1st Edition

The Anthropology of Drugs

By Neil Carrier, Lisa L. Gezon Copyright 2023
204 Pages
by Routledge

204 Pages
by Routledge

204 Pages
by Routledge

From khat to kava to ketamine, drugs are constitutive parts of cultures, identities, economies and livelihoods. This much-needed book is a clear introduction to the anthropology of drugs, providing a cutting-edge and accessible overview of the topic. The authors examine and assess the following key topics: How drugs feature in anthropology and the work of anthropologists and the general role... Read more

1. Introducing the Anthropology of Drugs  2. Anthropological Themes and Approaches in the Study of Drugs  3. Drugs in Archaeological and Historical Perspectives  4. Food of the Gods?: Psychedelics, spirits and healing  5. Stimulating Sociality  6. Perspectives on Addiction in Anthropology 7. Drug Economies, Livelihoods and Development  8. The Drug War and its Effects  9. Postlude: Engagements and Future Directions

Biography

Neil Carrier is Associate Professor in Social Anthropology at the University of Bristol, UK. He has conducted much research into the production, trade and consumption of khat in Kenya and beyond, as well as further research into the theme of drugs, including a current project on cannabis in Africa. Wider interests include film, photography and urban development in Kenya.

Lisa L. Gezon is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, USA. She has studied political ecology and protected area management in Madagascar. She developed an interest in the production, trade and consumption of khat in northern Madagascar because of its perceived threat to the protected forest. She has also studied multiple subjects related to health and wellness on topics such as tourism, yoga and exercise on a bicycle-pedestrian trail.