[Sociocultural aspects of albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa: mutilations and ritual murders committed in east Africa (Burundi and Tanzania)].
This report presents an overview of the many sociocultural prejudices confronting albinos and their parents in Sub-Saharan Africa at each stage of life (infancy, adolescence, and adulthood). The birth of an albino child to two black parents has always been an enigma for African peoples. French-speaking and English-speaking populations in Central, East and South African countries have invented numerous myths to account for this event. Albinos are believed to possess good and evil magical powers. On the white magic side, some organs are believed to confer luck, health, and prosperity. For this reason albinos in Tanzania and Burundi are still in 2008 prey to ritual murders and mutilations to obtain various body parts such as arms, legs, and genitals for preparation of amulets. This barbaric and iniquitous practice has been severely condemned by authorities in both countries as well as by the European Parliament. To end these atrocities disseminating accurate medical information explaining the genetic basis of albinism will be necessary to eliminate ignorance and superstition.
Aquaron
R
R
Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, France. robert.aquaron@univmed.fr
Djatou
M
M
Kamdem
L
L
D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000417:Albinism / Q000208:ethnology*; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D006708:Homicide / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D009229:Mythology; D011287:Prejudice; D012928:Social Desirability