The last two years of the Covid 19 pandemic have raised awareness of medical pluralism. The importance of linking allopathy with other forms of healing practices and indigenous knowledge has been recognised. Indigenous knowledge related to healing practises is often referred to as alternative/secondary medicine in developed societies. However, for indigenous societies, their healing practices are the main primary system of medicine. These indigenous healing practices are found throughout indigenous societies around the world. A ‘psychic unity’ of these healing practices is that they are mainly based on the surrounding ecology, belief system and supernatural forces. They always remain an important part of the ‘little tradition’. The unilinear model of development followed in most countries has exposed indigenous people to modern allopathic systems of medicine. The Structural-Functional unity in both types of practices is both are based on symptomatic analysis and both aims at providing relief to patients. However, the method and material used to diagnose the etiological and causative factors in these two systems of medicine are far apart. Even the concept of illness, sickness, disease and health differs to a great extent. The treatment of ailments in indigenous healing practises is complex and includes organic and inorganic medicines, physio-mechanical interventions, psychosocial and ritual therapies.
With this in mind, this panel invites research and review articles that reflect the change and continuity of indigenous knowledge and healing practices.
