Dissemination and Preservation of Indigenous Medical Knowledge: A study Based on Special Secret Method of Communication of <i>Vedageta</i> (Medicinal Puzzles) Used in the Field of Indigenous Medicine in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is inherited with its own remarkable indigenous knowledge system as evident by its impact on the earlier inhabitants. This knowledge has its own evolution process, improvement and development within its cultural environment and transmission from generation to generation. During the recent past, there had been much dialogue on the use of indigenous knowledge as a solution to complex issues our society is confronted with. There is an increasing trend of attempting to use science and technology together with traditional knowledge to find mutually beneficial results such as best practices, which could be adopted in development projects. The management of indigenous knowledge will revalidate the past and dying cultures and promote community-based involvement in development programmes of the country. This study focuses on one of the secret knowledge transmission methods used in the field of indigenous medicine, “Vedageta”. It is very clear that we thus address the need for paying great attention to this section of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and as academics, librarians, policy makers, and planners should pay greater attention to this invaluable treasure of knowledge that is threatened by extinction. This research is based on survey method including literature survey and field survey. The books written on indigenous medicine were used as sources of literature survey. Distinguish 60 Ayurveda and Indigenous medical practitioners in Anuradhapura and Colombo districts were consulted for the field survey. Both types of data qualitative and quantitative were collected in the above stated manner and analyzed quantitative data by using the SPSS and also qualitative data is according to the descriptive manner. The study highlights relevance of Vedageta which is a traditional method of transferring indigenous medical knowledge among indigenous medical practitioners still remains intact.