muti

Muti is a term used in Southern Africa to refer to traditional medicine and healing practices, especially among Bantu-speaking communities in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. The word derives from Zulu and Xhosa, where umuthi or muthi means medicine, remedy, or a plant-based cure.

Traditional healers, known as inyanga (herbalist) or sangoma (diviner), diagnose illness, offer guidance, and prescribe remedies. Treatments typically rely on locally gathered plants, minerals, and sometimes animal products, and may incorporate spiritual elements or ancestral communication. Remedies are prepared in various forms, including decoctions, infusions, powders, ointments, and tinctures, and are often paired with advice on lifestyle, diet, and social behavior. Healing often involves rituals, rituals, or ceremonies that are believed to restore balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Muti plays a significant role in many communities as part of broader health and social systems. It is frequently used in rural areas where access to formal healthcare is limited, and many people use muti alongside Western medicine. The practice also carries cultural meaning, contributing to identity, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and community cohesion.

Contemporary issues include questions of safety, efficacy, and regulation. Quality control and standardization are limited, and some remedies may interact with prescription drugs. Sustainability concerns arise from the harvesting of certain plants and the use of endangered species. Many governments seek to integrate traditional healers into public health strategies while addressing legal and ethical considerations, including patient safety and consumer protection.