Author
Abstract
This study is based upon a field work in the Turkmen Sahara region. It explores one of the indigenous healing methods called Ishani taken by the Turkmen women. There are different methods of healing among Turkmen such as Porkhani, Damartotan, but Ishani is one of the most amazing cultural phenomena grown in the Turkmen culture. The root of this healing method is based upon the central Asian culture. The present paper presents the character of women healers as the method itself. Indigenous healing method is a combination of different techniques which are presented through a ritual ceremony.Such treatments have been always existed as the traditional ways of healing methods. Human being and his diseases and the treatment discovery have always integrated all over the world. The information of indigenous knowledge is one of the sources of indigenous healing. To explore, discover, and document the indigenous knowledge helps to reveal the hidden parts of the culture as well as the indigenous healings. The healer has been regarded as a Master by patient. For the native patients, the function of the healer is not only treating him, but also the process of healing is relating to the beliefs of people. This paper is concentrated on Ishani which is mostly influenced by Islam, so it is different from other healing methods specifically from Porkhani that is focused on shamanism and is streamed from the central Asian tribe.
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