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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:AIDS in Malawi: contemporary discourse and cultural continuities
Author:Forster, Peter G.ISNI
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.
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