Traditional Knowledge On Healing Of The Bodos: Significance And Role In The Society

Abstract

Traditional  knowledge   refers  to the  practice  of  inherited  body  of  customs  and  belief  that  has  been  transmitted  from  one generation  to  another,  throughout  the  ages.  The  traditional  healing  system  and  traditional  medicines  in  the  Bodo  society  are  deeply rooted  with  the  traditional  religion,  belief  system,  customs,  social  values  and  ecology  which  therefore  make  it  necessary  to  study  it  in a  historical  context.  The  healing  practice  includes  indigenous  methods  like  performing  rituals,  animal  sacrifices  and  certain characteristic  of  magico-ritual.  The healer in the Bodo community is referred as Oja.  They  perform  the  rituals,  chant  mantras  and provides  various  kinds  of  medicines,  amulets  etc.  The  paper  tends  to  discuss  the  origin  of  the  traditional  healing  system  among  the Bodos  and  highlight  its  relevance  in  the  society.  The  study  is  based  upon  the  extensive  field  studies  and  interviews. Attempts have been made to understand the concept of medicine and healer, globally, in order to study the origin of medicine and traditional healers.