Abstract

Zootherapy is the healing of human ailments by using therapeutics based medicines obtained from animals. The present study reports the use of drugs of animal origin that have been practiced by the people of Kunama in Kafta-Humera district, Northern Ethiopia. Ethnozoological data was collected from 30 traditional healers who were selected based on their experience and recognition as experts from September to November, 2010. Sixteen species of medicinal animals were collected and identified for treating 18 different human ailments, of which about 44% were domestic animals. The traditional medicine were administrated orally (14, 63.6%) and dermatologically (8, 36.4%). Majority (17, 77.3%) of the remedy preparations did not have additive substances. Different parts and products of animals that were used for remedy preparations include bile, milk, blood, pancreas, urine, hair and fecal matter. The medicinal animals have various methods of preparation for different types of ailments like crushing, powdering, squeezing, direct use and cooking. Most of the traditional medicinal animal preparations were used in fresh form (16, 72.7%). Further studies concerning the conservation and management of the animal resources are needed. People of the study area should take care of their animal resources so as not cause total eradication.

Key words: Ethnozoolgy, Kafta Humera, medicinal animals.