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Khalfan Said/AP
Tanzanian Albino, Muadhani Ramadhani,
weaves an Africa tradition carpet at Mnazi
Mmoja grounds in Dares Salaam. (AP)
Tanzanian Albino, Muadhani Ramadhani,
weaves an Africa tradition carpet at Mnazi
Mmoja grounds in Dares Salaam. (AP)
Tanzania’s Albinos Targeted for Body Parts
by findingDulcinea Staff
At least 25 albinos have been murdered since March due to the belief that their body parts are useful in witchcraft.
30-Second Summary
A BBC investigation in Tanzania has found that killings of albinos linked to witchcraft have continued in what local officials say is a growing trade in albino body parts.
One of the most recent victims was a seven-month-old baby who was ordered killed by a witch doctor.
Belief in sorcery is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where many believe that albinos have magical powers and that a potion made from their legs, hair, hands, and blood can lead to wealth. Many albinos in Tanzania, where it is estimated that about one in 3,000 people suffer from the condition, have gone into hiding.
“I feel as if I am being hunted,” said Samuel Mluge, a 49-year-old resident of Dar es Salaam, to the newspaper Scotland on Sunday.
Tanzanian police, in an effort to protect its albino population, are creating lists of local albinos, who are often treated as outcasts.
People with albinism have long suffered persecution in many parts of the world and continue to be the victims of both ordinary discrimination and violent atrocities. In the past, they were often included in circus sideshows and associated with superstitions and magical powers.
It has been reported that albinos in Zimbabwe are suffering widespread rapes, due to the belief that having sexual intercourse with an albino can cure HIV/AIDS.
One of the most recent victims was a seven-month-old baby who was ordered killed by a witch doctor.
Belief in sorcery is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where many believe that albinos have magical powers and that a potion made from their legs, hair, hands, and blood can lead to wealth. Many albinos in Tanzania, where it is estimated that about one in 3,000 people suffer from the condition, have gone into hiding.
“I feel as if I am being hunted,” said Samuel Mluge, a 49-year-old resident of Dar es Salaam, to the newspaper Scotland on Sunday.
Tanzanian police, in an effort to protect its albino population, are creating lists of local albinos, who are often treated as outcasts.
People with albinism have long suffered persecution in many parts of the world and continue to be the victims of both ordinary discrimination and violent atrocities. In the past, they were often included in circus sideshows and associated with superstitions and magical powers.
It has been reported that albinos in Zimbabwe are suffering widespread rapes, due to the belief that having sexual intercourse with an albino can cure HIV/AIDS.
Headline Links: ‘Living in fear: Tanzania’s albinos’
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is putting pressure on police to offer protection to albinos. A BBC investigation, however, has found that many police are being bribed to ignore certain crimes against albinos.
Source: The BBC
Government spokesman Salvator Rweyemamu says that the killings are damaging international opinion of Tanzania at a time when the country is finally starting to make progress in improving its reputation. "This is serious because it continues some of the perceptions of Africa we're trying to run away from," he says.
Source: Scotland on Sunday
Background: ‘Fighting the Stigma of Albinism’
Albinism occurs when a genetic defect prevents the body from producing melanin, which gives color to hair, skin and eyes. It affects about 1 in 20,000 worldwide, according to the National Institutes of Health. It is estimated that about 1 in 17,000 people in the United States suffer from albinism.
Source: ABC News
Related Topics: Albinos in pop culture
In 2003, Wired commented on a resurgence in “pigment-challenged” villains being portrayed by Hollywood, which over the years has been notorious for portraying albinos as villains: “In the old days, the good guys wore white. Now Hollywood's villains are turning pale, and real-life albinos are crying foul as movies like The Matrix: Reloaded arrive with a fresh supply of pigment-challenged bad guys.”
Source: Wired
Reference: The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
NOAH is a non-profit that offers information and support to people with albinism, their families and medical professionals.
Source: The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
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