CaLLs : Journal of Culture, Arts, Literature, and Linguistics
Special Issue "SESANTI 2025"

Narratives of healing through traditional medicinal knowledge in Indonesian folklore

Zamruddin, Mardliya Pratiwi (Unknown)
Prafitri, Wilma (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Nov 2025

Abstract

This research examines the intricate relationship between oral traditions and indigenous healing practices across Indonesia. This study uses  Java, Bali, Kalimantan and Sulawesi folktales to examine how myths, legends and ritual narratives encode traditional medicinal knowledge. These stories reveal a comprehensive view of health as a  harmony across physical, spiritual, and environmental realms. Through thematic and symbolic analysis, the study shows ethnobotanical ideas, the sociocultural logic of healing, and the narrative roles of herbal cures and traditional healers. Folklore provides therapeutic knowledge, an ecological ethic and moral compass that helps societies live sustainably and pass down information. The study contributes to worldwide discussions on intangible cultural heritage and knowledge system decolonization by placing these tales in cultural and public health contexts. It concludes that folklore is a living repository of medical epistemologies and a significant resource for culturally grounded health discourse in Indonesia and beyond.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

calls

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

CaLLs (Journal of Culture, Arts, Literature, and Linguistics) published by Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Mulawarman and published in June and December. CaLLs welcome articles and research reports utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to the study of culture. The object materials of the study ...