Ignacio
Well-known member
Hello everyone,
I recently read an article in Africa Geographic magazine about the use of animal parts in traditional African medecine, and it reminded me of a trip I took to Togo in 1991. I visited a Voodoo market in the outskirts of the capital, Lomé, where hundreds of parts from almost any imaginable species of wild animal were publicly displayed for sale.
It is a trade deeply embedded in West African tradition, and must be extremely difficult to eradicate or even control. I don't know to what extent the situation may have changed since then, but that article suggests that things are probably the same nowadays, if not worse.
Judging by the amount of animals on display, and the range of species (from hornbills to chimpanzees, reptiles, antelopes, you name it) the trade might be similar to bush meat as a menace to African wildlife.
You can see photos (warning: not for the squeamish) and notes on that market at my web: http://www.iyufera.com/tr8-misc/tr-misc01.htm
Does anyone have any recent info on this?
regards,
Ignacio Yufera
www.iyufera.com
I recently read an article in Africa Geographic magazine about the use of animal parts in traditional African medecine, and it reminded me of a trip I took to Togo in 1991. I visited a Voodoo market in the outskirts of the capital, Lomé, where hundreds of parts from almost any imaginable species of wild animal were publicly displayed for sale.
It is a trade deeply embedded in West African tradition, and must be extremely difficult to eradicate or even control. I don't know to what extent the situation may have changed since then, but that article suggests that things are probably the same nowadays, if not worse.
Judging by the amount of animals on display, and the range of species (from hornbills to chimpanzees, reptiles, antelopes, you name it) the trade might be similar to bush meat as a menace to African wildlife.
You can see photos (warning: not for the squeamish) and notes on that market at my web: http://www.iyufera.com/tr8-misc/tr-misc01.htm
Does anyone have any recent info on this?
regards,
Ignacio Yufera
www.iyufera.com
