Cultural Sustainability and the Preservation of Tribal Indigenous Knowledge of Healing

Abstract

The present study focuses on the cultural sustainability of the Hill Tiwa community of Umswai Valley in Assam and promotes preservation of their indigenous knowledge of healing. The present study implemented both explanatory and exploratory research designs. The primary data were collected through both participant and nonparticipant observation techniques, and the semi structured interview method was applied to understand the cultural beliefs and indigenous healing practices of the Hill Tiwa community of Umswai Valley. The study incorporates secondary data collected from a wide range of published sources. Although the cultural beliefs and indigenous knowledge of tribal communities may lack scientific validation, they continue to serve as important sources of cultural wisdom and social identity. To sustain the sociocultural identity of the Hill Tiwa community, knowledge should be properly documented and preserved. In the absence of systematic documentation, there is a considerable risk of permanent loss of the culture of healing.