The Village Traditional Healer

African Traditional Healer

African Traditional Medicine encompasses a rich tapestry of knowledge, skills, and practices rooted in the profound wisdom, beliefs, culture, and experiences of indigenous people across diverse African cultures. It plays a vital role in the preservation of health and serves as a cornerstone for the prevention, diagnosis, improvement, and treatment of both physical and mental illnesses among African communities. In many African countries, this holistic approach to healthcare is often referred to as alternative or complementary medicine, which is still popular among African societies (Candilada, 2023; Joshua & Tshamano, 2023).

One pivotal aspect of African Traditional Medicine that holds immense significance is the role of traditional healers within communities. In Rwanda, as in many other African nations, traditional healers are revered and respected members of society. They serve as custodians of ancient healing knowledge, passed down through generations. These healers play a crucial role in providing healthcare services and are often the first point of contact for community members seeking medical assistance. Herbal treatments stand out as the most widely embraced and practiced form of Rwandan community traditional medicine and within the African context. Remarkably, statistics reveal that between 70% to 80% of the region’s population has, at one point or another, sought the benefits of herbal remedies as their primary source of healthcare, often under the guidance of traditional healers. This profound reliance on herbal medicine underscores its deep-rooted significance in African society, where it has remained a trusted and accessible means of promoting well-being and addressing health challenges (Ozioma & Chinwe, 2019; Mothibe & Sibanda, 2019).

African Traditional Medicine, deeply rooted in centuries-old healing practices, stands as a testament to the enduring heritage of indigenous wisdom. It serves as a reservoir of age-old remedies, symbolizing a wellspring of resilience within African communities. This traditional approach to healthcare transcends the mere realm of physical well-being; it embodies the very essence of community, shared knowledge, and cultural identity. Moreover, African Traditional Medicine is intricately woven into the fabric of African spirituality and philosophy. It harmoniously aligns with the African Ubuntu philosophy, which places paramount importance on interconnectedness and humanity. This ethos is reflected in the practices of many traditional healers, who often provide their services without financial charge, guided by the principles of Ubuntu. Their commitment to the well-being of their communities goes beyond monetary gain, reaffirming the holistic nature of traditional healing.

In this photo, captured by Daniel Kisangau, we witness an African traditional medicine practitioner in Tanzania engrossed in the meticulous preparation of herbal remedies. This age-old practice of crafting medicinal potions using indigenous plants is a common and preferred approach in many African communities. The use of herbal interventions holds an undeniable place in traditional medicine across a wide spectrum of disease conditions and among individuals of varying socioeconomic backgrounds on the African continent. While the effectiveness of certain treatments has been documented, a prevailing issue is the scarcity of information concerning quality control measures in this realm.

However, African traditional medicines have faced significant challenges due to the encroachment of Western culture on African traditions, compounded by the pervasive racism that has historically deemed African knowledge as inferior and unworthy. Prior to the widespread influence of Western culture in Africa, African traditional medicines were highly regarded and often outperformed other global healing practices, including Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, the arrival of Western religion and colonialism led to the stigmatization and misrepresentation of African traditional medicines as demonic or superstitious. In reality, these practices are deeply rooted in an ancient way of harmonizing with the natural world, recognizing its profound healing potential, and protecting communities from various illnesses. It is imperative to acknowledge that African Traditional Medicine is intimately connected to the environment and reflects a profound relationship with nature. My own upbringing in the late 1980s serves as a poignant reminder of the significant role played by revered figures in our community, such as “Mama Gatabazi,” a traditional healer whose unwavering dedication to healing through African traditional medicines has left an indelible mark on our lives. To this day, I continue to share her story, as it serves as a living testament to the enduring power of African Traditional Medicine and the rich cultural heritage it embodies.

