Impact of Religion on Traditional Health Care Practices Among the Lepchas of Upper and Lower Lingthem of Upper Dzongu, Sikkim, India

Abstract

In all cultures and regions, the concept of health varies, based on the type of environment and prevalent sociocultural traditions. The present study is conducted among the Lepchas of the village of Lingthem divided into two sectors—Upper and Lower Lingthem, Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim. This population comprising Buddhist Lepchas residing away from the mainstream through poor infrastructural facilities still maintain ethnomedical health care practices without influence of major Indian healing systems. Living in the area of Dzongu exclusively inhabited by Lepchas revival of ancient cultural practices is evident among Lepchas of Lingthem. The structure of religious beliefs prevalent among the Lepchas, including traditional animistic as well as Buddhist practices, greatly influence forms of treatment sought for specific ailments. Even today, the use and maintenance of traditional health care with syncretized Buddhist religious belief among residents of Lingthem act as a vital source for understanding the influence of religion on traditional health care practices. Despite the presence of a few modern health care agencies, the traditional treatment of Bongthing (Lepcha shaman) and Buddhist monks remain widely popular as primary means of health care.