This study focuses on the cultural practices that contribute to the increase of HIV and
AIDS in Nsanje district of Malawi. The study also proves the hypothesis that the
African Evangelical Church has not responded effectively to the cultural practices that
influence the spread of HIV. As a result, this has led to the high prevalence rate of
HIV in the Nsanje district.
Data was collected using content analysis.
The findings of this research are that people of Nsanje district have maintained their
cultural practices within the context of HIV and AIDS. The key cultural practices that
have been maintained are widow cleansing, widow inheritance, bonus wife, fisi
(hyena) custom, polygamy and bzyade. The study has also found that sexual
intercourse is used in most rituals as a tool for purification. It is a great challenge for
church and the community to modify or stop these cultural practices because some of
the people in Nsanje district claim that these cultural practices have been practiced
since the existence of their forefathers in Nsanje district.
The study has also found that there are multiple sexual partners involved in the sexual
rituals which increase high risk of the spread of HIV. Therefore, the study
recommends that the community together with the church should take a stand in
responding to the cultural practices in an attempt to combat the spread of HIV.
