Why witches target people living with Albinism

In recent years, Tanzania gained notoriety for the despicable, barbaric and grotesque killings of people with albinism. These murders have been fueled in part by belief in witchcraft, which held that albinos were demons in human form whose real mission was to cause misery and suffering to ordinary mortals.

For years, a myth was circulated that albinos never died but that “when their time came to return to their ghostly world, they simply disappeared.”

What we know today is that they were actually murdered without the crimes stirring serious concern in society because the belief that albinos simply disappeared had taken root in the minds of the community.

Human fat for witchcraft

While witchcraft plays a part in the killings of people with albinism, the real motivation is never witchcraft but the pursuit for power and wealth.

The most coveted item in the murky world of witchcraft in Africa is human fat. Due to a lack of melanin, albinos tend to have thicker and fattier skins thus making them targets for those seeking human fat.

It is said that people living with albinism produce up to 10 times more fat than those with ordinary pigmentation. Those involved in witchcraft are also known to target infants for human fat.

According to folklore, there are basically three types of muti or medicine in Africa for people who seek wealth and power by turning to the Devil. The first muti or medicine among my people is called Ikundano. It caused a person to be loved and liked by anything including women and minerals. It is the muti also that enables one to command demagogic following.

The second muti is called Ikangisyo, or the medicine that enables one to inspire fear in fellow humans and beasts. The third muti is called Ihumbyo and it protects a person from ill will, enemies and detractors.

These powers are particularly sought during electoral periods thus, it is not surprising that the killings of albinos tend to rise near elections.

The murders are also prevalent in areas with extensive mining activities because locals believe that without some form of sacrifice, mines will not yield wealth.

International attention

It is said 75 people with albinism have been killed in the last 15 years while 60 others were maimed in ghastly attacks that left their victims extremely traumatized.

The killings soon spread to the neighbouring countries and the escalation led to increased international attention.

Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted June 13, 2015 as the inaugural International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD). A number of activities are planned worldwide including in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and in the USA.

Some have suggested that albinos are killed because of a belief that they are not real human. On the contrary, they are killed because of their “superior” human qualities to yield more human fat or Ndago as the Sukuma call it.

In essence people living with albinism actually die for  those with normal pigmentation. If it weren’t for them, seekers of human fat would have to kill 10 people in order to get the same amount or quantity of the fat!

By Mboneko Munyaga

East African News Agency