Igbo and Western Cultural Contact: Trado-Medical Implications in Nguru Mbaise

Abstract

The interplay between Igbo and Western cultures has led to significant transformations in various facets of life, particularly in the realm of healthcare. The crux of the matter herein explores the Trado-medical implications of this cultural contact, focusing on the resultant hybrid medical practices in Nguru Mbaise. The Igbo people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, have a rich tradition of herbal medicine and holistic healing practices that have been transmitted through generations. These traditional medical practices are deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Igbo community which proffered permanent solutions to the ailment of any kind. But the advent of Western influence, particularly during and after the colonial era, Western medical practices was introduced, leading to a complex interplay between the two systems. This contact has resulted in a dual healthcare system where the co-existence of traditional and Western medical practices present traditional medicine to be of lesser efficacy, such notion this article intends to correct.