Magico-Religious Folk Healing and Health: An Empirical Study

The present study was undertaken to examine the role of magico-religious folk healing in health care. Folk healers are often regarded as people of great wisdom and esteemed standing within society, both in terms of materiality and moral character. These people possess the ability to accurately diagnose the underlying causes of diseases and disorders, and they also have expertise in utilising a wide range of pharmaceutical interventions, traditional practices, and extraordinary supernatural powers to effectively manage these conditions. This study concentrated on a local magico-religious healer residing in Rampura village of Amritsar district, Punjab. The observation and interview method were used to gather information with the ultimate objective of comprehending the factors contributing to the enduring prevalence of faith-based healing practices and their significance in addressing healthcare requirements. The study found people continue to place their belief in faith-based healing procedures due to the psychological gratification they bring and this is not a result of ignorance but rather a matter of faith. It emphasises the need for modern physicians to view health through a cultural lens and address it in culturally suggested ways, wherever necessary.