Ethnomedical Practices of Parengi Porja Mothers: A Vulnerable Tribe in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Parengi Porja is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Population (PVTG), an aboriginal and small population inhabiting the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. The objective of the study is to detail on the Parengi Porjas tribal mothers’ ethno-etiology, ethno-symptomology, ethno-gynecological and ethno-obstetrics practices, and the timings of ethnomedicine intake which elucidates their ways of regaining health after childbirth and the illness episodes. The people also strongly believe in the concept of warding off an evil eye and the evil spirits which in turn help them in curing their illness. Twenty illnesses were classified into mild and severe, and five female-specific health related practices were analyzed. The findings of the study show that these practices are passing down from generations and are culturally acceptable, meaningful, and provide relief and care to the affected person at the earliest period. There also exists medical pluralism but in less extent as reaching modern medical facilities, requires time, transportation facilities, extreme climatic conditions as the region is prone to heavy rains and cyclones and also have language barriers with the doctors and nurses.