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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Reviving Traditional Healing: The Ethno-Medicinal Practices of the Kandha Community in Odisha

presenters

    FARSANA KP

    Nationality: India

    Residence: Kerala

    KALINGA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

    Presence:Online

Keywords:

Ethno-Medicine, Healing Practices, Kandha tribes, Odisha

Abstract:

Traditional healing practices among tribal communities are deeply rooted in nature, forming an integral part of their everyday lives intertwined with the ecosystem and their close connection to the forests. This invaluable knowledge, transmitted through oral traditions and extensive apprenticeships under experienced healers, is a lifeline for rural and marginalized segments of society. Passed down through generations, it embodies a profound understanding of local flora and fauna, offering a dual benefit: it provides essential healthcare where modern options are inaccessible or unaffordable, while also fostering a strong sense of community reliance on these healers for primary healthcare needs. The wisdom of traditional and folk practices ensures the preservation and conservation of biodiversity, safeguarding it for the well-being of future generations. This paper is based on an empirical study on the local health traditions of Kandha tribes of Odisha. They discussed the challenges encountered and offered recommendations for supporting and revitalizing traditional healing practices. While the importance of local health traditions (LHTs) and herbal healing is recognized by organizations like WHO and AYUSH, ongoing efforts to document healers' practices have not fully translated into broader benefits such as enriching the traditional knowledge base and effectively reviving, supporting, and sustaining these practices for the well-being of local communities. The paper recommends proactive measures to formally recognize herbal healers through certification, offering incentives and robust support systems to enable them to continue their healing services for the betterment of marginalized communities.