When you are born in Tanzania as an albino you have two options. Either your parents murder you not to bring them bad lack, or they let you live however other people will murder you because parts of your body will bring them good luck, says Iva Skochova in her article Black Market With White Skin published in Lidove noviny, September 3, 2010.
She continues that it is believed in Tazania that albinos are something like white ghosts and posses supernatural powers. Their bodies are believed to have miraculous effects on those who consume them. Their blood or nostrum from their bones guarantees immediate prosperity according to local superstition. Witchdoctors recommend albino skin as a proven method how to cure AIDS.
This year ten people have been sentenced to death in Tanzania for killing albino. African Albinos Network revealed that at least 56 albinos were killed in last three years. The reason for worsen situation is the economy of the country. Many people live in such poor conditions they would do anything to get some money.
Albinism afflicts one in twenty thousand people in population, but in Tanzania it is seven times more than that. The Tanzania Albino Society claims there are 150 000 albinos in the country of population 41,048,532 (as of January 2010). Not even scientists know why this is so.
Regardless reasons for albinism, albinos in Africa is extremely dangerous because their skin is not protected by pigment and they suffer burns and skin cancer.
Tanzanian government concentrated all albino children from Mwanza area to primary school Mitindo in March 2007 where they can be better protected before people who want to kill them. It is 62 of them and they stay at school even during holidays as it is not safe for them back home.
Iva Skochova ends her article that albinism can not be cured. If one of the parents is albino, it is 50% chance child will be too, if both parents are albinos, genetic transfer of disease is 100%.
Source of information: http://www.lidovky.cz/cerny-trh-s-bilou-kuzi-06m-/ln_noviny.asp?c=A100903_100009_ln_noviny_sko&klic=238688&mes=100903_1
Title photo: Google.
Hi Radka, greetings from Tanzania!
Yesterday I realised how many albinos I have seen during my short stay here - dozens. I am surprised by the huge number of people with this disorder here - I remember that throughout my whole over yearly stay in Uganda I might have seen only one albino!
As my internet is so slow that it finds it hard to process even this comment, I don’t have good research tools on me and the locals seem not to know where the phenomenon comes from - do you mind checking somewhere about the reason for this huge number here?
If the proportion should be about the same in all of the East African Community, what is happening to all the albinos in other countries I visited like Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, I wonder?
Tanzania seems to make headlines with the ‘hunted albinism’ problem, but I wonder if other countries don’t stay behind…?
OK, managed to find something more:
‘The prevalence in parts of Africa, however, is far higher than the global average. Albinos make up about one in 4,000 people in South Africa and perhaps one in 5,000 in Nigeria. According to a 2006 review published in the journal BMC Public Health, the prevalence in Tanzania is one in 1,400, but this estimate is based on incomplete data.’
source: http://www.slate.com/id/2208026/
Still, the difference in proportion compared to other African countries seems not to be that big…
Shocking stuff.
@ Hi Helen, thanks for your field investigation. Maybe you can find more on the topic on the spot while you are there?
@ Clare, yes, it is.
It really beggars belief doesn’t it! Eating another human being to bring you prosperity, that’s is some warped logic… You have to wonder where these superstitions arise from.
As a person with albinism - an African with albinism, I always find it sad when people characterize the condition as a “disorder.” Thing is, every single one of us, by virtue of having DNA that is unique from the other, is a walking disorder. We are all mutations. The uniqueness of our DNA proves it. The fact that some persons’ mutations are more visible does not give us liberty to call them disordered genetically.
Whenever you think of how to help the horrible situation of killings of persons with albinism in sub Sahran Africa, think of starting with little things that help a great deal such as changing your language so that it can show more respect and tact. And perhaps, just perhaps, the misunderstanding around the condition will begin to dissipate along with other similar issues that persons with albinism face.
Please note that I am not blaming you for anything. It is waht you were taught about the condition. But I am writing to appeal to you since your interest in the issue shows that you are a reasonable person who will undrstand the good faith of my comments.
Thanks sincerely
Kay
Afrian with Albinism.
Dear Kay,
thank you for your comment. You are right - we are all unique.
You are also right that education makes a difference. People (in general) are caught in stereotypes, prejudices and “labelling”. It is not easy to break this and education can help a lot.
I wrote my article because I wanted to attract attention to the situation that Tanzanian albinos have to face. I certainly did not want to harm anyone feelings or put labels.
Thank you again for your comment as it added another dimension to my post. Your prospect is very valuable not only to me, but anyone who will read it.
All the very best to you and best regards,
Radka