Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | AIDS in Malawi: contemporary discourse and cultural continuities |
Author: | Forster, Peter G. |
Year: | 2001 |
Periodical: | African Studies |
Volume: | 60 |
Issue: | 2 |
Period: | December |
Pages: | 245-261 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Malawi |
Subjects: | Chewa Yao AIDS Health and Nutrition Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) |
External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00020180120100339 |
Abstract: | This paper examines informal comments, gossip and off-the-cuff remarks concerning AIDS and AIDS-related matters in Malawi in order to test the hypothesis that preexisting cultural factors are relevant to the response to AIDS control messages. Research was carried out in 1993 and 1995 among the Yao and Chewa in Zomba District, Southern Region of Malawi. Information obtained was related to the existing ethnographic literature concerning the people among whom the research was conducted. Three areas of possible continuity of cultural values relating to domestic relations are explored, namely gender relations, marriage and matriliny, and initiations. The relevance of cosmological beliefs concerning death and illness is examined and, finally, cultural continuities are considered in their relationship to the political sphere, and to the acceptance or rejection of condoms. The hypothesis that preexisting cultural factors are relevant to the response to AIDS control messages is shown to be valid. Bibliogr., ref. |