Tanzania, famous for the beauty and rich cultural heritage of East Africa, is also known for a dark and terrifying truth. Albino individuals living in the country are in constant danger throughout their lives due to the whiteness of their skin color. In Tanzania, one in every 4 thousand babies is born with albinism due to the narrow gene and chromosome pool. However, this genetic difference leads to brutal attacks on these innocent people due to local religious beliefs and witchcraft practices.
In Tanzania, one of the countries with the narrowest gene and chromosome pool in the world, albinos are born with white skin color. This situation becomes a constant danger for albinos living in a country where the majority are black. Albinos struggle to survive with the fear of being subjected to brutal attacks and killed. The reason for this terrible situation is that they are considered ‘cursed people’ in society and their organs are believed to be ‘healing’.
At the same time, for albinos, protection against the sun poses an even greater challenge than protection from witches. These patients are at risk of deep burns caused by the sun that can quickly turn into cancer. Unfortunately, the production of sun protection products is limited in many African countries. This situation causes rare sunscreens found in pharmacies in countries such as Tanzania to be sold at very high prices. Albinos, who cannot take any precautions against the sun, face the fact that their average lifespan is around 35 years in regions such as Tanzania.
Albinos’ Hands or Feet Are Cut Off for medicinal purposes
Albinism is a genetic disease that occurs as a result of missing or defective pigments that give color to the body. Albinos have very white skin and hair due to little or no pigment. While this genetic difference causes them to have a physically striking appearance, even in regions such as Eastern Europe, this means a more difficult life struggle than black people living in African countries.
According to official data, approximately 15 thousand albinos live in Tanzania. However, local religious beliefs in this country lead to albinos being considered ‘cursed’, resulting in brutal attacks against them. At the same time, the belief that albinos’ organs cure various diseases also triggers these attacks. In attacks, some albinos’ hands or feet are cut off, and many die from blood loss. Those who manage to survive have to struggle to survive after amputation. The perpetrators behind these attacks are usually sorcerers who are common in the country. Sorcerers encourage and plan attacks on albinos.
Additionally, the belief that having sex with women with albinism cures AIDS also leads to cases of rape before attacks. As a result of long-term pressure from international organizations, the government has taken a number of measures to protect albinos in recent years. However, according to official data, on average, more than 100 murders, kidnappings, rapes and attacks occur against albinos per year in the country.
International organizations and non-governmental organizations are making efforts to combat ‘albinism ignorance’. In this context, it is emphasized that albinism is not contagious and local religious beliefs are combated.
African Albinos Have to Hide
A report published by the International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies showed that threats and murders against albinos continue. According to the report, around 10,000 African albinos have been forced to flee or are in hiding due to false beliefs that albinos’ limbs have magical powers. The report emphasizes that the only market where the body parts of albinos are sold is in Tanzania, and it is stated that since 2007, 44 albinos in Tanzania and 14 albinos in Burundi were killed by having their limbs removed.
The last albino murder in East Africa took place in the Mwanza region of Tanzania. In this incident, hunters cut off the feet of 10-year-old Gasper Elikana, and the father, who tried to protect his son, was seriously injured and became disabled.
Because of these terrible murders, albinos in Africa are forced to live in great fear. The biggest reason for this is that some rich people who take the limbs of albinos believe that this action will bring them luck and prosperity. The rich pay high amounts for a few limbs for this purpose. These beliefs and murders create an environment where albinos are not safe and emerge as a serious human rights problem.
