Case studies - Part IX: Healing art of tribal communities of Kerala, India

Abstract

The healing art of tribal people of Kerala involves diverse prcatices, rituals and ceremonies for the wellbeing of all the members of tribal communities. Since it is confined to position specific knowledge of ethnic communities, abiding in a particular region, the knowledge is limited to the inheritable and non-genetic resources available within their surroundings. Those ethnic Traditional Knowledge (TK) encompasses the wisdom, knowledge, tutoring and experience of these communities and generally is orally transmitted from generation to generation. Overall it refers to gests of longstanding traditions and practices of certain indigenous or original communities. Along with deforestation, urbanization and modernization, the living habits of the tribal communities are changing rapidly that is evident on their lack of interest in TK which results in the gradual disappearing without any footprints. Hence, the need for systematic documentation of TK in order to protect, nurture and ensure legitimate utilization, protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the tribal communities.