In some African countries, people with albinism are killed, and their body parts and blood are used for witchcraft. For an investigation of this sinister practice, stay with Saed News.
Albinism is a genetic disorder of the autosomal recessive type, caused by a congenital deficiency of an enzyme that prevents the conversion of tyrosine into melanin. It is more common in boys. The inability to produce the pigment melanin results in the patient having white skin. So far, seven types of albinism have been identified. The most common type (OCA2) presents with light skin (with a small amount of melanin), hair color ranging from golden to dark red, and light eye colors (blue, green, gray, etc.). A person or animal with albinism is called "Zal" (Albino). This term is also used for birds and animals showing this condition.
The word "Zal" is derived from the Persian word meaning "excessive whiteness" or "white skin." In Persian mythology, Zal is the name of a character with white hair. He was the son of Sam and the father of Rostam. Due to his white hair, Sam was worried about his birth and abandoned him at the foot of Mount Alborz, where the mythical Simurgh bird found and raised him. The Simurgh supported Zal and his son Rostam throughout their lives. The word "albinism" comes from the Latin word albus, meaning "white."
There are two main types of ocular albinism: one that affects the eyes, skin, and hair, and another that affects only the eyes. Depending on which gene is mutated, different forms of ocular albinism exist. Some have no pigment at all. On the other end of the spectrum is a type called "hazel ocular albinism," which usually affects people with darker skin. According to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, in ocular albinism, iris color can vary from blue to green or even brown and may darken with age.
Because people with albinism lack the dark pigment melanin that protects skin from ultraviolet rays, their skin is very susceptible to sunburn. The human eye normally produces enough pigment to color the iris (blue, green, or brown) and create opacity. In photos, people with albinism often show "red-eye" due to the visibility of the retina's redness through the iris. Lack of pigment in the eye also causes vision problems, related or unrelated to light sensitivity.
Albinism is caused by a recessive gene affecting all vertebrates, including humans. It can have serious negative impacts on the individual’s life, cause concern over the birth of an albino child, and affect social relationships. Unlike humans, other animals have multiple pigments, and for them, albinism is considered an inherited disease characterized by a lack of melanin particularly in the eyes, skin, hair, shells, feathers, or cuticles. A creature with a total absence of melanin is called albino, while one with less melanin is described as leucistic or albinoid.
Albino Killing in East Africa
In Tanzania, albinos (white-haired, red-eyed people lacking skin pigment) are hunted like animals, and their body parts are traded. These people are sometimes sold by their own family members for up to 50,000 British pounds so that witch doctors can amputate their body parts for sale. Tanzanians believe that consuming parts of albinos brings happiness, fortune, and wealth. Tanzania has the highest number of these killings. Wealthy individuals are the buyers. Greed has led family members to betray and sell their own relatives. Albinos are often attacked, their body parts cut off, causing disability or death. Around 1,400 albinos live in rural areas of Tanzania, where scientists believe consanguineous marriage is a factor in the phenomenon.
Since record-keeping began, 79 albinos have been killed and 59 injured. Even dead albinos are not safe—16 albino graves have been desecrated. These events have been recorded since the start of tracking. Albinos live in fear, even fearing their own family members who might sell them for a few hundred dollars. In most cases, family members are involved in attacks and sales.
In some Central and East African countries, people with albinism are killed, and their body parts and blood are used for witchcraft. The victims, especially children, are sometimes dismembered alive. On the black market, a limb from an albino can sell for up to $2,000. The main buyers are usually wealthy people seeking to gain more power and wealth through magical means.
