Úteros, aguas y hierbas: Infertilidad, etnobotánica y farmacognosia entre curanderas en el suroeste de Nigeria

Úteros, aguas y hierbas: Infertilidad, etnobotánica y farmacognosia entre curanderas en el suroeste de Nigeria

Tolulope Esther Fadeyi

Volume 26, Number 1 (2026) 26 (1): 106-126


Palabras clave fertilidad Yoruba, conocimiento indígena, curanderas, infertilidad, salud reproductiva, prácticas culturales

Resumen

El interés en las prácticas de fertilidad y maternidad de los Yoruba surge de valores culturales profundamente arraigados que priorizan la reproducción como elemento central de la identidad y la continuidad social. Basándose en los trabajos de Thomas Bowen, Karin Barber y Ade Dopamu, este estudio argumenta que la fertilidad en Yorubalandia trasciende la función biológica, representando una dimensión crítica para la supervivencia cultural. A partir de historias orales y tradiciones indígenas, este artículo examina las concepciones del embarazo, la infertilidad y la salud reproductiva en la sociedad Yoruba. Destaca cómo la infertilidad se atribuye a menudo a fuerzas espirituales o malévolas, lo que requiere la intervención de la medicina tradicional y las curanderas. Estas profesionales desempeñan un papel crucial al abordar las barreras físicas y ontológicas para la concepción, demostrando resiliencia y
conocimientos especializados. El estudio explora además los sistemas médicos locales y las experiencias de género, revelando la atención a la maternidad Yoruba como una práctica holística y con profundas raíces culturales. En definitiva, el análisis subraya la relevancia perdurable del conocimiento indígena en la configuración de los resultados de la salud reproductiva, a pesar de las influencias coloniales y modernas.

Autores/as

Tolulope Esther Fadeyi

Publicado junio 5, 2026

Cómo citar

Úteros, aguas y hierbas: Infertilidad, etnobotánica y farmacognosia entre curanderas en el suroeste de Nigeria. (2026). Fourth World Journal, 26(1), 106-126. https://doi.org/10.63428/4j75wg25

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