Medico-Ethnobiology, Indigenous Technology and Indigenous Knowledge System of Newar Ethnic Group in Khokana Village of Lalitpur District, Nepal
Files
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Central Department of Zoology
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.