There are few exceptions to what is generally accepted as normal. Albinism is one of the few conditions which distinguishes people by the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin gives color to the skin, when this is absent, the skin, hair and eyes lack color, this condition is known as albinism or hypo-pigmentation. It is an inherited gene; although parents may not be albinos, they must be carriers of the gene. Albinism is also present in animals.
It is believed that Africa is the birth place of all other races in the world and the presence of albinos in Africa justify this claim. According to kwekudee, an African blogger, The ostracization of albinos during biblical times is the only logical explanation of how the white race came into existence. The albino colonies produced more albinos till there was an albino race. Marilyn Monroe concurred when she said “there are only one sort of natural blonde on earth- albinos”.
Albinism In Africa
According to the albino foundation, people living with albinism are among the vulnerable groups in Africa. Nigeria which ranks among the highest numbers of People With Albinism (PWA) has about 2million albinos. With 600,000 of them suffering all forms of discrimination from their peers, family and society.
According to the BMC public health journal in 2008, Tanzania has 1 in 1400 living with PWA. Although this data is inconclusive, it estimated that there are about 30,000 albinos in the country. However, the albino association of Tazania believes that the numbering of albinos in the country is about 150000.
Albinism may be more prevalent in some geographic areas because of inbreeding (incest). A study published in 1982 notes that albinism is less common among the South African Zulu and Xhosa tribes (one in 4,500) than the Swazi and Sotho-Tswana tribes (one in 2,000), which have no taboo against cousins marrying. In Zimbabwe, about four-fifths of albinos belong to the majority ethnic group, the Shona. Since the Shona discourage consanguineous relationships, this prevalence may be the result of the founder effect, wherein a small number of people from a larger population form a new community, resulting in the loss of genetic variation. But the extraordinary rate of albinism in Tanzania is not yet fully understood.
Albino children in Tanzania – Albinism in Africa
Albinism is especially dangerous in sunny climates, because lack of melanin predisposes albinos to severe skin damage from UV exposure. Albinos frequently suffer from sunburns, blisters, and solar keratosis as well as visual problems like myopia. The most common cause of death for albinos is skin cancer.
An Endangered Specie
Albinism has been viewed through different cultural lenses in Africa. While some cultures celebrate albinos, many treat them with disdain.
Over the years, the UN has listed albinos among endangered species. This is because of the belief by some cultures that the limbs of albinos make very good potions for rituals. In Tazania for instance, Three men armed with machetes killed an 8-year-old albino boy in Burundi and are believed to have smuggled his limbs to Tanzania, where witch doctors use albino body parts for potions. At least 35 albinos were killed in Tanzania in 2008, prompting police officials to set up an emergency hot line and a program to distribute free cell phones to all albinos.
In other places like Zimbabwe, it’s believed that having sex with an albino cures HIV/AIDS completely. This belief has led to the rape of several innocent Albino men and women. In other words, Albino people are being infected with the deadly HIV/AIDS because of the belief that sleeping with Albinos cure HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, the UN has listed albinos among endangered species. This is because of the belief by some cultures that the limbs of albinos make very good potions for rituals.
Among the Mandinke people of Mali, a child born with albinism is ill luck and bad omen. Often times, the child is ostracized from the family completely. This accounts for the ostracization of Malian renowned singer known as “the man with the golden voice and inventor of Afro-pop” , Salif Keita . Although he was from the royal family of Sundiata Keita he was never accepted as one.
In Ghana, albinos do not face any form of persecutions or ostracization. Infact, some cultures like the Akan, worship a deity believed to be an albino god. They believe that albinos do not die, instead, they are translated.
The Fate of Albinos
There are a number of celebrated albinos in Africa despite the persecutions and bad treatment meted on them in some areas. Moses Foh-Amoaning is a celebrated legal luminary and a long time president of Ghana boxing association (GBA).
With a handful of other albinos, Professor Makumbe, a professor at university of Zimbabwe and founder of Zimbabwe Albino Trust dreams of a powerful human rights organization that battles prejudice on albinos’ behalf. Like professor Makumbe, Thando Hopa a South African model wants to reach out and be a role model for young female albinos. For her, “albinism is another kind of normal”.
Many albinos have developed a bitter humor about their lot. Twice in the 1970’s during the war against the old white regime, Mr. Nyathi, an albino in Zimbabwe was almost shot by guerrillas who took him for a white man. They pulled back their rifle bolts and halted in astonishment when he started shouting at them in Ndebele, the language of southern Zimbabwe. ”Oh, look, he’s an African,” they said. ”Sorry, brother, sorry!”
The New York Times published an article in 1997 explaining that most albinos die from broken heart than from any medical cause. The article reiterated that although stereotypes states that albinos are more intelligent with higher IQ’s, albinos hardly get to be geniuses because a normal child is chosen over an albino to be sent to school. Also, the social rejection as well as ostracization leads to frustration and probable suicide.
albinisim in africa . – Albinisim in Africa
According to UN reports, most albinos have shorter life span compared to their black counterparts. Averagely, they live till middle age, i.e., 30-40. Only 2% of albinos reach their 40th birthday.
Although most albinos are being catered for everywhere from social injustices and dangerous stereotypes, there is still a growing concern as to how this “endangered species” can walk on the streets without fear in countries like Tanzania. Several NGOs and even international bodies like the WHO and UN have urged the Tanzania government to persecute offenders who kidnap and mutilate albinos; Very few have gone to jail. Adequate sensitization as well as awareness will reduce the risks and threats face d by albinos says UN. International Albinism Awareness Day is observed 13 July yearly to support albinos. Albinism awareness month is September.
