ABSTRACT
Most residents’ theories explaining the genesis of HIV/AIDS in Nkulumane were neither accident theories nor theories implicating health professionals. Instead, these theories linked the epidemic to other culprits, most of whom were from Western, developed nations. Frequently, Zimbabweans suspected white people—usually Americans—and their governments of evil acts that somehow triggered the epidemic. These agents were considered “smart,” with the pejorative connotation explained earlier and its resonance with sorcery beliefs. People with whom I spoke thought these agents had a vested interest in harming black Zimbabweans. Similar views have been reported elsewhere and are not specific to Zimbabwe. 1
