Art and Health: Lessons from Indigenous Cultures

Abstract

This paper examines the interconnectedness of art and health in Indigenous cultures, examining how traditional artistic practices contribute to holistic well-being. Indigenous approaches to health often integrate art as a therapeutic practice, aligning spiritual, emotional, and community health with cultural expressions like storytelling, dance, and visual arts. The paper highlights the potential for integrating these insights into contemporary healthcare systems by analyzing Indigenous health practices that embody holistic and community-focused values. The study offers a framework for reimagining healthcare to address broader aspects of human experience beyond clinical disease models, emphasizing the significance of cultural and spiritual health in promoting resilience and well-being. This work serves as a call to action for healthcare practitioners and policymakers to recognize and incorporate Indigenous healing methods and artistic expressions within modern health interventions. Keywords: Indigenous healing, art and health, holistic healthcare, cultural health practices, traditional medicine, community well-being.