‘Ethnomedicine of the Ao Nagas’, a book introducing applications of culturally rooted and ‘symbolically meaningful’ traditional medicinal practices across other domain of Ao Naga social life, authored by Dr. Talimenla Tetso, published by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur was launched by Mrs. Hekali Zhimomi, IAS, Director, NEZCC on Tuesday.\nThe book, ideal for its practical value describes local health problems and issues as seen by the villagers that will help contribute to examine issues in medical practice and also provide a baseline for undertaking any healthcare developmental work in the rural setting.
\nOwing to the absence of indepth study especially on ethno medical practice of the Nagas, Dr. Talimenla presents the concept as ‘culturally ordered inter-relationship of medical symbols and meanings’ that are associated with the community notion of illness ideology, and entire set of preventive and destructive health rituals performed by participants in various healing contexts. Tracing the medical practices of the Aos from ancient days, she also attempts to explore the process how the concept of Christian healing is incorporated with traditional medicinal practices and beliefs of the Aos.
\nTerming the book as ‘significant’ and ‘positive initiative’ towards understanding our traditional knowledge systems and practices, Hekali Zhimomi, IAS, released the first ever ethnomedicine book at NEZCC conference hall.
\nSpeaking at the programme, attended by a group of thinkers and intellectuals, Hekali said Nagaland with its rich history of indigenous traditional knowledge needs ‘more’ exploring, and emphasized the crucial need to ‘revive the practice, interest and research’ into traditional knowledge systems of the Naga society. “Such knowledge will enable us to understand our cultural roots and help us in facing the challenges that our society constantly faces” she added.
\nMeanwhile, the book, priced at Rs 350\/- is an abridged work of Dr Talimenla’s Ph.D thesis submitted to the department of history, University of Pune, India. She is married to Dr David Tetso, a Zoo Archeologist, under project Art and Culture department. Besides being a writer, Dr Talimenla (Aonokpu) also works as project consultant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"