It looks like a scene from a horror movie but it is not. Albinos are being hunted for their body parts in most parts of East Africa. I am talking about 2016 not some million years ago. In countries like Tanzania, witch doctors pay as much as $75,000 for a complete set of albino genitals, ears, tongue and limbs according to the red cross. In neighboring
Malawi, the police say about 70 people with albino have been killed since 2014 for body parts. Amnesty opines that these figures are grossly underestimated. Apart from Malawi and Tanzania, attacks on albinos routinely take place in Kenya and Burundi too.
Malawi seems to be the hotspot at the moment with albino hunters crossing from neighboring countries to demand albino parts. Malawi’s president has spoken out many times against this barbaric act and has solicited help from the church in his country to speak against violence and discrimination against people with albinism.
The Tanzanian government last year banned witchdoctors from operating in the country in a bid to stop the senseless killing of people with albinism.
Apart from kidnappings, graves of people with albinism are also being dug up and corpses stolen.
The police in this part of the world have not made enough arrests and not enough sentences have been passed down from the courts. This supports the suspicion that the police and perhaps the judiciary share the bias that people with albinism are not of equal status to others.
Some albinos have alleged being called names like ‘walking money’ (referring to the amount of money their body parts can fetch) by random strangers when walking on the streets. Some have alleged being discriminated against at hospitals and schools.
The situation for albinos living in East Africa is so terrible that many have isolated themselves from public view as a means to stay alive.
What are the sentiments that have made albinos a target?
Well, it a terrible combination of witchcraft, ignorance, poverty, cruelty and of course the market forces of demand and supply.
- It is believed that having sex with a person with albino will cure HIV
- Witchcraft charms made with a person with albino’s body part will bring ‘wealth’
- Witchcraft charms made with a person with albino’s body part will bring ‘protection’
What is Albinism?
People with albinism are called albinos. They are of black ethnicity but appear white because they lack melanin that gives our skin color. They may also have vision problems and are more prone to skin cancers from the harsh African sun.
Riddle in the puzzle- The people at the receiving end.
Who are these people asking for human body parts? Who are those driving the demand for these body parts? Who are the Africans who can afford $75,000 for a complete set of albino genitals, ears, tongue, and limbs?
My guess- politicians, military and police leaders, top government officials.
Is it a coincidence then that there isn’t an arrest of those demanding the human body parts yet? Only suppliers have been arrested.
Well, arrest the suppliers all you can but if the demand is there, suppliers will find a way.
Until that time when common sense prevails over stupidity, let us join the fight to protect people with albinism. Do your bit in your corner. If you have albinism, stay safe and avoid these hot spots if you can!
Very sad