Mama Gatabazi

Throughout my formative years as a primary school pupil, my passion for sports became an integral part of my identity. From a young age, I enthusiastically participated in various sporting disciplines, including football (soccer), long-distance running, and basketball, both at the school and regional interschool levels. These early experiences on the field allowed my athletic abilities to shine, earning me recognition within my community. Sports transcended mere pastimes; they evolved into a source of immense pride, a unifying force, and a defining element of our collective identity as Africans. Despite the inherent challenges and resource limitations that often accompanied my pursuit of sporting excellence in school, my unwavering dedication to excelling in my chosen sports, football and basketball, served as a beacon of inspiration for those around me. However, this passion was not without its consequences, as I frequently experienced broken foot bones, strained muscles, and leg fractures during our school matches. With limited access to modern healthcare and medicines, our community often turned to our trusted traditional healer, Mama Gatabazi, for medical assistance.

My unwavering competitive spirit, which led me to double as both the goalkeeper and defense on the field, often left me vulnerable to the tackles of our opponents, resulting in several occasions where I found myself on a stretcher, carried away by my concerned playmates. My agility and proficiency in using both my right and left feet frequently resulted in broken bones. Although we lacked nearby hospitals to tend to my injuries, a unique tradition prevailed when it came to treating such ailments. Instead of rushing the injured to a conventional healthcare center, we sought the assistance of an enigmatic figure known as Mama Gatabazi, the community’s Traditional Orthopedic Healer. Mama Gatabazi was renowned for her ability to treat a wide range of illnesses, from non-life-threatening conditions to more serious ailments. She specialized in healing women suffering from diseases that caused their breasts to rot away, among other afflictions. For those of us with broken bones, Mama Gatabazi’s care and expertise provided solace and, ultimately, healing.

I vividly recall a memorable day when our local team faced off against our neighboring soccer team, Rwinzovu. I held the crucial position of goalkeeper for my team, and the match reached a pivotal moment when a penalty kick was awarded to our opponents. Imarirahinda, one of their players, aimed for the left corner of our goalposts. In a swift and instinctive move, I leaped into action, managing to block the ball from nestling into the corner.

However, the ball rebounded right back to Imarirahinda, who wasted no time in preparing for another shot. I lunged toward him, determined to thwart his attempt, but as I landed, the impact was unforgiving. My foot met the ball, and my metatarsal bones suffered the consequences, leading to a painful fracture. The force of the collision caused a portion of my foot to bend forward, and the excruciating pain was immediate. Without hesitation, my concerned playmates swiftly constructed a makeshift stretcher from bamboo and carried me to the one place our community turned to in such dire circumstances: Mama Gatabazi, our revered traditional healer. It was common knowledge that upon reaching Mama Gatabazi’s care, the intensity of our suffering would begin to subside.

Mama Gatabazi’s healing methods remained enigmatic, surpassing the comprehension of modern-day medical practitioners. Upon entering her unassuming dwelling, I would be presented with a bitter herbal concoction crafted from plants foraged in the nearby forest. Consuming this potion initiated a unique experience, as it induced a state of physical hibernation and localized numbing of the injured area, effectively mitigating the excruciating pain while allowing me to remain fully conscious throughout the process. This marked the initial phase of her distinctive telemedicine treatment, a procedure unlike anything I had encountered elsewhere. Despite having had opportunities to travel the world and visit advanced hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technologies, I have never encountered anything remotely resembling Mama Gatabazi’s techniques or her medicinal process, which hinged on the utilization of herbs from the nearby forest, a simple stick from her traditional African thatched house, and her profound words of wisdom.

Mama Gatabazi’s extraordinary telemedicine procedure unfolded with meticulous precision, encompassing four distinct yet intricately connected phases. Initially, upon my arrival at her home, writhing in excruciating pain, she would administer a potion composed of incredibly bitter concoctions, carefully crafted from her secret stash of herbs. As I reluctantly consumed this potent elixir, I remained awake but found that the excruciating pain had miraculously dulled. Her mastery extended to the next phase, where she deftly applied a selection of freshly pounded herbs to the precise site of my fracture. This remarkable intervention worked like a charm, obliterating the relentless pain that had tormented me, providing an immediate and much-needed reprieve.

