the Master of Snakes

Luhumyo Maurice of the herpetology laboratory at the Lwiro Natural Science Research Center is known as the Master of Snakes. Employed since 1967 as a laboratory technician, he is the reference for traditional knowledge on venomous snakes and anti-venom medicinal plants in Mountainous Kivu.
His expertise is particularly sought after when capturing live snake specimens in their natural habitat, especially boas, vipers, and many other highly venomous local species.

Many scientific publications about Kivu snakes are based in part on his technical involvement. Unfortunately, it is rare for a laboratory technician to be recognized as an author or co-author of scientific publications due to national and international scientific regulations. Nevertheless, his contribution to the advancement of science and traditional medicine within this internationally renowned institution is immeasurable and deserves to be rightly appreciated.

Despite his contribution to science and the development of traditional and modern medicine, Maurice Luhumyo lives a sober life. He wishes that his children, who have gained a long experience at his side, be recruited by the institution to ensure the continuity and transfer of knowledge on anti-venom plants of which he holds the monopoly in the Kivu-Montane region. Indeed, the Master of Snakes deplores the fact that to date, there is no trained successor to succeed him.
Twice a day, Mr. Luhumyo is present in the herpetology department and in the cages for the conservation of snakes such as Bitis gabonica vipers to feed them.

He dreams of an international publication acknowledging his expertise of an anti venom medicine that could replace the famous Black Stone, until now commonly used in case of snake bite. Among the medicinal species, some are domesticated at the Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu, such as Maesa lanceolata (Mparhi in Mashi).