For the Igbo, the third largest ethnic group in South-Eastern Nigeria (The World Factbook - Population), folk medicine remains a crucial role of everyday life. Medicine is vital for maintaining good health, and for the Igbo, the Dibia holds a prominent position. A Dibia, also known as “diviner or “doctor magician”, cures and treats illnesses with assistance of folk medicine or rituals . As depicted in Igbo beliefs, a Dibia must be possessed with the spirit “Iru Awgu”, the “Awgu” is in correlation with the medicine spirit “Ogwu”(Okonkwo). If one is in poor health, their “Agwu” is off balance, meaning they are not fit to remain a Dibia. The two variations of Dibia are Herbalist and the Oracles and traditional healers (Okonkwo). Herbalist are
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Closely related with the culture of the people – folk medicine in Igbo society is consistent with their beliefs. Diverse folk medical traditions of the Igbo people are inseparable from the rest of their culture. Subsequently, they are likely to continue this medical practice as long as other cultural elements exist. Igbo favor folk medicine over modern for, Ease of Access – Folk medicine practitioners are easy to access at night and during the day. They live among the people. Affordable services – Their services are relatively cheap. They may also accept deterred payments or payments in kind or by barter system and trade.Shared system of beliefs exists between folk medicine practitioners and their patients.Failure of western remedies to address some health problems Creates strong loyalty to folk medicine. Finally, the main reason Igbo favor folk medicine is popularity of divine and demonic theories of disease causation. The understanding that certain disease are results of the anger of the gods or are due to demonic attacks by enemies and evil forces alike, provide further support to folk medicine even in this age.Traditional healers are seen as capable to communicate with the spirit world, offer acceptable sacrifices to appease offended spirits and or cast out
Closely related with the culture of the people – folk medicine in Igbo society is consistent with their beliefs. Diverse folk medical traditions of the Igbo people are inseparable from the rest of their culture. Subsequently, they are likely to continue this medical practice as long as other cultural elements exist. Igbo favor folk medicine over modern for, Ease of Access – Folk medicine practitioners are easy to access at night and during the day. They live among the people. Affordable services – Their services are relatively cheap. They may also accept deterred payments or payments in kind or by barter system and trade.Shared system of beliefs exists between folk medicine practitioners and their patients.Failure of western remedies to address some health problems Creates strong loyalty to folk medicine. Finally, the main reason Igbo favor folk medicine is popularity of divine and demonic theories of disease causation. The understanding that certain disease are results of the anger of the gods or are due to demonic attacks by enemies and evil forces alike, provide further support to folk medicine even in this age.Traditional healers are seen as capable to communicate with the spirit world, offer acceptable sacrifices to appease offended spirits and or cast out