UNESCO Traditional knowledge

Traditional knowledge 

Traditional practices are based on a holistic approach to the human being within the wider

environment, and this is also reflected in the ty

pe of knowledge to which they refer, the debate

surrounding their origins, their usage patterns and transmission modes. Traditional medical

knowledge and its application can be highly codified and systematized, sometimes even

institutionalized, with the result that it is transmitted by public medical institutions or jointly by

health institutions and families or specialist lineages. In some countries, traditional medical

knowledge remains localized and its dissemination is limited, thus conserving an informal aspect

that accrues from the accumulated experience of a particular lineage of healers. It is often kept

secret, being mainly transmitted orally, as pointed out above. It can also combine natural and

supernatural resources, and be deemed to be acquired at birth or through a gift or special

revelation to certain initiates.

In some developing countries, between 60% and 90% of the population use traditional medicine for

primary health care (WHO, 2002a). In most cases, th

is is either because they have no alternative,

since other, generally more expensive types of treat

ment are not readily available; or because of

cultural traditions. If people in developing countries are

turning to this type of medicine, it is mainly

because it is near at hand, readily available, affordable and compatible with the traditional culture

or ethnic group.