Mixing Medicines: Ecologies of Care in Buddhist Siberia

Mixing Medicines explores the institutionalization of Tibetan medicine in Buryatia, Russia, challenging center-periphery models and showing how a therapeutic life mediated by traditional medicines depends on a dense collective mingling of human and non-human worlds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Traditional medicine continues to hold a significant place in modern Russia, often being perceived as either a lingering legacy from the pre-Soviet era or a reflection of the challenges faced by a transitioning society. This appeal has been further complicated by the notion that it is either a symptom of capitalist growth or a nostalgic longing for the disappearing Soviet modes of life. In an effort to challenge these prevailing narratives, Mixing Medicines takes a fresh perspective by exploring the institutionalization of Tibetan medicine in the semi-autonomous indigenous republic of Buryatia, located in Southeastern Siberia.

The book offers an ethnographic account of this therapeutic practice, which is rooted in botanical knowledge and is considered both foreign and international, yet also deeply embedded within the Buddhist regions of Russia. By highlighting the cosmopolitan nature of Tibetan medicine and the culturally specific origins of biomedicine, the book challenges the notion of isolation and political marginalization often associated with these regions.

Through its exploration of the therapeutic life mediated by traditional medicines, the book argues that such practices are not merely a response to societal abandonment but rather depend on a complex interplay between human and non-human worlds. It suggests that a therapeutic life that incorporates these practices fosters a sense of rootedness and reshapes regional and national conversations about care, history, and belonging.

The author, Elena Chudakova, emphasizes that a therapeutic life that is intertwined with the practices of traditional medicines goes beyond individual healing and becomes a means of reconnecting with the broader social and ecological context. She argues that this mingling of human and non-human worlds creates new possibilities for understanding and navigating the complexities of contemporary life.

Mixing Medicines offers a valuable contribution to the field of medical anthropology by challenging prevailing narratives and highlighting the rich diversity of therapeutic practices across different cultures. It provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of healthcare systems and the ways in which traditional medicines continue to play a vital role in shaping local identities and communities.

In conclusion, Mixing Medicines is a thought-provoking book that offers a fresh perspective on the institutionalization of Tibetan medicine in Russia. By challenging prevailing narratives and highlighting the interconnectedness of human and non-human worlds, the book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of healthcare systems, cultural diversity, and the role of traditional medicines in shaping contemporary life.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780823294305