Medecine is one of the many forms of taking care for each other in human communities. The Bapedi tribe – also known as Pedi or Basotho and living in Limpopo, South Africa – practice ancestral customs, among which traditional medecine as well.

Bapedi traditional healers operate within their community and use medicaments mostly made of plant parts. These can be boiled, pounded, burned, macerated, steamed etc. Prepared medicines can be administered as a liquid or as smoke and can be swallowed, inhaled or injected. Bapedi traditional healers treat many healt-related problems such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, infertility, and much more.

Artist: Stanley Bell

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Open Past

Credit: Open Past & Stanly Bell

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