ABSTRACT:
The term tribe refers to a social group that exists outside or on the margins of modern state systems, often characterized by a shared sense of identity, common ancestry, language, customs, and traditional territory. “Tribal health is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing the cultural, social, and ecological determinants of health for indigenous people, often marked by high levels of malnutrition, infectious diseases, and maternal mortality.” (MoHFW & Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 2018) Midwife practice, also referred to as midwifery, encompasses the care, knowledge systems, skills, and rituals traditionally or professionally used to support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. In both institutional and indigenous contexts, midwives play a vital role in reproductive and community health. The present study was conducted in Baiga-inhabited villages of Taregaon Development Block in Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh state. Key informants of present study are 4 traditional birth attendants ‘dais’, 1 Community health worker ‘mitanin’, 10 women of that tribe (to cross-validate the work and narratives of the ‘dais’). Data collection in present study through, non-participant observation, Interview, Structured Schedule, Non-participant observation, Case study, Audio recording, Photography. And Secondary data collection from Research papers, Journals, Articles, Books, Thesis, Census report. this study not only preserves and documents the disappearing legacy of Baiga midwifery but also raises important questions about sustainability, recognition, and inclusivity in tribal health care systems. It urges policymakers, anthropologists, and public health professionals to rethink healthcare delivery in tribal settings—not just from a clinical lens, but from a holistic and humanistic perspective.
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