INDIGENOUS BELIEFS AND HEALING AMONG OPO COMMUNITY IN GAMBELLA, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract

The Opo refers to a small group of people living in Gambella Regional State. They are one of the least studied communities in Ethiopia. In this study, we aimed to present the community’s beliefs about health, and illness as well as their indigenous healing practices. We collected data from February to March 2020 through ethnographic fieldwork using observation, focus group discussion, and key informant interviews. The results of the study show that Opo conceptualizes health and healing its members based on its indigenous beliefs. Healers are engaged in healing practices using the pharmacopeia from the local environment. Moreover, healing in Opo has two layers: one is performed for the safety and well-being of their community while the other is to meet the needs of individual members. In general, the community’s understanding of health, illness, and healing is highly embedded in the socio-cultural and ecological context of the community and any intervention aimed at improving the health conditions of this community should take these contexts into account.