A Study on Role and Status of Hajong Healers of Assam

Abstract Since time immemorial field of indigenous knowledge has provided devised ways to treat an ill health conditions. The term ‘healer’ describes a person who uses their extensive indigenous knowledge to treat the community. The present chapter comprises the administration of local knowledge by the healers of the Hajong community. Being geographically and culturally rich, the people of Barabhuyan village of Dhemaji district exhibit a tremendous array of traditional knowledge. Every society has a long history of the disease, whether it be a contagious or natural version, and as a result, different ethnic communities around the world frequently apply various forms of indigenous knowledge. The tribal societies of India, particularly the rural areas of North-east India, provide an intriguing scenario with the use of indigenous healthcare systems, and some of them living in adjacent urban areas have formed contacts with the allopathic systems of medicine that are encroaching on them.This is borne out through the present research work that the healer treated their patients whenever they are in need. They rendered their service in different parts of Assam and Meghalaya. They treat all kinds of diseases like the natural, supernatural as well reproductive problems of the society .The healers category found to be in both male and female category. The Hajong has a strong belief in traditional healers, which is reflected in the highest use of folk medicine in rural areas. People can access therapy in simple ways, and traditional healing systems are also less expensive. However, among the Hajong community healthcare providers are known as a healer (dao/kabiraj) who treats medicinal flora and faunal resources, shaman (ojha), who perform the healing practice associated with spiritual healing, and priests (adhikari) who perform the religious activities and provide a minimal amount of medical treatment. In addition, among the Hajong, traditional birth attendants (dhaimao) also provide some medical care.