Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Albinos in Tanzania Live in Fear of Witchcraft Killings
Share: 
by Christina 123 | July 26, 2008 at 02:09 am
846 views | 5 Recommendations | 5 comments
Photos
The incidence of albinism - lack of pigmentation in skin, eyes and hair - is quite high amongst African populations compared to European ones. Because of their obvious high profile in their community, they attract a high level of unwelcome attention, and various superstitious beliefs have surrounded them in communities where a lack of education about what causes albinism, with so-call "voodoo cults" conferring supernatural interpretation on the phenomenon, is causing immmense suffering to those born with the affliction.
Albino men and women are being killed and mutilated in <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />Tanzania after witch doctors claimed their skin and body parts were an aid to getting rich quick. Support groups claim up to 25 albinos have been murdered in the past six months in the African country where superstition and sorcery are prevalent in rural areas. Witch doctors in some areas have told Tanzanians seeking wealth and power that potions made from blood, hands, hair and legs will make them wealthy.
That has led to a series of horrific killings where victims are stripped of bodily parts to make the macabre mixtures.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
Christina 123
LONDON, United Kingdom
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 05:17 on July 26th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff. I saw this on BBC news yesterday, truly horrific when people come knocking on your door to butcher you for your body parts for a ritual.
at 06:40 on July 26th, 2008
Thanks, Barry! It is shocking how ignorance still prevails amongst some communities. You wonder whatever happened to compassion.
at 09:29 on July 26th, 2008
That story was out all ready!
at 19:30 on April 18th, 2009
You have to understand that Tanzania is a third world country and that its not ignorance. People are desperate to try anything to get themselves out of thier current situation.
at 23:12 on June 1st, 2009
hopeless sinners who kills albino should be too killed. coz the one who live by swold should be killed by swold