Moving on to the subsequent phase, Mama Gatabazi combined dried powdered herbs with another batch of freshly pounded herbs, adding an intriguing twist. She ventured to her thatched-roof house, selecting a specific stick from its framework. This unassuming stick was bestowed with a name of great significance – “Twayigize,” my very own last name. With gentle precision, she immersed this stick in the amalgam of herbs she had prepared, placing it tenderly on the affected area. In her soft, soothing voice, she would murmur, “This is Twayigize, your son who is hurting. May you bring healing into his life and health so that he may return to play with his friends, fetch water from the river for his family, and once again be the lively, playful boy he used to be.” Mama Gatabazi would then invoke the names of God – Imana in Kinyarwanda, the Creator (Ruhanga), the Healer (Mukiza), the Comforter (Umuhoza), and the Giver of life (Rurema), entreating divine intervention to work through her herbs and facilitate relief and healing.

In the final phase, Mama Gatabazi would carefully collect soil from her very own compound, symbolizing the life-giving qualities of the earth. With reverence, she blended this fertile soil with other carefully selected herbs from her calabash, forming a potent concoction infused with both the natural world and her spiritual intentions. As she held this amalgam in her hands, she would beseech Rurema, the Creator of the universe, to harness the richness of this soil and use it as a powerful instrument of healing. Her prayers, infused with unwavering faith, continued to flow, appealing for not only physical restoration but also vitality and strength. Mama Gatabazi asked Rurema to restore my health and grant me a future where I would once again move with the grace of a gazelle, play with the spirited energy of an Impala, and exude the boundless enthusiasm of a young calf.

With the culmination of this intricate ritual, Mama Gatabazi would gently return the herbs and the sacred stick, christened “Twayigize,” to the precise spot on her thatched house’s framework where she had retrieved it. This harmonious blend of herbal expertise and spiritual invocation typically spanned between 15 to 20 minutes, an awe-inspiring testament to her unique healing skills and prowess. While Mama Gatabazi occasionally embarked on these treatment procedures alone, her firstborn, Gatabazi, would sometimes lend a helping hand by going to the forest to collect the necessary herbs because she was getting older and in her 70s, and Gatabazi was the chosen son to take over from her with these healing powers and skills once she joined her ancestors. As the transformative process reached its conclusion, she would graciously instruct the boys who had brought me to her home to transport me back on the stretcher to my father’s house where I was supposed to wait until I am healed.

Even after returning home from Mama Gatabazi’s humble abode, her remarkable healing persisted. She continued her treatment virtually, using a simple stick from her thatched roof affectionately named “Twayigize” after my last name. With this symbolic connection, Mama Gatabazi skillfully applied her herbs while softly invoking my name, creating a comforting and soothing experience reminiscent of a gentle sunset massage. It was as though she was right beside me, just like that first magical encounter at her homestead.

The sensation was profound; I could feel her hands on me as vividly as on that initial day when I was brought to her. Her touch was inexplicably mystifying, as if invisible hands were gently tending to my injured places. She harnessed the power of the stick bearing my name to conduct these virtual sessions, allowing me to heal from the comfort of my own home. The timing mirrored the moments I spent at her homestead – typically in the evening, as most of my injuries occurred during afternoon football matches, with my friends carrying me to Mama Gatabazi’s house by early evening, around 4 or 5 pm. These virtual sessions were diligently repeated until my injured leg was completely healed, taking around two months for broken bones, and shorter for muscle injuries. Mama Gatabazi’s healing gift, whether in person or virtually, was nothing short of miraculous, leaving an everlasting impact on my life and heart.

Mama Gatabazi’s talents were nothing short of miraculous and deeply compassionate. Her reputation as a gifted healer extended far and wide, drawing the attention of individuals from distant regions who sought her extraordinary assistance. Her remarkable ability to transcend physical boundaries and provide healing from afar through her virtual treatments inspired awe and reverence among all who knew of her incredible gift. In addition to her prowess in musculoskeletal treatments, Mama Gatabazi was renowned for successfully addressing various breast diseases, including breast cancer—a feat that skeptics might find hard to believe given the absence of a cure in modern medicine. During her time, no mother from our community died of breast illnesses. Nonetheless, countless women, including my own mother, who once faced the terrifying prospect of losing her breast due to a disease that seemed incurable, sought Mama Gatabazi’s treatment and experienced miraculous recovery under her care.

