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Ethnomedicinal Wisdom and Famine Food Plants of the Hajong Community of Baromari Village in Netrakona District of Bangladesh

Md. Arif Khan
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University, Santosh-1902, Bangladesh.

Mohammad Nazmul Hasan
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Nasreen Jahan
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University, Santosh-1902, Bangladesh.

Protiva Rani Das
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Md. Tabibul Islam
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Md. Shaiful Alam Bhuiyan
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Sharmin Jahan
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Sophia Hossain
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted among the Hajong community residing in Baromari village of Netrakona district, Bangladesh. The Hajongs are a relatively small indigenous community or tribe and are scattered in the north central districts of Bangladesh. Although the tribe is fast losing their traditional customs, their traditional medicinal practitioners still exist although the traditional medicinal wisdom of the Hajongs has not been previously documented. In the present ethnomedicinal survey, it was observed that Hajong traditional medicinal practitioners use both medicinal plants and animal parts for treatment of ailments. A total of 31 plants were used by the Hajong healers in their medicinal formulations. These plant species were distributed into 21 families. Of the 31 plant species, 4 plants could not be identified suggesting that the hilly forested region inhabited by the Hajongs may offer more plant species new to science. Seven formulations contained various animal parts. The Hajongs also used parts from two plant species as famine foods. It was of interest that both famine food plant species had medicinal significance, suggesting that these species may serve both famine food and medicinal purposes. The ailments treated with medicinal plants or animals by the Hajong healers were quite limited. Ailments treated with medicinal plants included respiratory tract disorders, pain, cuts and wounds, urinary problems, jaundice, oral lesions, gastrointestinal disorders, tuberculosis, and itches. However, the Hajong healers were also cognizant of complicated diseases like cardiovascular disorders, cancer and tumor and had specific medicinal plant formulations for their treatment. Animal parts included skull, bones, horn or skin from animals like Bengal fox, deer, Asiatic black beer, Indian elephant, snail, and a turtle species. The use of animal parts were mostly for esoteric purposes like ‘closing’ a house from evil spirits or thievery, or protection of new born baby from any harm or to prevent an enemy from entering the house. However, three animal parts were used for treatment of various types of fever. Two plant parts were also used by the Hajong community as famine foods. A review of the available scientific literature suggests that many of the medicinal plants used by the Hajongs can be validated scientifically in their traditional uses based on reported pharmacological activities present in those plants. It would be of interest to examine the plants and animal parts used by the Hajong healers in a scientific manner towards discovery of useful drugs.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Ethnomedicine, Famine food, Hajong, Bangladesh

Location: Baromari village in Netrakona district of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among a Hajong community located in Baromari village of Durgapur Upazila (sub-district) in Netrakona district of Bangladesh. In our previous ethnomedicinal surveys, we have found wide variations in the selection of medicinal plants by Kavirajes living even in adjacent villages, or TMPs of the same tribe but living in different locations. As such, we feel that it is important to survey all TMPs or Kavirajes to get a comprehensive view of medicinal plants used in folk and tribal medicines of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The present survey was conducted among the Hajong community residing in Baromari village of Durgapur Upazila in Netrakona district, Bangladesh. The Hajong community had three TMPs namely Behula Hajong was of 35 years age, Sukhlal Adhikary of 80 years age, and Pithraj Hajong of 50 years age. Informed consent was initially obtained from the TMPs. The TMPs were apprised in details about the purpose of our visit and consent obtained to disseminate the information provided both nationally and internationally. After some initial objections, the TMPs agreed to furnish as much information available to them regarding their traditional medicinal practices. Interbiews were conducted in the Bengali language, which was the language of the interviewers and also spoken and understood by the Hajongs. Actual interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided filed-walk method of Martin (1995) and Maundu (1995). In this method, the TMPs took the interviewers on guided field-walks through areas from where they collected their medicinal plants, pointed out the plants and described their uses. Plant specimens were photographed and collected from the spot, dried, and brought back to Dhaka for complete identification by Mr. Manjur-Ul-Kadir Mia, ex-Curator and Principal Scientific Officer of the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Information on plant species used by the Hajong community as famine food was collected from various community members and the plant species identified as mentioned above.

Various animal parts or whole animals (like snails) were photographed and the identity of the animals in question established from thorough conversations with the TMPs. The scientific names and proper identification was established from competent authorities.

Source of Information: American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 6(4): 387-397, 2012 ISSN 1995-0748

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Two plant parts were used by the Hajong community as famine food, i.e. consumed during times of food scarcity. The fruits of Dioscorea bulbifera were boiled and taken with salt, while the tubers of Dioscorea pentaphylla were boiled and also taken with salt. It is to be noted that anti-tumor promoting effect has been found with Dioscorea bulbifera (Gao et al., 2007), as well as anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemic activity (Ahmed et al., 2009). Dioscorea pentaphylla is used as an ethnomedicine in Rajasthan, India for treatment of stomach ache (Choudhary et al., 2008). Thus these two plants may be used by the Hajongs as famine foods not only for their nutritive values, but also for their medicinal properties. Note that stomach ache can be a common problem when the person is hungry and without food.

Taken together, the medicinal plants and animal parts used by the Hajong TMPs have been shown to have wide ethnomedicinal uses. Some of the ethnomedicinal uses of the Hajongs also have been scientifically validated. It is of further interest to continue scientific studies to determine whether these plants or animal parts can be the source of newer and better drugs.

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