This study aimed at investigating the acquisition,
transfer and preservation of Indigenous Knowledge by
traditional healers in Chibombo District. The objectives of the
study were to explore how traditional healers acquired
Indigenous Medical Knowledge, identify the methods used
during IMK transfer, identify the methods which were used by
traditional healers to preserve IMK and to investigate the
challenges which were associated with acquisition, transfer and
preservation of medical knowledge. Using qualitative research
method and snowball sampling, primary data were collected
from 29 traditional healers and 5 key informants through faceto-
face interviews. Findings revealed that traditional healers
acquired knowledge of healing through training and ancestral
calling. The study also established that the majority of trained
healers were females as they were much more willing to be
trained than males. Findings on IK transfer revealed that
majority of traditional healers transferred IK on healing through
demonstration and observation. Findings on knowledge
preservation showed that majority of traditional healers were
training their family and other interested individuals. Results on
challenges during acquisition, transfer and preservation of IK
revealed that would-be healers experienced sickness, difficulties
in mastering what was demonstrated and observed, segregation
from their known communities and panicking when patients
showed no signs of recovering after administering the herbs to
them. The need for community leaders in Chibombo district to
consider educating the local youths during ceremonial gatherings
on the need to acquire and preserve indigenous practices was
recommended. This was seen as a way through which
unwillingness to learn and share would be reduced. Secondly, it
was recommended that collaborative efforts between communityleaders and traditional healers to document most of the
indigenous medicine and the ailments they healed be
strengthened.