Notes

Which one would you choose, traditional or modern medicine?

For an anthropologist, alternative medicine is nothing new. Each of indonesia’s regions has its own unique kind of medicine, according to sri murni, a health anthropologist from the university of indonesia, using prayer and herbs that grow in its surroundings. In the field of anthropology, a witch doctor is called a shaman.

By marcel glen longdong

Alternative forms of medicine are praticed not only in indonesia, says health anthropologist mkes sri murni. These types of healing are closely related to a country local beliefs and culture.

In jombang, in east java province, local believe in a concept called dukun tiban.... someone who has a sixth sense or supernatural powers as a result of an extraordinary event the happened to the person. For example a child get struck by lighting and then wakes up o find as one that can heal peoples diseases. Because of this the child becomes considered a dukun tiban.

As murni went around indonesia to conduct research on traditional medicine, she encountered various shamans. “ in batak,” she says, “the shamans are called belian, and in mnetawai they are called sikerey”. They pratice their rites, and are highly respected within their societies.

She then explains that in anthropology, there are two kinds of medicinal pratices. The first one is commonly known as western medicine. This is the modern medicine that we know today, and students learn this in schools of medicine at universities. The second one is called traditional medicine, which is passed on from generation to generation and forms part of the local culture.

In traditional medicine, diseases are classified into two kinds, personal and naturalistic. Personal diseases are caused by spirits, magic, and others of the same category. On the other hand, naturalistic diseases occur when there is an imbalance between a person inner self and his outer experiences ( for example climate, weather,etc)

“this one cannot be proven scientifically, no matter what. And such belief still exists in our society” murni explains

Furthermore, the two kinds of medical pratices each has its own definition of the term “ill” in modern or western medicine, someone is considered ill id diagnostic results shows that something is wrong with a person’s body. Such analysis does not apply in traditional medicine.

“In tradisional medicine, someone healthy can be considered ill if he or she breaks certain traditions or laws. Specific ceremonies need to be conducted to stop it from, for example, spreading to others,” Murni explains.

In the anthropologist’s opinion, this difference makes its posibel to tell which practice is right or wrong. She believes that such polarization is very subjective, as she is convinced that it depends on each person.

This is where conflict seldom comes up between modern and traditional medicine. Modern doctors may be assigned to rural areas, where they may live with the locals to treat diseases. Here, they may meet and confront local shamans. It these situations, it is up to the doctors’ discretion whether to oppose or work together with the shamans.

Moreover, Murni argues that the response to many traditional medicines (that are rooted on certain religions) eventually depends on the patiensts. Patients are urged to be careful and critical when someone claims that he or she can heal using prayers from a certain religion. They should check whether he or she actually practices this.

The concept or praying itself is not unusual for shamans. When they heal their patients., they pray in their local language. Some also use herbs that can be easily founds in there sorroundings.

Murni does not deny that nowadays, there are people who take advantage of such practices. As a result, there may be victims of false traditional medicinal practices carried out by false shamans. Therefore, we needs to watch out for false shamans.

So which medicinal practice is right? The fact is that, when people in rural villages cannot be healed by shamans, they will go and look for doctors. On the other hand, when people in towns and cities cannot be healed by modern medicine, they will still seek the help of shamans. This is the case even for educated and successful people.

So which practice is the right option? These two types of medicine may seem to be very different, but they actually complement each other. Murni says that we cannot blame people for having different types of health care practices. It is human, she says, to took after one’s health and well being.