Since 2007, at least 44 albinos in Tanzania and 14 people in Burundi have been murdered. These numbers are only estimates and are believed to be higher. Areas particularly affected are located in the Lake Victoria zone. Bodies have been found limbless with a large hole in the neck to drain the victim’s blood. Often, victims are buried in cement by their families to prevent further desecration of their remains. Several victims have been attacked and murdered in their homes. The police reported one victim had his foot and genitals removed. His wife, who also has albinism, was injured but was able to raise the alarm and survived. Another man was assaulted by four men claiming to be police officers. They hacked off his legs in front of his wife. The youngest victim was a seven-month-old infant, mutilated for its hair, blood, and organs. The Red Cross has stated they need support to respond to this humanitarian crisis.
Due to a lack of knowledge about what causes albinism, cultural folklore ranges from harmless myth to dangerous superstitions that cost human lives. Albinism is a genetic condition which prevents the body from making usual amounts of the pigment melanin. The most common form of albinism results in the hair, skin, and eyes being pale white throughout life. A majority of albinism cases result from biological inheritance of recessive genes passed on by both parents. Ocular difficulties include flickering eye movements, sensitivity to bright light, and poor vision, but most of these conditions are treatable. Only one out of approximately 20,000 people worldwide is albino, but the occurrence rates in Tanzania are higher. Many cultures view albinos as cursed, blessed, or magical. The presence of these occult beliefs in rural Tanzania and Burundi has caused albinos to be targeted for supernatural powers they do not possess.
Although the Tanzanian government has taken steps to protect its citizens, it is having difficult. Most of the murders occur in rural areas, where residents lack the protection of a significant police presence. And, to make matters worse, it is alleged that some of the police are customers of the witchdoctors or are involved in the racket, profiting from the murders. Schools for the disabled and emergency shelters have been established to protect those threatened. Four people have already been sentenced to death for killing a man and selling his body parts back in November. Dozens more still await trial. In November 2008, a man was arrested for trying to sell his albino wife for $3000. 170 witchdoctors have also been arrested. President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania has placed pressure on the police to identify where albinos live to offer them protection. But more still needs to be done to protect the targeted people. As long as profit can be made, and people are willing to kill innocent victims, while others are buying up potions made from ground-up organs, this heinous problem will continue.
Check out the following articles regarding albino killings:
Report: Scores of albinos in hiding after attacks
- a CNN article discussing the atrocities people with albinism face in Tanzania and East Africa
Man “tried to sell” albino wife
- a BBC article detailing how a man tried to sell his albino wife for $3,000
Tanzania albinos targeted again
- a 2008 report of some of the attacks against people with albinism
In hiding for exposing Tanzania witchdoctors
- an undercover investigation by Vicky Ntetema of the BBC, who is now in hiding because of her report, describing in detail her consultation with ten witchdoctors
Alexander Booth is a 24-year-old graduate of St. John’s University, currently living in Long Island, and a frequent VM contributor. His educational background is in legal studies and creative writing. He can be contacted at Zanderbooth@gmail.com.