THE SALIENCE OF MEDICAL CULTURE IN AMAZONIAN ECUADOR

Abstract

This thesis explores the salience of medical culture in the Upper Amazon region of Ecuador. In particular, it will focus on the Quichua community of Venecia Derecha. The framework for this thesis is based on Murray Last's (1981,1992) concept of "medical culture," which he uses for all things medical that go on in a given society. Careful examination of a medical culture reveals aspects and domains that are more salient, that have a more systematic character. I argue that in the Venecia medical culture, shamans are central to the medical system because they are the creators of power (ushai) and knowledge (yachai). Within introduced medicine and religion, Evangelicalism does provide a system; whereas, biomedicine does not although it is available. Midwifery is not an organized system and constitutes fragmentary knowledge, while making no claim to power. Personal knowledge, though connected to the same sources as shamanism is fragmented and individualized.