A case study on restoration of ethnomedicine and indigenous healthcare practices in Dakshin Majuli: preserving it’s cultural heritage and traditional knowledge

Abstract

Dakhin Majuli, a river island located within the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India, is characterized by rich indigenous cultural traditions and a long-standing ethnomedical knowledge system shaped through sustained interaction between local communities and their environment. This case study documents and analyses traditional medicinal plant use, healing practices, and associated cultural contexts in Dakhin Majuli, based on fieldwork conducted during 2022-2023. Data were collected through interviews and participant observation. Findings indicate that ethnomedicine in Dakhin Majuli was not solely therapeutic but was deeply embedded within ritual practices, religious beliefs, and social structures influenced by Neo-Vaishnavite Satra traditions. Knowledge transmission occurs predominantly through oral, familial pathways, particularly among women. The research highlights the importance of ethical, community-centered documentation and emphasizes the role of ethnomedicine as both cultural heritage and a component of sustainable biodiversity conservation.