Study on magico-religious plants in Paddari tribe of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

Background: The present study was carried out in Paddar region of Jammu and Kashmir to investigate and document the plant species used by the Paddari tribe in socio-magico-religious purposes.

Methods: Ninety-eight informants (55 males and 43 females) in the age of 21 to 80 years were included in the study. Purposive, snowball and random sampling methods were used to choose the informants. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, group discussions, and field visits. Data was quantitatively analyzed using Relative Frequency of citations (RFCs), Cultural Importance (CI), Family important value (FIV), Informant consensus factor (ICF), Jaccard’s Index (JI).

Results: The study documented 32 plants of 31 genera from 19 families for magico-religious purposes.  Herbs (47%) were the dominant plant forms and stem (23%) is the mostly used part used in magico-religious practices. Pyrus malus L. and Brassica campestris L. have high relative frequency of citation (RFC) as well as cultural importance (CI). MAG had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF=0.968). Magico-religious use of Rosa moschata Herrm., Desmodium elegans DC., Achillea millefolium L., Angelica glauca Edgew., Indigofera tinctoria L., Prunus persica, Rosa webbiana Wall. ex Royle are reported for the first time.

Conclusions: The people of Paddar have rich traditional knowledge of employing plants in magico-religious practices. It is critical to maintain this traditional knowledge by proper documentation and identification to ensure their sustainable use. It is recommended that the study area's inhabitants must be educated on the value of plant diversity and monitored and contacted on a regular basis regarding their beliefs.

Keywords: Magico-religious beliefs, Sacred Plants, Cultural beliefs, Paddari tribe, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir