Abstract
Various informants explained the AIDS epidemic by referring to two common sorcery beliefs: isidliso and ulunyoka. The first is the generic term for
a variety of poisons, known in southern Africa, which are added to either
food or drink and taken by the unwitting victim.1 Its name expresses this
clearly: the verb ukudla, “to eat,” with the suffix isa, “to make someone
do,” forms the verb ukudlisa, “to make someone eat,” that is the root for
this noun.2 The second belief, ulunyoka, becomes operational after the
victim touches items “doctored” with appropriate poisons.3 These beliefs
typically lead to the concocting of love potions.