Prohibitions and pollution at a medicinal plant nursery: customary implications associated with ethnobotanical reserves in conservative areas of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The establishment of ethnobotanical reserves or medicinal plant nurseries, dedicated to the growth of indigenous plants under natural conditions, has been seen by many conservationists as a necessary step towards protecting the rich biodiversity of southern Africa. However, the establishment of such reserves amongst conservative rural communities has had little success to date. In this paper I provide an outline of perceived obstacles encountered by conservative traditional healers in the acceptance of medicinal plant nurseries. Workers aiming to erect such nursereis in conservative areas must be particularly sensitive to gender issues as well as to traditional beliefs relating to fortune and misfortune. I argue that traditional belief systems need to be skilfully integrated with commercial practice in order to ensure the successful establishment of nurseries in these areas.

To cite this article: Prins, F. E. 1996. Prohibitions and pollution at a medicinal plant nursery: customary implications associated with ethnobotanical reserves in conservative areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Natal Museum Journal of Humanities 8: 81-93.