Local Wisdom of Holy Water Healers in Accidental Bone-fixing Healing A study of Mr. Prasert Phalapleuk

Abstract

The objective of this study was to study wisdom of the holy water healers in accidental bone-fixing healing including background knowledge and processes of healing. The area of study was Ban Nadee-Sangbong, Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province and the main data was collected from a sample of 30 people; 1 holy healer, 3 holy healer’s relatives and 26 patients or relatives by semi-structured interview and non-participatory observation. Triangulation method was applied for precision and confidence of data, the data were returned to the sample group using focus group discussion. Descriptive analysis and content analysis were applied for conclusion and data analysis. The findings revealed that 1) background knowledge; the holy healer learned from his father through helping his father in the healing and he was inspired and motivated by his first - hand experience with the patients and his concern for the disappearance of the local wisdom of bone fracture healing. There was a fixed date for teaching; only on the day, the month, and the year that ends with 5 and the learner had to prepare Khan 5, Hoi Nimon and Khan Mak Beng and Kai to worship the teaches. The teacher prayed for 5 parts and the learner recited after the teacher for 3 times and had to recite everyday for another 2 years until a member in the family or relatives had an accident and the learner cured that person. In case of success, the learner would be considered a holy water healer 2) the processes of bone-fracture healing; before healing the healer would ask the patient to prepare  Khan 5, Kai and water for showing respect to teachers and making holy water.  The holy water healer performed incantations over the water and spouted the water over the broken bone area for 7-15 days continuously or more than that period depending on the level of bone injury and age of patients.  The patients had to drink the holy water after the healing process and took the holy water home to drink it. The holy water should be kept in a high place and cannot be touched by anybody. Whenever, the patient recovered, he had to return to the holy water healer to perform the Kai ritual.