By: SOVAN CHAKRABORTY
The traditional health care system practiced by the Santal tribe is deeply rooted in their ecological understanding, which recognizes the complex connections between culture, environment, and well-being. Over generations, the Santals have cultivated an extensive knowledge of their natural environment, especially the forest, which has led to the development of a plant-centric approach to health care. This system emphasizes the interdependence of all living organisms and offers a unique perspective on the origins of disease and strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Utilizing traditional medicines, herbal remedies, and rituals steeped in spiritual significance, the Santal health care system embodies a holistic understanding of health. Research conducted among the Santal community in Purulia, West Bengal, India, explores the complex ways in which Santal culture and environment shape their health practices and beliefs. Using ethnographic methods such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of healing rituals, researchers have explored the importance of medicinal plants in Santal health care and the relationship between supernatural beliefs and health outcomes.
