to come up with strategies that will help to build a formidable world health system.”

Ramaliba said he also treated some people with African herbs in the US and they were very impressed by the healing powers which African herbs boast.

“I told the delegates that, according to our African culture, there is no disease that is incurable. Diseases contaminate blood and the first thing we do is to cleanse the contaminated blood, hence doing away with the disease…”

Ramaliba encouraged communities to be proud of their cultural practices, as culture is the basis from which all human relations start. “Let’s preserve what is ours instead of looking down upon ourselves while promoting other people’s practices. We must also teach our young generation the value of our tradition and how we can incorporate our culture in the transforming world,” said Ramaliba in conclusion.