Traditional Ethno-Gynaecological Practises in Muriya Tribe of Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh

Health is not merely a biomedical phenomenon, but it is also influenced by economic, cultural, psychological, and social factors. Every community has its own cultural understanding of health. Reproductive health encompasses not just the reproductive system and its functions, but also the complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to reproduction. Ethnomedicine is an emerging field that focuses on the traditional treatment of gynecological issues among tribal communities. In this context, the present research study aims to explore the traditional childbirth practices of the Muria tribe. For this purpose, a Muria-dominated village in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh was selected. Among the Muria tribe, childbirth is conducted outside the house. Before the delivery, the traditional healer (gunia) performs a ritual worship of the deity. The condition of the baby is assessed by touching the woman’s abdomen prior to delivery. During childbirth, the woman is made to sit in a squatting position on a wooden stool (peeta), and the delivery is conducted in this posture. In case of complications, medicinal plants found in the forest are used as remedies. After delivery, a purification ritual is performed, and only upon its completion are the woman and the newborn allowed to enter the house. This entire process is rooted in traditional knowledge, which has been passed down orally from generation to generation. It is essential to document such traditional childbirth practices, as this indigenous knowledge is on the verge of extinction. Preservation of this knowledge will help the new generation of the Muria tribe understand their cultural approaches to health and can also serve as a bridge between traditional and modern healthcare systems.