Wombs, Waters, and Wort: Infertility, Ethnobotany, and Pharmacognosy Among Female Healers in Southwest Nigeria
Tolulope Esther Fadeyi, PhD
Volume 26, Number 1 (2026) 26 (1): 106-126
Keywords Yorùbá fertility, Indigenous knowledge, female healers, infertility, reproductive health, cultural practices
Abstract
Interest in Yorùbá fertility and childbearing practices arises from deeply embedded cultural values that prioritize reproduction as central to social identity and continuity. Building on the works of Thomas Bowen, Karin Barber, and Ade Dopamu, this study argues that fertility in Yorùbáland transcends biological function, representing a critical dimension of cultural survival. Drawing on oral histories and indigenous traditions, the paper examines conceptions of pregnancy, infertility, and reproductive health within Yorùbá society. It highlights how infertility is often attributed to spiritual or malevolent forces, necessitating the intervention of traditional medicine and female healers. These practitioners play a crucial role in addressing both physical and ontological barriers to conception, demonstrating resilience and specialized knowledge. The study further explores local medical systems and gendered experiences,
revealing Yorùbá maternity care as a holistic and culturally grounded practice. Ultimately, the analysis underscores the enduring relevance of indigenous knowledge in shaping reproductive health outcomes despite colonial and modern influences.
Tolulope Esther Fadeyi, PhD
Published June 5, 2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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