Folklore, Gender, and AIDS in Malawi: No Secret Under the Sun (Gender and Cultural Studies in Africa and the Diaspora)

Informal folk narrative genres such as gossip, advice, rumor, and urban legends provide a unique window into popular formations of AIDS and gender conflict in Africa. The first book on the subject to draw primarily on such narratives, this book shows how they provide rich insights into the struggles of people living in an era of social upheaval. Informal folk narrative genres such as gossip, advice, rumor, and urban legends provide a unique lens through which to discern popular formations of gender conflict and AIDS beliefs. This is the first book on AIDS and gender in Africa to draw primarily on such narratives. By exploring tales of love medicine, gossip about romantic rivalries, rumors of mysterious new diseases, marital advice, and stories of rape, among others, it provides rich, personally grounded insights into the everyday struggles of people living in an era marked by social upheaval. Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 1. Introduction 13 2. Advice Is Good Medicine: Marriage, Advice, and the Comforts of Home 45 3. Funny, Yet Sorrowful: Narratives of Empowerment and Empathy in Woman Against Woman Struggles 76 4. “Nobody Fears AIDS, Mphutsi is More Fire”: Disease Rumors in the Age of AIDS Treatment 101 5. Mgoneko : Magical Rape, Media Panic, and Gender-Based Violence 129 Conclusion 172 Notes 175 References 181 Index 193 Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-32 Advice is Good Medicine: Marriage, Advice, and the Comforts of Home....Pages 33-63 Funny, Yet Sorrowful: Narratives of Empowerment and Empathy in Woman Against Woman Struggles....Pages 65-89 “Nobody Fears Aids, Mphutsi is More Fire”: Disease Rumors in the Age of Aids Treatment....Pages 91-118 Mgoneko: Magical Rape, Media Panic, and Gender-Based Violence....Pages 119-161 Conclusion....Pages 163-165 Back Matter....Pages 167-190