Masai Medicine Man Editorial Photo

Kenia: Masai medicine men with with an example of plants used against the deseases. The primary function of these medicine elders is the help sought may be for the sake of healing desease, sometimes it may be for the sake of healing the psyche, sometimes the goal is to promote harmony between human groups or between humans & nature. Indigenous medicine is generally transmitted orally through a community, family and individuals until collected. Within a given culture, elements of indigenous medicine knowledge may be diffusely known by many, or may be gathered and applied by those in a specific role of healer such as a shaman.