Hunted down by witchdoctors and sold by their own families: The albinos of Tanzania driven from their homes and forced to live in hiding for fear of being hacked to pieces by shamans who believe their body parts 'bring luck' By Elena Salvoni Published: 13:44 BST, 5 May 2024 | Updated: 13:44 BST, 5 May 2024 e-mail View comments Advertisement People with albinism have lived in fear for decades in Tanzania - not only facing discrimination for the way they look but also becoming the targets of ruthless traffickers who aim to make money from their bodies. Witch doctors have been known to seek their organs and body parts to make 'lucky' potions and charms, with criminal networks being set up that include kidnappers, traffickers and killers to satisfy this macabre demand. Those with the genetic condition are ostracised by their communities but also their own families, who may be tempted to betray them to body part sellers for vast sums of money.
Aware of the terror faced by the albino population, Tanzania's government has set up centres to protect them in recent years, which are nothing short of sanctuaries for this imperiled group. Photographer Ana Palacios visited the Kabanga refuge, near Lake Tanganyika, a community of women and children living with albinism, whose joy and resilience despite the constant threats they face shines through in these stunning pictures. The Tanzanian government has found it necessary to set up special centres to protect people with albinism who have ha.
