Playing for Life is a survey of African performance about HIV/AIDS. The work provides an introduction to the study of Africa through performance, as well as supplying information about a sampling of performance resources. Also, it aims to show how Africans are working to harness the energy of performance to help address the AIDS pandemic.

This book focuses chiefly on the AIDS epidemic/AIDS performances in two African countries, South Africa and Mali. The differnces between the countries by most social indicators, such as economy, religion, geography and climate, colonial history, pre-colonial history, and nature and severity of the AIDS epidemic, provide contrast from one another.

The book includes maps, charts, and photographs. The chapters have been illustrated with audio and video clips featured on the accompanying compact disc (CD). A 20-minute documentary, AIDS and the Arts in Africa, which provides a visual summary of the book, may be purchased separately.

Royalties from Playing for Life will be donated to support projects for AIDS orphans in South Africa and Mali.

Date Published: April 2003