Oral traditions like jamu making rely on continuity of practice from one generation to another. In contrast, a literary tradition does not.
The need to ensure continuity is often a priority for oral traditions and the search for the next generation of practitioners is critical to its survival.
Jamu making is a form of haptic heritage that is often best transmitted along the oral traditions requiring personal contact from expert to novice through a likely apprenticeship.
Our line of continuity was almost disconnected as I only gained interest in jamu making barely a few years before my mother passed on. Having made some jamu with her was all that remained of the haptic experience.
It was this haptic experience that enabled me to readily understand and possibly learn jamu making from other sources and references readily. This is when the literary traditions of publications and written books becomes valuable.
I learned the value of having both oral and literary traditions when I studied and research on the idea of pusaka at the Keraton Surakarta in 2003-2006. Now I have experienced it’s value first hand.
In the safeguarding and continuity of medicinal heritage or traditional medicine, we need to ensure the continued transmission of the oral traditions which has to be supplemented with the literary tradition through publications. This is particularly important for haptice heritage like jamu making, massage therapy and especially pre/post natal care.
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