Curative Significance of Indigenous Foods in Karimabad, Hunza

Abstract

This article explores the curative value of indigenous food practices among the residents of Karimabad, Hunza, using original ethnographic fieldwork. The study draws upon three months of intensive field research using participant observation, structured interviews, and household surveys. The findings indicate that several local dishes and medicinal plants are systematically used to prevent and treat health issues ranging from digestive disorders to postnatal weakness. With an aging population that experiences remarkably low levels of chronic disease, the study underscores the relevance of integrating local food knowledge into public health policy. Preserving indigenous food systems is not only a cultural priority but a public health imperative.