Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa, 20th Anniversary Edition 20th Anniversary Edition

I had to read this book for an anthropology class. It is not something I would have bought and read on my own, but I enjoyed reading it for the class. It was very interesting and opened up my mind to the different ways in which people live their everyday "normal" lives. If you need it for a class, it's worth buying it for less than $10 (I'm not someone who is interested in majoring in anthropology, so I would not spend a huge amount on it.)This product was delivered on time and was in great condition- as stated when I place the order.Overall, I was happy with this purchase!

I'm currently reading this on my Kindle iPad app for my Anthropology 101 class. While some of what the author writes about can be depressing (FGM, malnourished and dying children, children sick with parasites), it's a very engaging book and does a great job of explaining how life is for the people who live in this part of Africa. Personally, I'm glad this isn't a strictly "academic" book; this book is being assigned in (mostly) introduction anthropology classes, being read by students who probably aren't majoring in anthropology. So, it's actually best that it doesn't read like a textbook because, let's face it, it would be pretty boring if it did.

Once you start this you won’t put it down. Best book I’ve read in a long time. Heavy subject matter, but extremely compelling and easy to read.

Katherine Dettwyler, a medical anthropologist shares her incredible story of studying malnutrition in Mali, West Africa, through her book, Dancing Skeletons. She tells of her journey in search for growth patterns in malnourished children. As a researcher, she is interested in learning what happens to malnourished children as they grow and how they develop into healthy adults.First, Dettwyler strongly believes that "Language is a source of immense power." (Dettwyler,1994). She shares her pride of being able to speak Bambara, the local language. She is able to convince the reader that language is the key to forming strong bonds and creating trust with the target population that one is studying. Her accounts of discussing sensitive topics from female circumcision and sexual foreplay, to the use of contraceptives in an open way with the women is proof of the importance of speaking the language. Dettwyler's ability to speak Bambara gives her an even deeper insight of the community and the reader is able to take away many aspects of the Malian culture. Conversation is not the only thing that connects her to the community. She also becomes part of the community through her actions. She rides the bache a pickup truck used as public transportation, she eats with her fingers, and even bargains at the market, Dettwyler is not just the observer in her story, but also the participant.Second, Dettwyler is able to prove that health is a complex issue to study and that a multidimensional and ecological perspective has to be taken into consideration when conducting research or providing health services. She is shocked when she learns that lack of money is not necessarily the only issue that contributes malnutrition. When she asks women what they would do if given extra money to spend, many women respond by saying they would probably spend it on material goods and not food. She also learns that it is custom for children to eat last and adults to be fed more because adults are the ones that participate in labor. As the dire need of nutrition education becomes a reality, she becomes not just a researcher but also a health educator. The community looks up to her for advice on nutrition and other health care issues. Dettwyler's influence becomes apparent when her nutrition advice is incorporated in a local song.Through the lens of studying malnutrition, Dettwyler is able to shed light to many other health issues. She is exposed to other health issues such as infant mortality, intestinal parasitic infections, gangrene, lack of dental hygiene, pregnancy and death. Her ability to explain and define medical terminology in such a clear way that the reader easily understands is incredible. Her genuine passion for health and anthropology results in a book that will be on the top of many people's list of favorite readings. The reader walks away from the book with the knowledge that language is powerful and that health care issues need to be addressed while taking culture and society into consideration.Reference:Dettwyler, Katherine A. Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland, 1994. Print.

I needed this for an anthropology course, but I’d recommend reading it even just to learn about the author’s experience and to gain more of an understanding of the people she was with.

A narrative of judgement as the author wrestles with the judgement of finding those worthy of her services. This narrative focuses upon the study of the author's thoughts, feelings, past experiences, and need to become the savior to people worldwide. The ethnographic contribution to the study of the peoples of Mali is equivalent to a travel blurb. This book stands as a great learning opportunity regarding positionality and how not to conduct research or conduct oneself as a decent human.

Great book for anyone with an interest in medical anthropology. Well written and a pleasure to read. Full of great insight.

I used this book for a bookreport in my anthropology class and it was fantastic. Well written, humorus and real, easy to understand. I read it all in one weekend because I couldn’t put it down.