FEATURE: Tanzanian Albinos Inside Out

Albinos have long been stigmatized in society, particularly in rural areas where education about the genetic condition is low. In East Africa, and Tanzania in particular, the albino population is extremely high compared to the global population, and the albino community sometimes finds itself the victim of brutal attacks.

Albino people are sometimes thought to have magical powers

Some people believe that albinos possess magical powers, including the ability to transmit prosperity to others. This is the result of a severe lack of education about albinism, its genetic causes, and the rarity with which it is seen around the world.

Albino body parts are prized by witchcraft practitioners

People who practice witchcraft reportedly pay as much as $75,000 for a complete sets of albino body parts. These have been used in rituals, concoctions, and potions in an attempt to transmit the supposed magical properties.

Witch doctors have been arrested for attacks on albino people

As of mid-March 2015, more than 200 witchdoctors and traditional healers were arrested in Tanzania in connection with attacks on albino people. In January 2015, Tanzania officially banned witchdoctors from practicing in the hopes of curbing the killings.

Graves of albinos have been dug up and desecrated

Due to the demand for albino body parts, some people have gone so far as to dig up albinos’ graves and steal parts. Often the graves of albinos are sealed with concrete to keep out grave robbers.

Conversely, albinos are also perceived to be cursed

While witch doctors have propagated the notion that albinos have positive magical properties, others believe that albinos are cursed and bring bad luck. This has led to high rates of infanticide among albino babies.

DailyMail.co.uk

Albinism has been linked to inbreeding

Albinism is a genetic condition that researchers have recently linked to inbreeding. Both parents, who may or may not be albinos, must carry the gene to pass it on to the child. In Western countries, the incidence of albinism is one in 20,000 people. In East African countries such as Tanzania, it’s closer to one in 1,400 people.

Many albinos in Tanzania have migrated to urban areas for safety

In Tanzania, where the highest rate of albinism exists in the world, a number of albinos have moved to the Dar es Salaam area. Due to the persecution in rural areas, many feel safer in an urban setting where the attacks are less frequent.

Women are often accused of infidelity if they give birth to an albino child

Due to the lack of education about albinism and its origins, fathers often accuse mother of infidelity if they give birth to albino children. Mothers can be accused of being unfaithful with a white man, or the child is thought to be the ghost of a European colonist.
-AFK Insider