Traditional Medical System and Healers in Umla Village, Leh Jammu and Kashmir

Indigenous medical system and its contribution become paramount in places where there is a closed community structure and function. Ladakh is a landlocked region with harsh climatic conditions and resource availability that, local population relies on various local knowledge systems for ages. Tibetan medical system is one of the local knowledge systems prevalent for ages it has had experienced phases of decline as well as revival or recognition. Tibetan medicine was recognized as traditional medicine in 2010 by the Government of India. Ladakh experienced a change in its traditional medical system in the late 1960s and 70s due to the availability of modern allopathic medicine. Since then, local people have had choices for selecting different medical systems to treat their illnesses and diseases. This paper focuses on the roles of healers from the traditional and modern medical systems to analyse the relationship between the patient and doctors or traditional healers called Amchi. An effort was made to see the implications of the recognition of Tibetan medicine in 2010. Methodologically, an ethnographic approach and its relevant data collection methods were used. Umla village is one of the remote villages in the Leh district where both traditional and modern medical systems are available. We have selected this village based on its closeness to Leh city and the lack of healers in the village.  The villagers chose traditional and allopathic medicine per the illnesses' needs and requirements. Despite the healers staying outside the village, their relationship in terms of continuing the treatment process is based on faith and trust that they could build throughout their community life and understanding of the surrounding environment and its natural resources.