The Ubuntu Philosophy

What truly set Mama Gatabazi apart was not just her remarkable healing abilities but also the extraordinary way she conducted herself with kindness and boundless humanity. She warmly welcomed people into her home, creating a haven of hope and solace for those in need. For those who journeyed from distant places like Nkuli, Ruhengeri town, or even as far as Nkumba, they knew that Mama Gatabazi’s popularity was well-deserved. Patients recognized that once they had seen her, they didn’t need to spend extended periods under her care; they were free to return to the comfort of their own homes, where they could continue their healing without carrying any of her concoctions or treatments. For those who couldn’t return home on the same day, Mama Gatabazi’s generosity knew no bounds. She graciously offered them shelter within her humble thatched African traditional home, never once charging a fee for her services. She held an unwavering belief that the healing power she possessed was a gift bestowed upon her freely, and there was no reason to withhold it from those who were suffering and desperately seeking relief. This steadfast commitment to the well-being of others exemplified the profound humanity that radiated from Mama Gatabazi.

Remarkably, Mama Gatabazi’s altruism radiated with a brilliant light, driven by an unwavering dedication rooted in her genuine desire to help others. After experiencing the transformative power of her healing, we, her grateful patients, upheld a cherished tradition of returning to Mama Gatabazi personally to express our heartfelt gratitude and confirm our newfound well-being. Our parents, well-acquainted with this custom, orchestrated the most heartfelt gifts as tokens of appreciation, which included staples like cereals, salt, traditional brew, honey, and other items they believed she might need, such as “Ikibiriti” (matchbox). At times, I witnessed my mother sending workers to till Mama Gatabazi’s land as a gesture of thanks. As I grew older, I too would visit her, offering to gather firewood or fetch water from the river to express my gratitude. This was how our community conveyed their appreciation – not through monetary compensation, but by giving practical gifts like beans, wheat, or sorghum, and by lending a helping hand on her farm.

This profound act of gratitude was deeply ingrained in the African Ubuntu Philosophy, a traditional concept cherished by Bantu communities across Africa. It champions the belief in the interconnectedness of humanity, advocating the idea that “I am because of who we all are,” or in Kinyarwanda, “Umuntu k’Umuntu.” Such a selfless and compassionate worldview embodied the harmonious coexistence and collective well-being of the community, reflecting the essence of Mama Gatabazi’s remarkable spirit (Khoza, 2012; Gade, 2012).

As I matured and received a more comprehensive education, my understanding of the world expanded, and I became aware of a dedicated day for honoring numerous African traditional healers, much like Mama Gatabazi. I also came to realize the stark contrast between the international recognition and respect given to certain traditional medicines, such as Chinese herbal remedies, while the rich African traditional medicine heritage had been largely suppressed and marginalized, notably by Western influences, making it challenging for our ancestors to pass down their knowledge to future generations. It was only later, when the world began to recognize that African traditional medicines served as the foundation for many modern medical practices, that the value of individuals like Mama Gatabazi was truly understood. Sadly, this acknowledgment came belatedly, long after many knowledgeable, efficient, and expert practitioners of African traditional medicine had already passed away without receiving the recognition they deserved.

This is why I take this opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individuals like Mama Gatabazi in preserving the well-being of our communities. Given the enduring significance of African Traditional Medicine and its pivotal role in enhancing health throughout the African continent, the consistent designation of August 31st as African Traditional Medicine Day by the WHO African Region over the past two decades holds profound importance. Mama Gatabazi, a cornerstone in the medical landscape of my community, played an irreplaceable role in the lives of countless individuals, including both myself and my mother, who experienced the transformative impact of her exceptional talents and skills. She personified the essence of “Ubumuntu,” or humanness, and her enduring legacy continues to inspire us (Mugumbate & Nyanguru, 2013). It is crucial for African governments to seize this occasion not only for celebration but also to roll up their sleeves and formulate and implement policies that will actively support African Traditional Medicines, acknowledging their vital role in the region’s healthcare.

Dr. William A. Twayigize

DR. WILLIAM