In Saling Gewog’s Thridangbi Village in Monggar, many people still turn to local healers for joint dislocations, bone fractures or muscle sprains. One such healer is an 86-year-old man who treats several patients every day. While these traditional practices are deeply rooted in the community, medical experts warn they can be risky. Improper handling could cause severe nerve damage, permanent disability, or worsen injuries. This report from our reporter in Monggar highlights the need to balance cultural practices while ensuring essential health and safety.
Popularly known as Meme Nado, he is a joyful man who often finds peace in chanting prayers and playing the flute, which keeps his spirits high. But his leisure time is often interrupted by people seeking his healing skills.
Today, it is Thukten Chophel, in his early 30s from Gyalpozhing, who has come for help after spraining his ankle while playing football. Thukten is not alone; Nado is already attending to two women who have travelled from Monggar town seeking his healing.
“I heard about Meme Nado recently, and one of my friends suggested visiting Meme, so I tagged along. I had pain in my knees and shoulder for no good reason. For now, it feels a little lighter, only later I can tell if it’s really healed,” said Sonam Pelden, a resident of Monggar.
“I sprained my ankle recently while playing futsal. I heard about Meme Nado’s expertise in healing such ailments, so I came here. I think he has a lot of experience because the way he treats is very soft and gentle. Meme Nado uses hot ashes to heat up the sprained area and then massages gently while fixing the dislocations and sprains. I feel relieved as of now,” said Pema Zangmo, another resident of Monggar.
“When I sprained my ankle, my friends recommended that I go to Meme Nado, and he is also famous on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, so I came here for treatment. I just got treated for now, I am hopeful that it will get better because everybody said it does,” said Thukten Chophel, a resident of Gyalpozhing.
Nado’s journey as a healer began when he was 12 years old, while helping his uncle herd cattle. When a cow dislocated its leg, his uncle guided him to pull and twist it back into place. And a loud pop confirmed success.
This sparked his passion for healing. From cows to chickens, residents soon brought injured animals to Nado. Over time, he gained confidence and began treating people for aches and sprains. Today, he has over seven decades of experience.
“I continue to do it because it is a virtuous act and benefits all. I will continue to practice it as long as people can benefit from my experience and skill. I have experience in treating bone-related and nerve-related ailments, such as neck, mouth, and facial disorientation. I had hands-on experience from training on animals, and later I realised most of the bone structures are similar in people as well. So, I feel it with my hand and do it to people. That’s how I learned it,” said Nado, Local healer, Thridangbi, Monggar.
Meanwhile, medical experts say that such treatments can be dangerous, sometimes leading to amputation or even death.
Unlike modern medicine, which is evidence-based and carefully diagnosed, traditional bone-setting practices rely on experience, hearsay and ancestral knowledge.
“Firstly, it will delay the treatment; patients will not be able to come to us on time. Secondly, there is a risk of infection, and also some cases might be related to bone tumours or soft tissue infections, which they will take it for some sort of bone fractures or dislocation. If they intervene on such diseases, then the patient will get late to us and we will be helpless by then,” said Nim Dorji, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Monggar Regional Referral Hospital.
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, people in Monggar still turn to local healers for treatment.
Hospital records show there are over 300 local healers in Monggar. For Meme Nado, healing is a virtuous act, a way to serve the community while accumulating merit.
Namgay Wangchuk, Monggar
Edited by Sonam Pem
