Among its many cultural treasures, one of the most fascinating aspects of Bankura is the folk healing practices of the tribal communities. Despite the increasing reach of modern medicine, traditional healers continue to serve as key health providers in remote areas of Bankura, particularly among the Santhal, Bhumij, Munda, and Lodha tribes. In this article we will discuss about the spiritual, herbal, and ritual-based folk healing systems that form an essential part of Bankura’s tribal identity.
The Role of Folk Healers in Tribal Life of Bankura
Who Are the Traditional Healers?
In tribal communities, healing is not merely about curing diseases, it is about restoring balance between body, mind, spirit, and nature. The folk healer, often referred to as:
- Ojha (male healer or exorcist)
- Gunin (herbal healer or mystic)
- Baidya (village physician)
- Thaan Manjhi (spiritual leader in Santhal society)
Categories of Folk Healing Practices in Bankura
1. Herbal Medicine (Jadi-Buti Chikitsa)
Herbal medicine is one of the most commonly practiced forms of healing. Healers use locally available herbs, roots, leaves, bark, and minerals, many of which grow in the forests of Ranibandh, Jhilimili, Khatra, and Joypur.
Commonly used plants include:
- Tulsi (for colds and fever)
- Neem (for skin disorders and infections)
- Haritaki and Bahera (for digestion)
- Patal Garud (used in antidotes for snake bites)
- Kurchi bark (for dysentery and stomach ailments)
2. Ritual-Based Healing
This involves mantras, offerings, and symbolic acts to remove evil forces believed to cause illness. The healer uses items like vermillion, rice, holy water, animal bones, and red thread during the rituals. Often, the community gathers at the sacred grove or healer’s courtyard to witness and participate in the ritual. Ritual healing is performed in cases of:
- Sudden fever or unconsciousness
- Mental disturbance (believed to be spirit possession)
- Protection of newborns and pregnant women from malevolent spirits
3. Spirit Possession and Exorcism
Spirit-related illnesses are treated through chanting, drumming, dancing, and trance rituals. In cases believed to be caused by black magic or ancestral displeasure, the healer performs an exorcism, sometimes aided by a Deo-Dani (spirit medium). Exorcisms are intense, sometimes lasting all night, and are believed to cleanse the affected person of negative energies.
Common indicators of spirit possession include:
- Speaking in altered voices
- Physical trembling or convulsions
- Aversion to sacred items or rituals
Sacred Places and Healing Centers
The Role of Sarna and Than
Many rituals are conducted at Sarna (sacred groves) or Than (community worship platforms), where tribal deities and nature spirits are invoked for healing. These spots are protected forest patches with deep spiritual significance.
Healing Fairs and Seasonal Rituals
Some healing ceremonies coincide with tribal festivals such as:
- Baha Parab (flower festival)
- Karam (worship of the Karam tree)
- Magh Sim (a purification festival in winter)
Intergenerational Transmission of Knowledge
Traditional healing knowledge is passed down orally from one generation to the next. There is no written text, the forest is the book, and observation is the teacher. Young boys and girls who show interest are mentored by elder healers and taught:
- Plant identification
- Harvesting techniques
- Preparation of herbal mixtures
- Use of chants and ritual objects
Belief Systems Behind Healing
Illness as Imbalance or Punishment
In tribal belief, illness is not just biological—it can be caused by:
- Breach of taboo
- Ancestral curses
- Ghosts or evil spirits
- Natural imbalances between the body and the earth
Thus, healing is a social and spiritual event, involving not only the patient but also the community and environment.
Importance of Community Participation
Healing rituals often become communal events, strengthening social bonds. Neighbors contribute food, firewood, or musical support during major healing sessions. The community’s emotional energy is believed to enhance the healing process.
Challenges Facing Traditional Healers
1. Declining Forest Resources
Deforestation and shrinking green cover in Bankura have made it difficult for healers to find key medicinal plants. Many rare herbs are disappearing from the forests, disrupting traditional remedies and weakening age-old healing systems.
2. Marginalization and Stigma
Modern medical professionals and policymakers often dismiss traditional practices as superstition, making it hard for healers to gain recognition or support. This lack of validation leads to social marginalization, discourages knowledge transmission, and widens the healthcare gap in remote tribal areas where modern facilities are still limited or inaccessible.
3. Lack of Documentation
With most knowledge passed orally, there is a risk of complete loss if the current generation of healers passes away without passing on their knowledge.
Scope for Integration with Modern Healthcare
Government and NGO Initiatives
Some health programs in Bankura have begun to engage local healers for awareness on hygiene, maternal care, and nutrition. This respectful integration helps bridge the gap between modern medicine and folk practices.
Documentation and Research
Scholars, botanists, and anthropologists have a role to play in documenting the knowledge of these tribal healers, before it is lost forever.
Conclusion
The traditional folk healing practices of the tribal communities in Bankura are not mere relics of the past, they are living systems of health and spirituality that continue to serve rural populations in meaningful ways. Rooted in nature, belief, and community, these practices reflect a holistic approach to well-being that modern healthcare can learn from.