Routledge Shea Butter Republic - Routledge Anthropology & Sociology Book

Explore the complex history of a global commodity in Shea Butter Republic by Routledge. This ethnographic study examines how shea butter (butyrospermin parkii) has transitioned from a traditional resource used by rural West African women into a high-priced luxury item for cosmopolitan consumers. For over a century, shea butter has served diverse purposes, including cooking, soap making, leatherworking, and medical use. Most notably, it has functioned as a vital substitute for cocoa butter in chocolate production. This book tracks the evolution of shea from its pre-industrial roots to its current status in the global market. It investigates how the product caters to international demands for exotic cosmetic and medicinal goods. Readers will gain insight into the economic and social shifts that occur when an indigenous resource enters the world stage. This work is an essential read for those interested in the intersection of global markets, state power, and traditional production methods.