This book examines various aspects of ethnomedicine and tribal healing practices, including its importance for inclusion and integration from a health systems perspective. Tribal healing practices is an under-studied component in healthcare system, health policy and health systems research. The book consists of original research papers based on empirical studies done by anthropologists, sociologists, public health practitioners and research scientists in various parts of India. It discusses issues of non-codified folk healing, with a focus on the therapeutic ideas and practices of tribal communities, located in anthropological theory and methods. It has a balance of empirical papers, review and theoretical papers, not only explaining ‘what is inside the healing practices’ but also touching upon the question of ‘why’ and delving into ‘what should be’ looking into the possibility to apply it for a larger good i.e., health care for all. This book discusses several important issues related to legitimacy, evidence and efficacy, recognition, certification and integration, protection and preservation, bio-piracy and bioprospecting, benefit sharing and intellectual property rights, sustainable use of medicinal herbs and conservation of nature and natural resources, biodiversity and possibilities of mainstreaming tribal healing. It is of interest to students and researchers from medical anthropology, medical sociology, cultural geography, liberal studies, tribal studies, ecology, sustainability and development and public health.
Author(s): Sunita Reddy, Nemthianngai Guite, Bamdev Subedi
Series: People, Cultures and Societies: Exploring and Documenting Diversities
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 370
City: Singapore
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
Editors and Contributors
1 Introduction: Ethnomedicine and Tribal Healing Practices in India: Challenges and Possibilities of Recognition and Integration
Background
Indigenous Tribal People
South Asian Medical Traditions
Importance of Indigenous Healers and Healing Practices
Erosion of Indigenous Health Knowledge
IPR, Biopiracy and International Instrument
Challenges and Possibility of Recognition and Integration
Integration of Traditional Medicine in the National Health System
Initiatives to Recognise Indigenous Traditions and Their Revitalisation in India
Organisation of the Volume
Concluding Remarks
References
Part I Historical and Critical Perspectives to Understand Ethnomedicine and Healing Practices Among the Tribes
2 Practice and Praxis: A Critical Look at Medical Anthropology in India
Researches and Teaching in India
Development Agenda of Medical Anthropology
Applied Anthropology
Medical Hegemony
Indigenous Systems of Medicines
Indian Medial Anthropology Versus World Medical Anthropology
Agenda for Indian Medical Anthropology
Conclusion
References
3 Ethnomedicine as Public Health
Introduction
Ethnomedicine as People’s Sector
Rural Development and Health Care
AYUSH in Public Sector
Ethnomedicine and AYUSH Field Studies
Geographical Area and Population Selection
AYUSH Rajasthan Study by SEDEM
Strengthening of People’s Sector: Ethnomedicine as Public Health
Conclusion
References
4 Biological Diversity Act 2002, an Implementation Challenges in India: An Experience Sharing from Sikkim
Introduction
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Salient Features of BD Act 2002
Institutional Framework
Exemptions Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Penal Provisions Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Sikkim State Biodiversity Board
Biological Diversity Act 2002: Implementation Challenges in Sikkim
Constitution of Biodiversity Management Committee
Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Register
Issues Pertaining to Jurisdiction
State Policy, Biological Diversity Act 2002 and the Conflict of Interest
Conclusion
References
5 Chronicles of Exploitation: Practice and Practitioners of Ethnomedicine in Quagmire of Market Dynamics of Pharmacopoeia
Tyrannies of Validation and Documentation
Chronicle of Events
Why Did It Happen?
Paradoxes of Patenting Intangible Cultures
Finding Answers in Theoretical Realignments
Feasible Interventions
References
6 Indigenous Healing Practices in the Himalayas: Use of Medicinal Plants and Health Development in Nepal
Introduction
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Nepal Himalaya
Trading Routes and Channels
Actors Involved in Yarsagumba Trading
The Collectors
Village-Level Brokers
District-Level Brokers
National-Level Brokers
Government Regulations
Role of State to Promote Indigenous Healing and Medicinal Plant Resources
Policy Options
Conclusion
References
Part II Healing Practices Among Various Tribes
7 Folk Healing Practices of the North-East States
Introduction
Arunachal Pradesh
Process of Healing
Result of the Sub-District-Level Survey
Assam
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
Lepcha Medicinal Practice
Bhutia Medicinal Practice
Nepali Medicinal Practice
Examples of Folk Medicine Practitioners in Sikkim
Tripura
Conclusion and Recommendations
References
8 Understanding Aetiology of Diseases: Special Reference to Lepcha Communities of Dzongu, Sikkim
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Study Area
Indian Healthcare System
Traditional Healing Practices of Lepcha Community
Theoretical Concept of Illness Causation
Perception, Beliefs and the Local Health Practices
Community Perception on Natural Causes of Illness
Conclusion
References
9 Language and Traditional Healing Practice: A Study of Limbu Community
Introduction
Limbu: Their History, Culture and Language
Traditional Healing Practice Among the Limbu
Unification of Nepal
Nepali Bhasa Andolan in India
Situation of Limbu Language and Their Healing Practice
Conclusion
References
10 The Nongai Dawai Khasi Healers of Meghalaya—A Tribal Understanding of the Human Potential
Method
Results
How Do They Become Healers? Ancestry
Sap, Talent
The Community and the Healer
Experimenting, Empiricism, and Experience
Elements Contributing to the Making of a Healer
Discussion
References
11 Amchi System in Ladakh: Challenges in the New World
Introduction
History
