ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Sub-Saharan Africa, Leprosy, Heteronormativity
16 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
Leprosy = same disease everywhere but experienced and understood differently. Cause of disease is understood differently in various societies. In many parts of the world, disease is not understood to be caused by viruses, bacteria, malignancy or environmental factors (eg. poor diet, lack of exercise, stress), but by external forces like witchcraft. An individual who is widely believed to be able to manipulate spirits, via magic, for their own purposes. Witches are normally perceived as malevolent or evil. Those accused can be men, women, young and old. Witchcraft accusations are a means of restoring order, peace, health and equilibrium in many societies. Fly at night, kill and eat children. Illnesses/diseases like flu, tuberculosis, malaria, and hiv infection are blamed on witches. Are often scapegoated as the problem or cause of illness. In some communities, vaginal fluids are believed to cure men afflicted with hiv. Culture of heteronormative masculinity causes increase infections. Ghana and south africa witch colonies.
