Medico-Ethnobiology, Indigenous Technology and Indigenous Knowledge System of Newar Ethnic Group in Khokana Village of Lalitpur District, Nepal

Abstract

Newar are ancient civilized, they have rich knowledge, skills and techniques on the traditional utilization of natural resources for various purposes like traditional medicine, food, housing, industries and handicrafts. This study has been carried out in Khokana village of Karyabinayak Municipality, Lalitpur District, Nepal. The main objective of the study was to document ethno-medicinal applications of plant and animal species for the treatment of different diseases by Newar people in study area. The first field visit was carried on April 7 to 13 and second field visit was carried in May (17, 25, 29, and 30) and June (22, 23, and 24). Each day 4 hrs was spent in field. Total 82 individuals were interviewed among which 49 were male and 33 were female. For the data collection, group discussions, key informant questionnaire survey to Newar local healers and elder peoples have been carried out. During field visit total 14 medicinal animal species and 71 medicinal plant species were recorded. From the study it was found that Newar peoples use 14 animal species for the treatment of 16 types of ailments. Mammals (50%) and aves (29%) were mostly used for the preparation of ethnomedicine in study area than other. Maximum animal species were used to treat musculoskeletal disease followed by reproductive, integumentary and ophthalmological. For the different medicinal purposes, different parts and products of animal species such as bones, flesh, meat, milk, blood, honey, bile, fat, egg, and fecal matters were used as traditional medicine and meat of the animal species was mostly used for preparing ethnomedicine. Similarly, 71 plant species were used to treat 51 ailments in study area. Herbs (49%) were generally used plants for the treatment of diseases followed by shrubs, tree, climber, grass and fern. Maximum plant species in the study area were used to treat gastrointestinal diseases followed by integumentary, reproductive, musculoskeletal and leaves of the plants was mostly used for preparing ethnomedicine in the study area. During this field visits some of the indigenous technology and knowledge systems were also listed like mustard seed oil mill, traditional alcohol making, handicraft, agricultural practices, pest management in field etc. Due to the globalization and modernization indigenous knowledge and skills of medication have been less focused these days among the Newar people because of their inclination towards modern medicine and hospital facilities. It would be better to provide education, motivation to local healers and documentation on the use of such medicinal plants and animals to preserve such knowledge.