Disease for Amchi
Being Amchi in Ladakh
The Practice
Phase of Turbulence
Challenges and Concern
Conclusion
References
12 Health Care Systems Among Broq-pa Tribe
Introduction
Alternative Healing Practices: Changed Scenario
Research Methodology
The Three Sectors of Health Care
Use of Home Remedies
Medical Facilities Available Among the Broq-pa
Utilisation of Health Centres
Amchi System of Medicine
Declining Traditional System of Medicine
Lhabanism Healing Practice in Ladakh
Methods of Treatment of Lhaba and Lhamo
Onpo (Astrologer) and Monk
Performance of Rituals to Cure Illnesses
Discussion and Conclusion
Appendix: Case Studies
Respondents from the Community
Medical Practitioners
Reasons for Acceptance or Rejection of Modern Medical System
The Case of Amchis
References
13 Ethnomedicine in Question: The Case of Tharu Healers and Healing Practices
Introduction
Tharu and Context of Ethnomedicine
Methods
Types of Healers and Healing Practices
Types of Patients and Their Problems
Erosion of Ethnomedicinal Practices
Importance and Strengths of Ethnomedicine
Change and Continuity of Healing Practices
Healing as Customary Practice
Lack of Policy Interventions
Conclusion
References
14 Ethics, Morality and Healing: A Bhil Perspective
Introduction
Context
Material and Methods
Health Seeking
Traditional Healers and Healing Systems in Ghodan Kalan
Jaankaars—Herbalists and Bite Healers
Jhada Specialists
Dai
Bhopa
Aspects of Dharmi and Adharmi for Other Healers
Truth
Following Niyam
Not Accepting/Demanding Money/Fees
For Allopathic Practitioners
Vishwas
Discussion
References
Part III Revitalization and Integration of Tribal Medicine/Local Health Traditions and Intellectual Property Rights
15 Systematic Documentation and Drug Development from Local Health Traditions (LHTs) and Ethnomedical Practices (EMPs): Challenges and Way Forward
Introduction
Need for Effective Documentation
Challenges in Documentation of LHTs
Systematic Documentation and Validation Studies by CCRAS
Protection of the Biodiversity While Documentation of LHTs and EMPs
Way Forward
National Networking for Documentation of LHTs and EMPs (NNDL)
Conclusion
References
16 Climate Change and Protection of Traditional Ethnomedical Knowledge in India: A Critical Socio-Legal Reappraisal
Introduction
Indigenous Culture, Ethnomedicine and Climate Change
The Indian Legal Framework for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge
Alternate Model for Protecting Indigenous Ethnomedical Traditional Knowledge
Conclusion
References
17 Intellectual Property Rights in Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge: A Case of ‘Saikot Cancer Medicine’ in Manipur
Introduction
Spheres of Indigenous Knowledge
Conflict Over Indigenous Knowledge
A Case of Saikot Cancer Medicine in Manipur
The Cancer Healer
The Saikot Phenomena
People’s Account of Being Treated
Saikot Undergoes Miracle Change
Cautionary Notes from Officials
Identity of ‘Damdei Plant’, the Saikot Cancer Medicine
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Issues
Conclusion
References
18 Strengthening Capacity of Tribal Communities to Revitalise Tribal Medicine Through Research, Education and Outreach
Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Participatory Action Research, Education and Outreach Interventions for Prevention of Malaria
Traditional Community Healthcare Practices
Ethnobotanical Study in Odisha
Pre-clinical Study
Field Study TPMP74
Conclusion
References
19 Empowering Traditional Healers Using Modern Quality Management Tools
Introduction
Modern Quality Management Tool and International Standards
Status of TCHPs in India and Pilot Project
National Scheme for Certification of TCHP
Progress Made Since the Launch of the Scheme in March 2017
Conclusion
References
20 Local Health Traditions and Preservation of National Heritage: Emphasis on Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Benefit Sharing and Mainstreaming
Introduction
Protection of the Traditional Medicinal Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights of Customary Knowledge Holder/Traditional Healer
Developing an Effective Model for Benefit Sharing
Developing Sui Generis System for Protection of TK
Distinctive Signs (Geographical Indications, Certification Marks)
Suggested Approach for Protection of TK
Mainstreaming of Local Health Traditions
Suggested Approaches for Mainstreaming of LHTs in India
Conclusion
References
21 An Expanded Health Systems Perspective on Tribal Health Knowledge and Practices: Contemporary Relevance and Challenges
The Context of Healthcare Policy for Adivasis/Tribal Populations in India
The Contemporary Dominant Health Systems Perspective
National and International Development of Formal Institutional Responses to Tribal Health Knowledge in the Twenty-First Century
The Report of the Expert Committee on Tribal Health, 2018: An Excellent Product of Contemporary Health Systems Thinking
The WIPO IGC Debate
A Holistic Health Systems Approach
Relevance of Tribal Medicine in a Systemic Frame
Relevance for the Tribal Communities
Relevance as Base Knowledge for the Development of Modern Pharmacology and Pharmaceuticals
Relevance as Base Knowledge for the Development of Codified Traditional Knowledge
Ethical Principles for Health Systems Development: The Democratic Structure of Knowledge Generation
Relationship with Nature and the Ethics of Collection of Medicinal Plants for Sustainable Development
Integrating Tribal Medicine into Contemporary Health Systems Development
Creating an Integral System for Tribal Health Knowledge
Conclusion
References
22 Revival of Local Health Traditions from Healers Perspectives: Urgency of Recognition and State Support
Importance of Traditional Medicine
Ethnic Groups and Diversity of Medicinal Plants
Sustainable and Equitable Health Care
Introduction to the North East: Diversity in Flora, Fauna, and Tribal Populations
Oral Traditions, Practices and Challenges of Herbal Healers
The Isolated and Disintegrated Healers’ Association in Manipur
Recognition of Folk Healers and Traditional Healthcare Providers
The Making and Unmaking of NEIAFMR
Issues of IPR, Training and Mistrust
Recommendations to Revive Folk Healing Systems
References
