Indigenous Healing Practices in India: Shamanism, Spirit Possession, and Healing Shrines

This chapter reviews anthropological and psychological literature on indigenous and ritual healing, tracing a shift from early studies of shamans and healing cults in non-Western contexts—focused on symbolic performances—to more recent attention on everyday contexts where people seek alternative healing for illness or distress. Key terminology has evolved from 'ritual healing' and 'indigenous healing' to 'everyday healing' or simply 'healing.' The chapter addresses central questions of efficacy and effectiveness, arguing for the importance of diverse healing practices in society while cautioning against simplistic attempts to incorporate alternative healing into biomedical treatment and cure.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter undertakes an exhaustive review of the vast literature on indigenous healing within anthropology and psychology. Although the topic of ritual healing has been popular within anthropology, in more recent times, it has also drawn the interest of scholars in psychology and related fields. Much of the early research on indigenous healing or ritual healing focussed on the practices of healing cults and indigenous healers and shamans in non-Western contexts. These studies approached healing in terms of symbolic practices and performances. More recently, however, scholars have looked at the everyday contexts of healing, studying situations where people turn to alternative healing practices for relief from illness or distress. Accordingly, the key terms for these practices have changed, with ‘ritual healing’ and ‘indigenous healing’ giving way to ‘everyday healing’ or, often, simply healing. In tracing these changes in the study of healing, this chapter addresses the key questions about efficacy and effectiveness that are central to this field of study. While arguing for the powerful place of diverse healing practices in society, this chapter cautions against simplistic attempts to incorporate alternative healing within biomedical practices of treatment and cure.