Traditional ecological knowledge and practices in Zimbabwe: medicinal ethnobotany and ethnozoology among communities in Chipinge district.

Background: Traditional medicine is integral to the culture of the Ndau ethnic group in Chipinge district, Zimbabwe. Traditional healers use a wide range of plant and animal products to treat various ailments, and there is need for documentation and sustainable practices to preserve these resources for future generations and pharmaceutical potential. This study was aimed at documenting the medicinal ethnobotanical and ethnozoological knowledge of traditional healers in Chipinge, identify the species used, and assess the role of traditional healing practices in supporting healers' livelihoods.

Methods: Between December 2018 and March 2019, data were collected from 22 traditional healers using semi-structured questionnaires focusing on medicinal species, their uses, harvesting or collection methods, and their socioeconomic impacts. Plant voucher specimens were identified at the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe (SRGH) in Harare, and identities of animal species were confirmed by participants through use of images in the Mammals of Southern Africa field guide. Informant consensus factor (ICF) and use reports (Nur) were calculated to assess agreement among healers.

Results: Majority of participants (73.0%) attributed their knowledge to ancestral callings, while 27.0% had received mentorship. A total of 63 plant species from 31 families were documented, with roots (38.0%) and bark (33.0%) being the most commonly used parts. Of the ten vertebrate species reported, nine were mammals and one was a reptile. Ninety-five percent of the healers reported the local unavailability of some medicinal plant species. For plant-based remedies, the highest ICF (0.67) was recorded for AIDS-related infections and ulcers, while STDs had the most use reports (87). For animal-based treatments, AIDS had the highest ICF (0.8), followed by STDs (0.6), which also had the most use reports (11). The high use of traditional remedies for STDs and AIDS may reflect issues of stigma, accessibility, and trust in conventional health care, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive health education and integrated care approaches. Monthly incomes ranged from US$150 to US$600, with most clients coming from low-income local communities.

Conclusion: This study highlights the rich ethnopharmacological knowledge in Chipinge while underscoring challenges such as overharvesting and socioeconomic vulnerability. Sustainable harvesting and formal recognition of healers through national bodies like the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) are essential steps toward integrating traditional medicine into modern health care and preserving this vital cultural heritage.