EXPLORING PLURALISTIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AMONG THE SUMI NAGAS IN NAGALAND

Traditional healing practices have long been an important part of Sumi Naga Culture. Historically, these practices evolved to address the challenges posed by their environment which seemed unknown and dangerous before they came in contact with the outsiders. In contemporary times, the Sumi Nagas have adopted both traditional healing methods and modern medicine leading to Pluralistic health-care systems. In the era of modern science and technology, the Sumi Nagas have also been influenced by modern medicine but their traditional healing practices are not lost. The present study is carried out to explore the interface of traditional healing practices and modern medicine among the Sumi Nagas in Nagaland. An interview schedule method of data collection was used to collect first-hand information from traditional healers and knowledgeable people of the Sumi community.