SECRET KNOWLEDGE: THE SPELLS AND BONE SETTING
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Abstract
Badmin Chimiddorj is a Torghut herder in the Dörböljin pasture, Bayangol. Although he did not receive a proper education, he inherited a special spell from his father and is renowned among the Torghuts in Bayangol for his secret knowledge. Chimiddorj often finds a place to privately practice his spell on the 8th, 15th, and 30th of each month to strengthen its power. When he was young, his father trained him on these days and tested his knowledge. In May, Chimiddorj accompanied his father to a place known as Irgiin Gol in a deep mountain, where they both cast spells on a plant known as “Manch,” a poisonous plant that causes death if livestock consumes it. After Chimiddorj successfully cast a spell to wither the Manch, his father confirmed his ability to cure certain diseases and entrusted him with treating people after he turned 25 years old. Following his father's instructions, Chimiddorj has treated various skin diseases, including swollen wounds and tooth pain. Among his patients were those whom doctors in hospitals had deemed incurable. Similarly, some diseases, such as Tsahildag and Mogoin Tolv, were designated by professional doctors as either incurable or without improvement after long-term chemotherapy but were easily cured after Chimiddorj cast his spell for seven or fifteen days. Although professional doctors often see people like Chimiddorj as practising superstition, they can treat patients whom those professionals are unable to help. However, his spell also affects him adversely. He lost all of his teeth due to the spell he conducts, and he sometimes experiences insomnia or breathing difficulties after treatments. Consequently, he abstains from alcohol during and after treating patients. Regarding the knowledge of spells, Chimiddorj believes his spells have close connections to Buddhism, if not directly. In addition to his knowledge of spells, Chimiddorj also practises bone setting, which he self-taught from setting livestock bones on pasturelands. He once even set his own leg after falling off a horse. Chimiddorj believes that the traditional way of bone setting is easier as long as the bone is broken without internal incisions or joint dislocation and heals much faster than modern internal fixation methods, such as metal plates and screws, which complicate the healing process.