African Albinos are money in the bank.

**backlash** · December 3rd, 2009, 09:21 AM

The mistaken belief that albino body parts have magical powers has driven thousands of Africa's albinos into hiding, fearful of losing their lives and limbs to unscrupulous dealers who can make up to $75,000 selling a complete dismembered set.

Mary Owido, who lacks pigment that gives color to skin, eyes and hair, says she is only comfortable when at work or at home with her husband and children.

"Wherever I go people start talking about me, saying that my legs and hands can fetch a fortune in Tanzania," said Owido, 36, a mother of six. "This kind of talk scares me. I am afraid of going out alone."

Since 2007, 44 albinos have been killed in Tanzania and 14 others have been slain in Burundi, sparking widespread fear among albinos in East Africa.

At least 10,000 have been displaced or gone into hiding since the killings began, according to a report released this week by the International Federation for the Red Cross and Crescent societies.

East Africa's latest albino murder happened in Tanzania's Mwanza region in late October, when albino hunters beheaded 10-year-old Gasper Elikana and chopped off his leg, the report said. The killing left Elikana's father, who tried to defend his son, seriously injured.

Albinism is a hereditary condition, but occurs only when both parents have albinism genes. All six of Owido's children have normal skin color.

[...]

The surge in the use of albino body parts as good luck charms is a result of "a kind of marketing exercise by witch doctors," the International Federation for the Red Cross and Crescent societies said.

The report says the market for albino parts exists mainly in Tanzania, where a complete set of body parts — including all limbs, genitals, ears, tongue and nose — can sell for $75,000. Wealthy buyers use the parts as talismans to bring them wealth and good fortune.

[...]

Almost 90 percent of albinos living in the region were raised by single mothers, Mwaura said, because the fathers believed their wives were having affairs with white men.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34182250...d_news-africa/

Come on now, white people wouldn't be caught dead in Tanzania...

**battery jackson** · December 3rd, 2009, 01:45 PM

is it wrong to call such practices savage? because it really is

**backlash** · December 3rd, 2009, 02:06 PM

It's one thing to think about cutting up a human being. I mean, picture cutting up your neighbor and wearing them for good luck. But it's another thing that entire cultures think about this stuff...

**battery jackson** · December 3rd, 2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by backlash

It's one thing to think about cutting up a human being. I mean, picture cutting up your neighbor and wearing them for good luck. But it's another thing that entire cultures think about this stuff...

for real man, it is very scary. i dunno what to think. maybe that outlook is what prevented those people from being conquered when the europeans came to africa and carved it up like a thanksgiving turkey. there are an infinite number of explanations, none of which will justify it in my opinion. over time it'll probably stop though.

i just know i aint ever gonna go there cuz i'm a pasty motherfucker. white paper looks gray next to me. i'll be like the old bugs bunny cartoons, tied up in a giant cauldron. those poor folks. stay indoors!!!!!!!!!!!

**Obsolete** · December 3rd, 2009, 02:19 PM

I can relate.... people are always trying to steal my lucky charms.

**AngelFire** · December 3rd, 2009, 04:26 PM

I read about this 2 months ago. One of my coworkers sent me a link to a story about this same subject. All I can say is that ignorance is a dangerous thing.

**Jaded** · December 3rd, 2009, 05:42 PM

I mean, picture cutting up your neighbor and wearing them for good luck

I just envisioned myself toting my redneck neighbor's ear on a key ring like a lucky rabbit's foot.

And I kinda liked that little scenario....

**lundwall1** · December 3rd, 2009, 05:55 PM

Just WTF is WRONG with people?!?! And a 10 year old too no less??Some people and cultures are strnage - this - this is just fucked up!!!!!!!!! My poor BF would be hacked to peices if he was over there! Sooooo white!

**Misskittychaos** · December 3rd, 2009, 11:10 PM

This thread resulted in me spending 20 minutes on google image search....looking up African Albinos.

**Whisper** · December 3rd, 2009, 11:56 PM

I have been reading up on this for months now.And I dont get it at all. Growing up my best friend was a albino.My best friends cousin also is and hes african american so hes got a totally diff look to him.I cant imagine that happening to him its just so fucked up I dont understand it.

**sheevaa** · December 4th, 2009, 04:18 AM

Well, if anyone is interested in helping with this cause, there's a charity for it called Under The Same Sun. It was started by a man who is also an albino and has always supported many causes. There's ways to donate and also a petition supporting the government to stop the assault on African albinos.

Under The Same Sun

I have a lot of respect for Peter and Paul Ash and the work that they've done for people. *gets off soapbox* This one just kinda hits close to home for me:)

**Rockin Ma** · December 5th, 2009, 10:29 AM

I've posted about this before. My kids' paternal side of the family has relatives like that here. They are very adamant on being called something else, which I won't even say because last time it caused confusion. I was not so gently reprimanded for saying they were a****o by the family and the disapproving look I got makes me not even want to call my pet frogs (African Abino per the pet shop) that.

The only thing I can think of is they deny to be that because of the dangers and stigma culturally related to it (old old cultures, but they have some strange beliefs, or superstitions to me).