On September 30, 1988, Burkina Faso had only 26 reported cases of AIDS. By March 20, 1992, there were 1263 reported cases. Burkina Faso officials focus on AIDS prevention. Heterosexual transmission of HIV predominates in Africa. There are observable behaviors, practices, and beliefs of the Mossi society in Burkina Faso which expose people to HIV or facilitate its transmission. The Mossi is a hierarchical society with the chief having absolute power. The head of the family has absolute power over the women and children. Polygamy is common. The Mossi describe their past as an earthly paradise with no AIDS. This magnificent past allows a faulty perception of one's risk. The cultural tradition of a widow marrying her husband's younger brother appears to be a risk for HIV transmission. This custom is forced on the widow because in the Mossi society a woman with no husband is nothing. If a man dies of AIDS and has infected some or all of his wives, the younger brother(s) will in turn become infected. On the other hand, a younger brother may be HIV infected and, upon marrying his deceased brother's wife or wives, he infects her or them. Uncircumcised males and females are stigmatized and marginalized in the Mossi society. Nonsterilized instruments are used to perform genital mutilations and are used on several persons. Traditional vaccinations by cutaneous scarification and treatment of sores and cutaneomucous lesions are other possible ways HIV may be transmitted among the Mossi. Preparing the cadaver is done without gloves and, in cases of AIDS, exposes the preparers to open lesions. Serious obstacles to HIV prevention campaigns are erroneous beliefs about the modes of HIV transmission, the acculturated fatalistic attitude among youth that one contracts AIDS whether or not one takes precautions, and the attitude that AIDS comes from elsewhere.