Jump directly to the content
VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

Incredible images of Tanzania’s albino kids who’ve survived persecution by locals who believe they are witches and regularly kill them at birth

Children in Tanzania born with albinism are often hunted down and killed for their body parts to be used in black magic rituals

THESE incredible portraits illustrate the beauty of Tanzania's albinos who are hunted and killed for their body parts to be used in horrific black magic rituals.

In Tanzania, if you are born with albinism then you start life with a price tag on your head, as many will exploit the superstitions surrounding albinism by killing them for good luck and selling their body parts to witch doctors.

Two young boys, one of which has albinism, pose for this striking photograph
15
Two young boys, one of which has albinism, pose for this striking photographCredit: Barcroft Media
The portraits were taken to raise awareness of the plight of Tanzania's persecuted albino population
15
The portraits were taken to raise awareness of the plight of Tanzania's persecuted albino populationCredit: Barcroft Media
A boy with albinism poses for a portrait with a flower in his mouth
15
A boy with albinism poses for a portrait with a flower in his mouthCredit: Barcroft Media
A group of boys huddle together for the striking photo project
15
A group of boys huddle together for the striking photo projectCredit: Barcroft Media

Photographer Marinka Masséus decided to visit Tanzania and see the treatment of PWA - people with albinism - first hand, so she contacted Dutch foundation Stichting Afrikaanse Albino’s and Josephat Torner’s foundation, a PWA and leading activist for the equality and social inclusion of Tanzanian PWA, to witness the persecution first hand.

She said: "The fears and superstitions surrounding albinism run very deep in Tanzanian society. So deep that many women who give birth to a child with albinism are told to kill the baby at birth.

MOST READ IN NEWS

Putin makes apology after passenger plane was shot down by Russian missile
SORRY NOT SORRY

Putin makes apology after passenger plane was shot down by Russian missile

Horrific bodycam footage shows guards 'beat handcuffed inmate to death'
DISTURBING ATTACK

Horrific bodycam footage shows guards 'beat handcuffed inmate to death'

Woman, 33, charged with murder after dad-of-6 killed at home on Christmas Day
XMAS 'KILLER'

Woman, 33, charged with murder after dad-of-6 killed at home on Christmas Day

Christmas Day 'killer' in court after 'stabbing two women to death'
XMAS 'MURDERS'

Christmas Day 'killer' in court after 'stabbing two women to death'

"If she refuses, she and the baby will become outcasts and they will live in constant fear for their lives."

In December 2014 four-year-old Pendo Emmanuelle was torn from her mother’s arms, the police are yet to find her body.

In February 2015, 18-month-old Yohan Bahati was taken from his home and found dead days later with all of his limbs hacked off - his mother suffered machete wounds to her face when she tried to protect him.

Despite widespread scientific understanding of albinism, children are still killed due to local superstitions
15
Despite widespread scientific understanding of albinism, children are still killed due to local superstitionsCredit: Barcroft Media
The two models pose for a photograph of them with their arms wrapped around each other
15
The two models pose for a photograph of them with their arms wrapped around each otherCredit: Barcroft Media
An albino boy with glasses poses for a photograph
15
An albino boy with glasses poses for a photographCredit: Barcroft Media

In an effort to stem the tide of brutal attacks against PWA, the Tanzanian government is trying to reduce the influence of so-called Witch Doctors, the main force behind the superstitions and the attacks.

Also the government is working with Stichting Afrikaanse Albino’s to provide high quality sunscreen to protect PWA from skin cancer.

A tangle of children - some black and some with albinism - come together to raise awareness of the plight of albinism in Dar es Salaam
15
A tangle of children - some black and some with albinism - come together to raise awareness of the plight of albinism in Dar es SalaamCredit: Barcroft Media

The Dutch photographer said: "Real changes are being made, but not nearly enough. Many children, especially in rural areas where superstitions still run high, still live under deplorable circumstances in government camps.

"Rejected and cut-off from their families, they live separate from society in order to keep them safe.

The children often spend their lives ostracised from the world in order to prevent them being killed or mutilated
15
The children often spend their lives ostracised from the world in order to prevent them being killed or mutilatedCredit: Barcroft Media

"In some of the camps the living circumstances are horrible, with even basic care lacking.

"And this separation doesn’t solve the problems. It doesn’t help with integration. It doesn’t give them a chance to grow into valued and respected members of society.

Albino children are often disowned by their parents due to local superstitions
15
Albino children are often disowned by their parents due to local superstitionsCredit: Barcroft Media

"They are secluded, kept apart, hidden, often mistreated and shamed."

She also visited a sanctuary called Mary Mother of God Centre, run by Sister Helena, but Marinka decided to focus on capturing these intimate portraits to deliver a powerful message about the inclusion and protection of PWA in Tanzanian society.

Marinka said: "My goal was to create something visually appealing, to show the beauty of children with albinism, to send a positive message, a message of hope, acceptance and inclusion.

The photographs were taken by Dutch photographer Marinka Masséus
15
The photographs were taken by Dutch photographer Marinka MasséusCredit: Barcroft Media

"So often nowadays, images are shocking and, although that has much value in creating awareness, it runs the risk of people instinctively looking the other way.

"My goal was to create images that people would be drawn to, to touch their hearts and in the meantime get the message across."

Many children are kept protected in rural camps in extremely poor conditions
15
Many children are kept protected in rural camps in extremely poor conditionsCredit: Barcroft Media
The photos were taken at the Mary Mother of God Centre in Tanzania
15
The photos were taken at the Mary Mother of God Centre in TanzaniaCredit: Barcroft Media
An albino boy poses for a tender photograph holding a flower in his mouth
15
An albino boy poses for a tender photograph holding a flower in his mouthCredit: Barcroft Media
Marinka said she hoped the photos would help raise awareness of the discrimination albinos still suffered
15
Marinka said she hoped the photos would help raise awareness of the discrimination albinos still sufferedCredit: Barcroft Media

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.

 

Topics
machibet777.com