Seminar & Publication Details
- Seminar Title: UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Child Health in India with Special Reference to North-East India
- Organized By: Department of Anthropology (On Completing 50 Years of the Department, 1962-2015), DHSK College, Dibrugarh – 786001, Assam
- In Collaboration With: Bal Sakha Assam
- Date: 2nd and 3rd May, 2015
- Publication Source: Souvenir-cum-Abstract, Page 45
Paper Specifications
- Title: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND TRADITIONAL HEALING SYSTEM: A STUDY AMONG THE KAIBARTAS OF ASSAM
- Authors: Jyoti Hazarika & Sarthak Sengupta
- Affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University
- E-mail: jyotihazarika1989@gmail.com
- Study Area: Bordoloni Block of Dhemaji District, Assam
Abstract
The present investigation has been carried out to know about the concept of reproductive health and some related ailments as well as the traditional healing system that exist among the Kaibarta population of Bordoloni Block of Dhemaji District, Assam.
The data was collected from 120 married Kaibarta women aged between 16 to 50 years and the information about ethno-medicine that are in use during their reproductive health problems was collected from eight aged persons having deep knowledge about it. The information was gathered through personal interviews.
The study reveals that the rural Kaibarta women under study are not conscious about their reproductive health. They don’t want to discuss their problem to others even to their husband. It has been observed that most of the village women suffering from various types of reproductive health problems for a prolonged period of time without any treatment.
The traditional use of various types of medicinal plants to treat different sort of diseases related to reproductive health reveals that the rural Kaibarta female are well versed with the traditional medicine. About fifteen different types of medicinal plants are in use traditionally by the village people for the reproductive ailments such as white discharge, vaginal itching, inflammation and vaginal pain, over bleeding and pain in lower abdomen during menstruation, irregular cycle, infertility, sterilization, inadequate breast feeding etc. In the present study, the scientific and local names of the collected plants along with the parts used, method of preparation and its doses are discussed in detail.
- Keywords: Reproductive Health; Traditional Healing System; Ethno Medicine; Kaibarta; Assam.
Core Findings For Your Reference:
- Sample Size: 120 married Kaibarta women (16–50 years) and 8 traditional village healers/knowledgeable elders.
- Key Issue: Severe lack of awareness and cultural hesitation. Women do not share reproductive ailments even with their husbands, leading to prolonged untreated illnesses.
- Ethno-botanical Data: The study details exactly 15 distinct medicinal plants traditionally used in Bordoloni Block for treating gynecological conditions like leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, lactation issues, and infertility.
