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Yoruba Traditional Medicine: History, Practices, and Modernization

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Yorùbá medicine, known as egbòogi, is one of the most enduring African systems of herbalism and healing. Practiced predominantly in West Africa and the Caribbean, it remains a vital aspect of Yoruba cultural identity and health care. Rooted in centuries of knowledge, spiritual practices, and natural remedies, Yoruba traditional medicine has evolved from ancient times into a practice that now coexists with modern medical systems.

Historical Development of Yoruba Medicine

The origins of Yoruba traditional medicine date back to the earliest settlements in Ile-Ife, regarded as the cultural and spiritual heart of the Yoruba nation. Traditional medicine formed part of the people’s daily lives, deeply connected with their worldview, religion, and social structure. Health was perceived holistically, involving the body, mind, and spirit, and illnesses were often explained not only in physical but also in spiritual terms.

As Yoruba communities expanded into cities such as Ibadan, Lagos, Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ilesha, Ado-Ekiti, Osogbo, Ogbomoso, Ilorin, and Ile-Ife, healers and practitioners became central figures in society. Beyond Nigeria, Yoruba medicine spread to Benin, Togo, Cuba, and the Caribbean, carried along by migration and the transatlantic slave trade.

Practices in Diagnosis and Treatment

Yoruba traditional medicine is a multifaceted system that combines herbalism, spiritual healing, divination, and natural therapies. A Traditional Medicine Practitioner (TMP) is recognized by their community as competent to provide healthcare through the use of plants, minerals, animal parts, and spiritual guidance.

Some of the key practices include:

Herbal Medicine: Preparation of remedies using roots, leaves, barks, and seeds.

Bone Setting: Indigenous techniques for fractures and dislocations.

Spiritual Therapies: Healing rituals involving prayers, sacrifices, and consultation with deities.

Maternity and Childcare: Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) overseeing pregnancy and childbirth.

Mental Health Care: Traditional psychiatrists and spiritualists diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions.

Other Therapies: Aromatherapy, massage therapy, music therapy, and ritual cleansing.

Specialization in Traditional Medicine

Yoruba medicine is not limited to general practice; it includes specialists who cater to specific health challenges:

Herbalists – focusing on plant-based remedies.

Bone Setters – skilled in handling fractures and dislocations.

Traditional Psychiatrists – managing mental and spiritual disturbances.

Traditional Paediatricians – caring for children’s health.

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) – assisting in childbirth.

Occult Practitioners – dealing with mystical and spiritual interventions.

The Role of Religion and Mysticism

Religious beliefs play a central role in Yoruba medicine. Illness is often linked to cosmic or spiritual imbalances, requiring not just physical treatment but also spiritual intervention. Divination systems like Ifá are used for diagnosis, guiding healers toward the cause and solution of an illness. Rituals, incantations, and sacrifices are common elements of healing, reflecting the deep interconnection between health and spirituality.

The Coming of Orthodox Medicine

The introduction of Western, or orthodox, medicine into Nigeria during the colonial period brought significant change. Missionary hospitals, such as the Sacred Heart Hospital in Abeokuta (established in 1885), offered new approaches to health care. This development challenged the dominance of traditional medicine but did not erase its influence. Instead, both systems began to coexist, with many Yoruba people seeking remedies from both traditional healers and modern doctors.

Modernization of Yoruba Medicine

Today, Yoruba traditional medicine is undergoing modernization and standardization. Efforts have been made to document herbal knowledge, regulate traditional practices, and promote safe usage of remedies. Herbal products are increasingly packaged, branded, and sold commercially across Nigeria and abroad.

The Nigerian government, through agencies like NIPRD (National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development), has emphasized the need to integrate traditional medicine into the national healthcare system. However, challenges remain in terms of standardization, dosage measurement, and scientific validation of herbal remedies.

The Way Forward

Yoruba medicine continues to thrive as a cultural heritage and healthcare system. For it to play a stronger role in modern society, government policies need to address:

Proper documentation of medicinal plants and practices.

