Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – One of the hidden tragedies of Africa is that of the albinos, especially those living in eastern Africa (Tanzania and Burundi), who are discriminated against and in some cases killed or mutilated in order to obtain their body parts for use in “magic” rituals. In 2008, in Tanzania, at least 30 albinos were killed, not to mention those who suffered mutilations. There are also cases, although on a less frequent basis, in other central-eastern African nations, especially in Mozambique, in which organs (mainly genitals, arms, hands, and ears, and in some cases blood) are on high “demand” from witch-doctors to create “magic” potions that they then sell at a high cost. President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, in early April 2008 and following the murder (with exportation of various organs) of an albino man and the attack of his wife (also albino) who survived by a miracle, unleashed a literal “witch-hunt.” In the last months of 2008, 80 witch-doctors were arrested. However, it is a difficult phenomenon to eradicate, given its deep roots in some African cultures.
The nearly 200,000 albinos of Tanzania live in a tough situation, in spite of government efforts to protect them and block the witches' criminal activity. A similar situation occurs on the border with Burundi, where last year there were 6 cases of albinos who were murdered (and a seventh that had disappeared). The last episode took place on December 30 in Muzenge (to the east of the country), when a group of criminals killed an 8 year-old albino boy in order to later cut off his arms. The inhabitants of the town managed to capture the criminals and took justice in their own hands before the police arrived on the scene. According to the press in Burundi, the amputated body parts of Burundi albinos are sold in Tanzania for 600 million shillings (about 380,000 Euros), where they are used to make good-luck charms used by gold diggers. This is why armed bands attack homes with albino family members. The situation has forced local authorities to begin a program to reassign albino persons to protected communities.
There are also albinos in other parts of Africa and while they are not attacked as they are in Burundi and Tanzania, they are discriminated against. In Senegal, for example, they are mistrusted and the people avoid sitting near them on public transportations. There are also verbal insults at times. In terms of healthcare, the albinos are not offered assistance from local authorities in obtaining protective creams, lenses, and other means of solar protection. Skin cancer is very widespread among African albinos and yet it could be prevented with the proper measures.
Albinism is caused by a hereditary gene that implies the reduction or lack of melanin (which is essential and protecting the skin from sun rays). While in Europe, only one in 20,000 people is affected by the disease, in Africa the rate is one in every 1,100 people. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 8/1/2009)
