Reviving Roots: A Community-Led Initiative to Preserve Indigenous Knowledge at Raimatang Church Line

[Sanjeev Biswa]

On 21st February 2026, a beautiful and meaningful initiative was undertaken at Raimatang Church Line on Promoting the sharing and learning of tribal Adivasi traditional medicinal herbs, organic farming practices, and the preservation of indigenous culture among the younger generation. This initiative started from the common dream that the community had identified earlier during the dream-building process. When they discussed their hopes for the future, they shared a strong wish to protect and continue their culture and traditional knowledge. This program was taken as a step to achieve that shared dream. It shows the community’s unity and commitment to turning their ideas into action and keeping their culture alive for the next generation. Reflecting on their previously identified common dreams, the community members—especially the women—came together with the support and facilitation of the facilitators to take action on one of their shared aspirations:

“To protect and preserve tribal traditions and culture.”  

Objectives of the Initiative

The initiative aimed to:

• Preserve and sustain indigenous tribal knowledge and cultural heritage.

• Promote learning and sharing of traditional medicinal herbs and organic farming practices.

• Instill love, respect, and pride for indigenous culture among children and youth.

• Strengthen unity and collective identity within the community.

• Encourage practical application of traditional knowledge in daily life.

Opening Reflection: A Call to Revive Traditions

At the beginning of the program, a woman representative from the community spoke passionately about the gradual loss of traditional practices. She shared how earlier generations relied on medicinal herbs, natural foods, and organic farming methods to maintain good health. Over time, however, many of these practices have faded, and children have grown more dependent on modern medicine for even minor illnesses.

She emphasized that while medical treatment is essential for serious conditions, common illnesses like fever, cough, headache, and minor infections can often be managed with traditional remedies. She encouraged everyone to reintroduce these practices into daily life and ensure that children learn their value.

Her reflection created a sense of urgency and purpose for the session.

Following this reflection, the session gradually moved to the second segment titled “Medicinal Herbs, traditional equipment and Their Uses.” To provide clearer explanations, one of the elderly participants joined her, sharing traditional knowledge with the younger generation. Some of the important herbs and items discussed are mentioned below:

•  Andri
  This plant is traditionally used to relieve severe toothache. It helps reduce pain and strengthens the teeth. Nowadays, when people suffer from cavities or tooth pain, doctors often recommend tooth extraction, which may weaken the jaw over time. Using Andri is believed to reduce pain naturally and protect dental health.
• Seet Leaf
  This leaf is used to treat cough. The lower side of the leaf is slightly heated, and its juice is extracted by squeezing. Drinking this juice for at least three days is believed to help in recovering from cough and improving overall health.
• Bhui Neem
  Bhui Neem is commonly used to cure fever. The leaves can be ground into a paste or consumed directly on an empty stomach. It is believed to help reduce body temperature and provide relief from fever.

• Haadjood
  It is traditionally used for treating fractures and broken bones. The stem of the plant is gently heated over fire and then applied to the fractured area. It is believed to help in faster healing and strengthening of the affected bone. This remedy has been practiced by ancestors for generations as a natural way to support recovery from bone injuries.
• Beth
  Beth is used to treat jaundice. It resembles sugarcane, and similar to how sugarcane juice is consumed, the juice of Beth is extracted and drunk for its medicinal benefits.
• Okhal (Traditional Wooden Mortar) Okhal was traditionally used for pounding rice, corn, and other grains to prepare flour. However, it was not only a tool for food preparation; it also played an important role in strengthening social relationships within the community. Preparing flour using the okhal usually required two to three members working together. During this time, people would talk, share their happiness and sorrows, and support one another. This collective activity helped build stronger bonds and a sense of unity among family and community members. Thus, the okhal was not just a household tool, but also a symbol of togetherness and community connection.

• Silpatta
  Silpatta is a traditional grinding stone used in earlier days. Besides being a useful tool for grinding herbs and spices, it also serves as a form of physical exercise, helping to keep the body active and fit. Species grinded in silpatta tastes different then electronic grinder. It is helpful for both health and taste.

• Kalli
  Kalli is a traditional ornament worn by ancestors. It reflects the cultural identity and heritage of the community and symbolizes pride in their roots.

 

After these, facilitators thanked her for such a wonderful knowledge sharing and also reflected on the learnings that how we can practice such herbs in our daily lives.

 

After Experience Reflection:

Session then moved towards the AER session where participants were asked to share their learnings and ideas;

• An old woman shared, today everyone gathered and discussed good and important topics. It is very important for children to know about these medicinal plants, and parents should also teach their children so that this knowledge continues in the future. We should start from today itself and plant these herbs in a small area at our homes.
• A woman said, “Today our children are also present here. We have learned about these plants, and I felt happy that the children were also able to recognize them. If they face any problem in the future, they will be able to take care of themselves.”
• A youth said, “Today I got the opportunity to learn about many herbs, and I learned a lot. I will try to teach others as well.”
• An adolescent girl said, “Today we enjoyed the session, and aunty explained everything very clearly. More people should have joined us so that they could also understand this.”
• We should always be present on time so that no one is late.

 

Reflections on Common Dream Building

At the end of the program, some community members who had participated in the Common Dream Building process shared their views. They spoke about how the program became successful and how they plan to take it forward in the future.

Two women from the community shared, “Our dream from the beginning was to revive the traditional vegetables and medicinal herbs that our ancestors used. Nowadays, most food and medicines are mixed with chemicals, which often cause illnesses. Earlier, this was not the case. We used to grow different vegetables in our kitchen gardens, but now people are slowly forgetting these practices. We want to bring these traditions back into use and also share this knowledge with the new generation. It was our dream to educate children about these traditional practices, and today we were able to take a step towards that. We invited elders, children, and parents so that elders could explain the importance and children could learn about the benefits.”

Another woman mentioned, “We had a dream to teach our children about our culture, and today we have taken that initiative. We will continue trying to preserve and carry it forward in the future.”

 

Adolescents’ Reflections

Adolescents shared, “Today we attended the cultural program. Earlier, we did not know how our ancestors treated illnesses, what kinds of materials they used, or how they dressed. But today our mothers and grandmothers explained these things to us. We learned a lot from them.”

Another girl mentioned, “Even though we live in our village, we never really understood how different plants are used. Today our mothers explained how to use these plants and how they help in curing illnesses. For small health problems, we usually go to the hospital, but now we understand that we can also prepare simple remedies using medicinal herbs. There are many herbs that can help us recover if used properly. However, if we become seriously ill, we must visit a doctor. For minor illnesses, we can make use of these traditional remedies.”

She further added, “Whatever we learned today, we will share with our friends so that they can also learn. We did not know these things before, but now we will spread this knowledge among others.”

[Rituu B. Nanda]

The parents in the indigenous community after compiling a shared dream of preserving their traditional culture, organised a programme to share their wisdom and knowledge with the children. Your blog brings out the strengths that already exist within the community, many of which are slowly fading with the growing use of modern gadgets and modern practices.

Great facilitation by Rural aid on community led response. Thank you Sanjeev.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

This blog is based on the initiative taken by the Raimatang community to preserve their indigenous culture and knowledge of medicinal herbs. It is a perfect example of passing down heritage from the older generation to the younger one and preserving indigenous roots through unity. Surely, the younger generation will understand its importance and protect their culture.