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We Get Healed Immediately: Preference for Traditional Healing in Rural Indonesia
Budi Satria, Abdul Manan, Kamarullah , Cut Intan Salasiyah, Juanita and Fajri
Published: 2024/09/01
Abstract
Traditional healing (TH), consisting of conventional medicines and casting spells, has remained popular among communities in Aceh, Indonesia, despite access to modern medicine. This study explores the distinctive TH forms and factors responsible for its popularity although TH is challenged by modernization and scientific medicine already. For six months in 2022, we collected data from 17 TH patients and practitioners ranging from 45 to 60 years old, applying a descriptive qualitative approach with observations, in-depth interviews, and document study. Depending on time and place, TH implemented by the locals includes various forms of medication for ‘normal’ and ‘unusual’ conditions, in combination with procedures like casting mantras, spraying particular medicines, and retrieving lost spirits. Our findings discover three factors contributing to the preference for TH. First, the practice turns into an alternative health assurance due to the flexibility of the healers and the low medication fees. Secondly, the firm belief in God and cultural bonds strengthens the community’s attraction to TH as all diseases are curable, or if they are not, it is because of His power. Third, the community’s unavailability to participate in public health education and the limited health information from educational sectors reduce the preference for modern medication. These economic, socio-cultural and educational factors make TH preferable to modern healthcare. Even though modernity somewhat challenges TH, the practice embodies overall credence, behaviors, traditions, belief systems and customary rituals that communities consider to be as an essential element of their culture. Keywords: Healing practices, Indonesia, Medical anthropology; Rituals of medication; Traditional healing
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