New Cures, Old Medicines: Women and the Commercialization of Traditional Medicine in Bolivia

In this newest addition to the Case Study in Cultural Anthropology series, anthropologist Lynn Sikkink takes us on a journey into the diverse marketplace settings of Bolivia to explore the practice and meaning of traditional medicine. Through her focus on the collection, processing, distribution, and sale of herbs and medicines at a variety of marketplace venues--from rural to urban, highlands to lowlands, market stall to shop--Sikkink introduces students to the field and practice of medical as well as economic anthropology. Her approach also introduces students to the rich perspectives offered by cultural anthropology in general.