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Initial Notes:HyperlinkResearch Mission Find out how the Samburu people traditionally use plants as medicine. Situation Report Samburu-Laikipia Region, Kenya—This East African nation is known for its teeming wildlife and inviting savannah landscapes, vast regions of sun-soaked earth and grass with mountains lounging on the horizon. The Samburu people have long used native plants for food, shelter, traditional medicines, dyes, oils, intoxicants, fuel, beverages, fibers, tools, religious purposes, and cash income. Far from modern medical facilities, maintaining traditional knowledge and managing the medicinal plant populations are crucial. Through this project, researchers will document the medicinal plants used by the Samburu people, the extent of use, the economic value of the species, and the extent of trade of medicinal plants. On the Expedition Working with Dr. Callistus Ogol, Dr. Paul Okemo, and Dr. Isaiah Ndiege, you will interview local community members to explore their use of medicinal plants, such as ailments treated, mode of harvesting, type of use, and frequency of use. You will also help identify and collect plants in the field, determine their abundance and distribution, and process them by tagging, pressing, and drying. You will help with questionnaire data entry, such as recording species and local names of medicinal plants sold in markets, ailments treated, relative volumes, source of medicines, pricing, the amounts sold and frequency of market visits by vendors. The information you collect will help build a database of knowledge and resource use, which will help local resource managers in planning for the sustainable use of medicinal plants. In addition to your daily glimpses of African wildlife, you will also go on wildlife drives in nearby reserves. Meals and Accommodations Your contribution includes a spectacular charter flight from Nairobi to the village of Wamba, where you will stay in shared rooms in a basic cottage in the scenic foothills of the Mathews Range. The cottage has electricity, indoor plumbing, hot showers and flush toilets, and a kitchen. An experienced cook will prepare meals for you to enjoy in the dining area, with a largely Western menu, from eggs and sausage for breakfast to roast chicken with rice for dinner. Rendezvous Nairobi, Kenya Back to Hyblaean's Journal homepage. |
