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Ethnomedicine in Question: The Case of Tharu Healers and Healing Practices

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Ethnomedicine and Tribal Healing Practices in India

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Abstract

Ethnomedicine refers to indigenous healers' medicinal practices that rely on material and non-material components to prevent and treat illnesses. Indigenous healing works as an essential healthcare option for the indigenous population. Despite the advancement of biomedicine and expansion of healthcare services, indigenous people continue to consult indigenous healers for physical, psychosocial and emotional problems. However, there are concerns over the erosion of indigenous knowledge and a withered state of healing practices. Now, ethnomedicine is in question as there are suspicions or doubts over indigenous healing practices' usefulness, relevance and continuity. Based on the field data collected from the healers and patients of the Tharu ethnic community in Nepal, this paper discusses the change and continuity in healing practices. This paper examines how deeply embedded the healing practices are in the cultural traditions, how such traditions contribute to the continuation of healing practices and how supportive the state policies are in preventing the erosion of indigenous knowledge and healing practices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Anthropologist and Social Activist, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Bamdev Subedi

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  1. Bamdev Subedi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Science, Center of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Sunita Reddy

  2. School of Social Science, Center of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Nemthianngai Guite

  3. Kathmandu, Nepal

    Bamdev Subedi

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Subedi, B. (2023). Ethnomedicine in Question: The Case of Tharu Healers and Healing Practices. In: Reddy, S., Guite, N., Subedi, B. (eds) Ethnomedicine and Tribal Healing Practices in India. People, Cultures and Societies: Exploring and Documenting Diversities . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4286-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4286-0_13

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