Nongpoh May 03: A gathering of more than 150 Khasi Local Herbalist, Traditional Birth Attendants, Massage Therapist, Bone Specialist, Spiritual Healers, including weavers, attended a meeting convened by Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practice (SPIKAP), on 2nd May 2013, at 11 Am, at Diwon Village Dorbar, Umden Area, Raid Nongtluh, Hima Mylliem, Ri-Bhoi District.
The meeting started with a welcome speech by Shri. Wos Laloo, Rangbah Shnong, Diwon Village Dorbar, who welcomed Chief Guest Dr DD Lapang, MLA & Chief Adviser to Government of Meghalaya, Bah John F Kharshiing, SPIKAP Chairman Laborius Syiem, former Syiem Hima Mylliem, and all those present and who had come to participate in the first such awareness under the area.
The three hour awareness program was conducted by Bah John F Kharshiing, SPIKAP Chairman who welcomed all the participants and after an interactive session applauded the healers especially the village birth attendants for their noble work and for complimenting Health Care Services in the Umden Area, under Ri-Bhoi District, and appealed to all to start the documentation process for their own benefit He encouraged the large number of men and women actively involved in such a vital health support system.
During the meeting Bah John Kharshiing, Chairman, SPIKAP, thanked Chief Guest, Dr DD Lapang, MLA & Chief Adviser to Government of Meghalaya, for his valuable presence, and expressed his appreciation to the State Government and the KHADC for passing the Traditional Medicine Act, and explained at length on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine ) Act 2011, already passed by the KHADC, and which has been accorded approval from the District Council Affairs Department, Health, Family Department, Law Department of the Govt of Meghalaya, including assent from the Governor.
He informed that they are now awaiting the framing of the Rules by the KHADC for the said traditional healers of the State.
The Chairman, SPIKAP, sought the support of the healers and traditional health care providers towards the realization of the KHADC Khasi Traditional Medicine Act 2011, and urged them to meet and sensitize the political leaders such as their local Rangbah Shnong, Syiems, MLAs and MDCs to work in unison so as to ensure long over due recognition to the people who have complimented Health Care in remote corners of the State.
He informed the gathering that SPIKAP is in the process of documentation and mapping of Local Health Traditions in Meghalaya, however, including Prioritisation, identification and mapping of medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine systems of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes of Meghalaya.
On being asked by the Chairman, SPIKAP as to the present availability of herbs, in the area, a large number of them complained about the severe shortage of herbs due to population increase, human activities from mining and forest activities, and due to the unchecked wanton burning of hills and forest fires in the jungles during winter. They also stated that the pollution in the waters from industries was also threatening and endangering a number of crucial herbal plants as they used to be found in abundance on the banks of the streams, ridges and rivulets.
The Weavers also informed that they too expressed serious concerns as to the shortage as they depended on a particular herbal plant as dyes for colouring their finished product.
The Folk Healers expressed their appreciation and happiness for such an awareness program which encouraged their traditional knowledge.
Bah John Kharshiing, stated that the State Government with the passing of the KHADC Act will have multiple impacts such as improving the economic livelihood of the people, including activating Local Herbal Health tourism and others in the State.
A copy of the KHADC Act 2011, was presented to Dr DD Lapang, MLA and Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, who in his speech, appreciated the efforts of SPIKAP, and stated that Ri-Bhoi was famous for its traditional herbal richness and that it also produced many prominent healers, birth attendants, bone setters, and weavers, however they needed to come forward prepare themselves for the changing times, and to cooperate with the Government and the KHADC so that this valuable traditional system will not be lost.
He stated that the KHADC Act 2011 would pave the way for their formal recognition under the KHADC. However, there had to be proper screening to filter out the fake individuals who sometimes bring a bad name to the traditional practice, he also appreciated the healers as they normally charged a very nominal fee and in most cases they would say ‘ai katba phi sngew mon’ give what ever you want to give.
He urged the members of SPIKAP, to continue the good work and to encourage the healers to combine scientific knowledge with traditional Knowledge for the benefit of the people who are seeking remedies for their various ailments.
The Chief Guest stated that it is to be properly analysed by everybody including the Government, as to why there are so many foreigners all the way from Germany, France, UK, Australia and from all over India who come all the way to Shillong, Meghalaya looking for health options from traditional system of medicine.
He called on the healers to come forward, prepare themselves, so that the people looking for alternative health systems can also come to Ri-Bhoi District in view of its wealth of traditional knowledge and practice. He offered all help to the Folk Healers in the promotion of this very important activity in and promised to take up the matter of the healers, birth attendants and the weavers with the State Government of Meghalaya.
The local traditional health care providers unanimously agreed to convene again and to constitute a branch of SPIKAP, for Umden Area , Ri -Bhoi District.
Among those who were present and who spoke were Laborious Syiem, former Syiem of Hima Mylliem, the Longsan of Raid Nongtluh, Rangbah Shnong and Elders of the Village.(SP News)
