Traditional Knowledge
Sri Lanka, an island nation owing to a rich history on the intangible cultural heritage of humanity interwoven with day to day life, holds utmost importance. Traditional knowledge (TK) is a living body of knowledge, skills and practices that are developed, sustained and passed on from generation to generation within a community; forming a part of a people’s cultural and spiritual identity. Traditional knowledge on cultivation practices, pest and disease management, medicinal value associated with traditional, local plants and practices is prevalently seen amongst traditional knowledge in Sri Lanka. However, with generational lapses, modernization and urbanization trends have shifted away from the usage of the traditional knowledge and found to be diminishing. Diverse forms of traditional knowledge existed for medical treatments for a wide range of diseases including viral, bacterial and fungal; forms of surgeries; forms of mental illnesses; and on healthy living and well-being of individuals and communities. Some forms of traditional healing in Sri Lanka include, Ayurveda, Keraminiya, Horiwila Kadum bidum (Orthopaedics), Rasa Shastra, specialized indigenous eye doctors, the Homoeopathic system of medicine and Acupuncture. (Nirekha De Silva, 2013).
The BFN project aims to create awareness and disseminate traditional knowledge contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use for improved human nutrition, health and wellbeing.
A glimpse of traditional knowledge from the Veda Mahatha,
P.M.G. Rambanda from Udukumbura, Ududumbara.
Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal & Nutritional Value of Local Root & Tuber Crops
දේශීය වැල් අල බෝග ආශ්රිත ඖෂධීය හා පෝෂණමය වටිනාකම පිළිබද පාරම්පරික දැනුම
Traditional Knowledge on Human Health and related Diseases
මානව සෞඛ්ය හා සම්බන්ධ රෝග පිළිබඳ සාම්ප්රදායික දැනුම