Regulation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs).

Research into the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies.

Collaboration between orthodox medicine and traditional healers.

Yoruba traditional medicine is more than an alternative healing system—it is a cultural legacy that reflects the Yoruba worldview of health, spirituality, and community. Despite the rise of orthodox medicine, egbòogi remains relevant in Nigeria and beyond, serving millions who still rely on its holistic approach. The modernization and proper regulation of this system will not only preserve a valuable cultural heritage but also contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery in Africa.

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Lifestyle

Adekunle Gold embraces Nigerian roots with new album ‘Fuji’

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Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold returns to his roots on Friday with the release of his sixth album, “Fuji”, which he described as a tribute to the ancestral sounds of his home country.

“That sound is the soundtrack of Lagos. It’s everywhere. That sound gave birth to Afrobeats and all the things that we hear right now,” Gold told AFP in Paris.

A descendant of the Kosoko royal family, the Afropop icon draws inspiration from the Indigenous Yoruba community, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.

It is “one of the oldest sounds of Nigeria”, the 38-year-old singer said.

Fuji music, a popular genre that evolved from Yoruba Muslim culture, is known for its fast beats, large ensemble of percussion instruments, and lyrics based on key sociopolitical themes.

The genre took off in Nigeria in the 1960s, shortly after the country declared independence.

Late singer-songwriter Ayinde Barrister, widely regarded as the pioneer of Fuji music, named the style after the famous Japanese mountain.

Gold blends traditional elements from Nigeria’s rich musical heritage with the catchy melodies of contemporary R&B.

Like Burna Boy or Davido, he represents this generation of Nigerian artists who have bridged divides between past and present for an international audience.

“You listen to it, and it makes your body move. It’s magical,” the singer said.

“Fuji, Highlife (another traditional genre), every sound from Nigeria makes you feel alive. I feel like that’s why it does well,” he added.

Full of colourful outfits, lively dancing, and flower-covered boats, his “Party No Dey Stop” music video — a viral duet with fellow Nigerian Zinoleesky — has amassed 29 million views on YouTube.

The song is his first major hit in the United States.

Gold, also known as AG Baby, gained fame in Nigeria in 2014 after he covered a song by popular boy band One Direction.

Since then, he has signed with American label Def Jam Recordings and has collaborated on the track “Falling Up” with funk legend Nile Rodgers and musician Pharrell Williams.

Spreading culture

Gold invites listeners to delve deep into the latest album, an emotional journey inspired by significant events from his life.

“I talk about my grief when I lost my father. I talk about my love life, my daughter, about being a family man,” he explained.

While Gold lives in the United States, he said his “heart is in Lagos”.

“I’m spreading the culture, talking about my heritage, talking about tradition,” he said.

However, challenges persist in Nigeria, where nearly 60 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line

“There have been steps in the right direction,” Gold said as he expressed hope for the future of his country.

“It is not enough for the government to do everything,” he added, calling on people to “do what we can as citizens”.

Committed to the fight against sickle cell disease, which he has lived with his entire life, Gold launched a foundation this year to fund treatment and support local charities.

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Lara George: Nigerian Gospel Icon with a Global Voice

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Lara George is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and producer whose powerful voice and timeless songs have made her one of the most respected figures in African gospel music. Based in the United States, she continues to influence gospel music worldwide through her artistry, leadership, and devotion to worship.

Early Life and Education

Lara George was born into a music-loving family in Lagos State, Nigeria. Her passion for singing was evident from an early age, and she nurtured her talent while growing up in Lagos. She later studied Architecture at the University of Lagos, where she also began to actively pursue her passion for gospel music.

Musical Career and Breakthrough

George rose to prominence as a member of the inspirational music group Kush, active in the early 2000s. The group, made up of gospel-influenced young artists, became popular for its innovative fusion of gospel, hip hop, and contemporary African sounds. Though the group disbanded, it laid the foundation for George’s successful solo career.

