Witches, Westerners, and HIV : AIDS and Cultures of Blame in Africa

A witch's curse, an imperialist conspiracy, a racist plot—HIV/AIDS is a catastrophic health crisis with complex cultural dimensions. From small villages to the international system, explanations of where it comes from, who gets it, and who dies are tied to political agendas, religious beliefs, and the psychology of devastating grief. Frequently these explanations conflict with science and clash with prevention and treatment programs. In Witches, Westerners, and HIV Alexander Rödlach draws on a decade of research and work in Zimbabwe to compare beliefs about witchcraft and conspiracy theories surrounding HIV/AIDS in Africa. He shows how both types of beliefs are part of a process of blaming others for AIDS, a process that occurs around the globe but takes on local, culturally specific forms. He also demonstrates the impact of these beliefs on public health and advocacy programs, arguing that cultural misunderstandings contribute to the failure of many well-intentioned efforts. This insightful book provides a cultural perspective essential for everyone interested in AIDS and cross-cultural health issues.

A witch's curse, an imperialist conspiracy, a racist plot—HIV/AIDS is a catastrophic health crisis with complex cultural dimensions. From small villages to the international system, explanations of where it comes from, who gets it, and who dies are tied to political agendas, religious beliefs, and the psychology of devastating grief. Frequently these explanations conflict with science and clash with prevention and treatment programs. In Witches, Westerners, and HIV Alexander Rödlach draws on a decade of research and work in Zimbabwe to compare beliefs about witchcraft and conspiracy theories surrounding HIV/AIDS in Africa. He shows how both types of beliefs are part of a process of blaming others for AIDS, a process that occurs around the globe but takes on local, culturally specific forms. He also demonstrates the impact of these beliefs on public health and advocacy programs, arguing that cultural misunderstandings contribute to the failure of many well-intentioned efforts. This insightful book provides a cultural perspective essential for everyone interested in AIDS and cross-cultural health issues.

Contents ......Page 6 Acknowledgments ......Page 8 Introduction ......Page 12 Part I: The Cultural Life of HIV/AIDS ......Page 28 1. Investigating Sorcery and Conspiracy ......Page 30 2. HIV/AIDS as Personal Experience ......Page 46 Part II: HIV/AIDS and Sorcery ......Page 60 3. The Sorcery Paradigm ......Page 62 4. A Sorcerer's Servant-Being ......Page 84 5. Infidelity and Sorcery ......Page 98 Part III: HIV/AIDS and Conspiracy ......Page 116 6. Conspiracy Paradigms ......Page 118 7. Conspiracy Theories Involving Healthcare Providers ......Page 146 8. Conspiracy Theories Involving Westerners ......Page 152 Part IV: The Implications of Culture ......Page 168 9. Comparing Theories of Blame ......Page 170 10. Applications for the AIDS Crisis ......Page 186 Glossary ......Page 200 Bibliography ......Page 202 Index ......Page 250 About the Author ......Page 258 A witch's curse, an imperialist conspiracy, a racist plot - HIV/AIDS is a catastrophic health crisis with complex cultural dimensions. Explanations of where it comes from, who gets it, and who dies are tied to political agendas, religious beliefs, and the psychology of devastating grief. Witches, Westerners, and HIV is the first in-depth study investigating and comparing beliefs about witchcraft and conspiracies surrounding HIV/AIDS in Africa. Alexander Rödlach examines the nature of these beliefs as well as their importance for HIV/AIDS advocacy and public health programs, explaining why cultural misunderstandings are contributing to the failure of many well-intentioned efforts. (Publisher)