HEAL-STREAM DIPLOMACY: RECIPROCAL CIRCULATION OF TRADITIONAL HEALING SYSTEMS BETWEEN INDIAN AND AFRICA

Abstract

The historical connections between India and Africa reveal a pattern of circulation of indigenous knowledge between the Coasts on the either side of the Indian Ocean. The political engagements and commerce have always been highlighted as the core dimensions of relations between the regions and the exchange of indigenous healing systems or other cultural practices as a byproduct of the former. The concerns regarding the affordability and accessibility of modern medicines to a large population in the countries lacking adequate modern medicine facilities has contributed towards the resurgence in the confidence in the traditional practices of healing. The persistent health challenges as rising healthcare costs, deficient health services or mounting burden of lifestyle diseases has renewed the focus of the traditional healing systems to be integral to any country‟s health system. The increasing efficacy of the traditional medicines in recent times has prompted it to become an integral part of contemporary South-South cooperation. Thus, the collaboration in traditional medicines strengthens the healthcare system within the country and has the potential to become a soft power tool for extending the influence on the other countries. Circulation of traditional healing systems have a potential to become a core soft power diplomacy tool for global cooperation in the contemporary times. Here is introduced a new concept of “Heal-Stream Diplomacy” to mean circulation of traditional healing systems using indigenous or traditional healing knowledge to build international bridges indicating its dynamic nature. The paper argues that the traditional healing systems have been circulated between and among the coastal communities on the either side of the Indian Ocean littoral through the Indian Ocean trading networks for a long time and in contemporary times streaming through digital platforms; and at each interaction it evolved and adapted to local situations. The paper examines the continued importance of traditional medicines and healing practices in the contemporary times. The paper concludes that being a tool of soft power diplomacy, collaboration in traditional healing Systems (THS) can advance strategic diplomatic objectives of both India and Africa.