Her debut solo album, Forever in My Heart (2008), included the breakout hit “Ijoba Orun.” The song quickly became a gospel anthem in Nigeria, sung in churches and concerts across Africa and beyond. Its success established Lara George as one of the leading gospel voices of her generation.

Following this, she released other notable projects, including Higher (2012), Love Nwantintin (2014), and The Best of Lara George (2017), showcasing her versatility and consistency as a gospel artist.

Achievements and Recognition

Over the years, Lara George has earned numerous accolades. She won Best Female Gospel Artiste at the 2012 Africa Gospel Music Awards, among other honors.

Beyond her music, George has contributed to the industry through leadership. She serves as the Vice President of SoForte Entertainment Distribution Ltd., a pioneering Nigerian company focused on strengthening music distribution across Africa.

In 2021, her global impact was further recognized when she was invited to join the Recording Academy (organizers of the Grammy Awards) as a Voting Member, affirming her status as an international gospel voice.

Personal Life

Lara George is married to Gbenga George, an accomplished legal practitioner. Together they have two children. The family resides in Alpharetta, Georgia, United States, where George balances her family life with her music career and industry work.

Legacy and Influence

Lara George’s music blends heartfelt worship with contemporary gospel sounds, inspiring believers and non-believers alike. Songs like Ijoba Orun remain evergreen classics, while her career continues to highlight the global reach of Nigerian gospel music.

Through her voice, leadership, and consistency, Lara George has left an indelible mark on gospel music, both in Nigeria and internationally.

Sources

Vanguard Nigeria – Lara George: Life as a Gospel Singer (2018)

Africa Gospel Music Awards – Winners List 2012

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The 1973 Nigerian “Hides and Skins” Postage Stamp: A Window into Economic Identity

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In 1973, Nigeria introduced a new definitive postage stamp series to reflect the country’s transition from the British sterling system to the Naira and Kobo currency. Known as the Industry and National Pride issue, or simply the 1973–1986 Definitive Issue, the series highlighted major sectors that shaped Nigeria’s economy and cultural identity in the post-independence period.

Among the most notable designs in the set was the 1 kobo “Hides and Skins” stamp, which depicted the trade in animal hides and skins. This was not a casual choice. For decades, hides and skins were one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural exports, particularly from the northern region, and they played a major role in the nation’s foreign exchange earnings during the 1960s and 1970s. By placing this industry on a definitive stamp, Nigeria emphasized its economic significance while also projecting a sense of national pride rooted in traditional livelihoods.

The Role of Definitive Stamps

Unlike commemorative stamps, which are printed for specific events or anniversaries, definitive stamps are produced for everyday postal use and often remain in circulation for many years. The “Hides and Skins” stamp, therefore, went beyond a symbolic tribute. It became a practical emblem of Nigerian economic identity, traveling across the country and abroad through the nation’s postal system.

Artistic Contributions

The 1973 series included designs created by Nigerian artists such as Austin Onwudimegwu and Erhabor Emokpae, both of whom contributed to different denominations in the set. While collectors and catalogues acknowledge their involvement in the issue, attribution for specific denominations, including the “Hides and Skins” design, is not always clearly documented. What remains clear, however, is that the series as a whole reflected a conscious effort to use Nigerian artistic talent to celebrate national industry.

A Stamp as History

To philatelists and historians, the “Hides and Skins” stamp is more than just a piece of postal paper. It embodies a snapshot of Nigeria’s economic priorities at a time when agriculture, rather than oil, still dominated the country’s exports. It also reflects the broader post-independence aspiration to craft a distinctly Nigerian visual identity in official symbols.

Today, this stamp is valued not only for its function and design but also for its historical resonance. It offers collectors and researchers a window into how a young nation sought to represent itself to the world—through industry, culture, and pride.

Sources

Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue: Commonwealth and British Empire Stamps (West Africa listings).

Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Nigeria 1973–1986 definitive issues)

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