Traditional Healing Practices--Status: Endangered. (Part 1)

In some places in Indonesia, especially in rural areas, traditional concoction a.k.a Jamu (usually tonic made of medicinal plants) has become a part of daily consumption to keep people healthy.



A professional is making the concoction ( we call her “MBAH” -- a common call for old women and men in JAVA, literary meaning grandmother or grandfather). I Wonder will there be 'next professional seller'?!
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These photos represent portrait of how Indonesia rich in traditional wisdom regarding health systems, which have a long historical background inherited from their ancestors' experiences and became a part of daily life. The woman is selling traditional concoction in a traditional market in Yogyakarta. The ingredient of her concoction are from herbals believed to be able to keep people healthy. The processing is also done traditionally, not using any machine. She scrapes turmerics, crushes herbals, and squashing them with her hands. Buyer can either drink the concoction directly there from a glass made of coconut shell (see pic on your left) or bring it home packaged in a plastic see pic on your right). The price for one portion is 2000 rupiah (US$ 0,2).





From our observation, nowadays people selling the traditional concoction are mostly aged women. There has been also a decline in number of traditional concoction sellers, who usually walk around our village. Perhaps, there are not many people who want to consume such concoction because they now believe more in modern medicines and supplements they see on TV.

The bitter consequence lurks behind this reality is since on the other hand, many more people are not able to reach the so called sophisticated health innovation, therefore, the disappearance of traditional healing methods and practices apparently can make many people who cannot afford the so-called modern innovation become more vulnerable.

We think, is traditional knowledge to keep us healthy going to extinct along with the decreasing appreciation from us? What and how great the loss are we going to face then?


More Photos:\




“Maknyusss!” meaning very-very-very tastefull. She regularly drink jamu made by this “MBAH” every morning except sunday.







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The herbals..!What are they? I can spot turmeric. What else? I will ask the seller later.






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What I drink in this pic is called Kunir Asem. I like the taste and the smell. It is sour and sweet and fresh. There is also a soda sensation. Can you imagine then? After drinking this, usually we drink some sugary-water.






By: Ida and Eni, Yogyakarta, May 09th, 2009.