pdf Traditional Amchi Practices among Indigenous Communities in Nepal

Nepal has legally recognized 59 indigenous nationalities, referred to as Aadibasi Janajati (NFDIN, 2002). Indigenous peoples account for 35.6 percent of the total national population of 26,494,504 (Dahal, 2014). Indigenous peoples have been living in different geographical and ecological regions with a distinct culture, identity and way of life. They have a very special social, cultural, economic, and spiritual relationship with natural resources. Indigenous peoples, who are scattered across the length and breadth of the country, have their own traditional healing and medicinal practices. Traditional healing and medicinal practices remain most prevalent in the remote areas, particularly among the indigenous communities, as they are easily accessible and cheaper against a dearth of clinics and medical doctors.