Acquisition, transfer and preservation of Indigenous Medical Knowledge by traditional healers in Zambia

This study aimed at investigating the acquisition, transfer, and preservation of indigenous knowledge by traditional healers in Chibombo District. The objectives of the study were to explore how traditional healers acquired Indigenous Medical Knowledge, identify the methods used during IMK transfer, identify the methods which were used by traditional healers to preserve IMK and investigate the challenges that were associated with the acquisition, transfer, and preservation of medical knowledge. Using qualitative research method and snowball sampling, primary data were collected from 29 traditional healers and 5 key informants through face-to-face face interviews. Findings revealed that traditional healers acquired knowledge of healing through training and ancestral calling. The study also established that the majority of trained healers were females, as they were much more willing to be trained than males.