Ramechhap, July 5

The professional shamans of Ramechhap districts have started believing in modern treatment of different ailments: they have been referring the patients for doctors’ treatment as their traditional healing method can never cure all forms of diseases and physical illness.

The shamans of the district are now aware that they shouldn’t take risk over anyone’s health and life.

Many professional shamans of the district are asking the people to go for doctor’s check-up if they found that their illness couldn’t be cured through the traditional healing method.

Kedar Prasad Dhungel of Bhatauli who started his profession as a shaman in 2039 B.S said that he had cured many illnesses which couldn’t be cured by the doctors.

However, if they found that their spiritual power couldn’t heal any sorts of illness then it’s their responsibility to tell the people to go for medical checkup. As their profession is aimed at realising social welfare, they are not allowed to play with anyone’s health, added Dhungel.

He said still there are numerous people who still believe in the power of shamanism strongly. Not only the 55 VDCs of Ramechhap, but the people from other adjoining districts are also visiting him for their treatment, he added.

"If he found that the illness of the person couldn’t cured by his power and knowledge then he immediately refer them for medical treatment."

"I can’t break the trust of people. If my power couldn’t heal anyone’s illness then there is no reason of making people wait for long", said Dhungel.

Dhungel who also worked as a teacher in local school, urged all his junior shamans of the district not to show fake hopes for the people only in a lust of money.

Ram Bahadur Sharki, another shaman of Bhaluwajor, Lisimpani said many people of the district first visit shamans if they fall sick. However, the people shouldn’t trust shaman blindly, he added.

He said shamanism is based on faith of people. Thus, if his power couldn’t cure people’s illness then he refer them for medical treatment, he added.

Kumari B.K, a female shaman of Kathjor, said that it is true that the physical illness could only cure through the medical treatment. The shamanism couldn’t cure physical illness, she added.

She said she couldn’t play with the life of people, so if their power is unable to work against any illness then she refers them for medical treatment.

Chamey Damai of Ramechhap said only the half of the illness of the people could be cured by the shamans and remaining could be cured either through medical treatment or others.

Sharing his bitter experience of trusting shamans, Damai said one of his relative lost his both eyes and one local woman died by having the faith on shamans healing power.