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White liver: a cultural disorder resembling AIDS
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Hoodoo folk beliefs describe "white liver," a condition resembling AIDS, involving sexual excess and partner deaths. This cultural concept may articulate contemporary fears and understanding of the AIDS epidemic.
Area of Science:
- Medical Anthropology
- Folkloristics
- Public Health
Background:
- Hoodoo, a folk belief system among Black Americans, encompasses conjuration and rootwork.
- The concept of "white liver" is an aspect of Hoodoo.
- This condition predates the modern AIDS epidemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the Hoodoo folk concept of "white liver."
- To highlight its resemblance to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- To explore its significance in contemporary Black culture regarding AIDS.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive analysis of Hoodoo belief systems.
- Comparative analysis of "white liver" characteristics with AIDS symptoms and cultural interpretations.
Main Results:
- "White liver" describes a condition of sexual excess leading to the wasting death of sexual partners.
- The characteristics of "white liver" bear a striking resemblance to AIDS.
- This folk concept may serve as a cultural framework for understanding or expressing fear of AIDS.
Conclusions:
- The Hoodoo concept of "white liver" offers a culturally relevant lens for understanding AIDS within the Black community.
- Folk beliefs can provide frameworks for articulating responses to health crises.
- Further research can explore the intersection of cultural beliefs and public health communication.