Jhakris and the urban Nepali conflict : chaos and confusion

This study explored the intercultural conflict between urban Nepalis, who believe in Western medicine, and the Jhakris, Nepalese traditional healers. Nepalis in Western influenced urban areas made traditional healing practices illegal, resulting in violent arrests and beatings of Jhakris by police and occasional violent retaliation by Jhakris. This research sought to understand the roots of the intercultural conflict between the urban Nepali society and the Jhakris, and suggest possible solutions to reduce this intercultural conflict. Interviews were conducted with eight members of each group. The data were analyzed by using a conflict styles framework. Westernized members of urban Nepali society ranked high on the Competing conflict style and the Jhakri community ranked high in Compromise and Problem-Solving styles. The perceived grievances of each group were summarized and it was concluded that people in both groups who have a choice of Western and Jhakri healing options might be best placed to begin working toward negotiation and mediation