‘We thought we will be safe here’: Narratives of Tanzanian Albinos in Kenya and South-Africa

Abstract

There are paucity of information on the migratory trend and security challenges facing albinos seeking refuge and livelihood in neighbouring African countires. Specifically this study examines Tanzanian albinios' migration, acceptability and security challenges in Kenya and South Africa. The study was purely qualitative in nature, involving a hundred and forty-five persons with albinism (PWA) identified in Nairobi (Kenya) and Gauteng province (South Africa). Realities, myths, folktales and legends about albinos as both disabled and divine beings prevailed in the host communities in Kenya and South Africa. Comparatively socioeconomic factors such as income and educational attainment of PWA and their family members were major factors informing choices of destination and abode. This was evident in a number of affluent albinos living in South Africa. Nevertheless, acceptability and safety continue to elude PWA as spirit beings and strangers. They are left vulnerable as strangers and at best perceived as persons without identity. Similarly the proximity of Tanzania to Kenya facilitated AFRREV, VOL. 9(4), S/NO 39, SEPTEMBER, 2015 38Copyright © IAARR, 2015: www.afrrevjo.net Indexed African Journals Online: www.ajol.info the choice as a major destination for PWA via land borders. The security expectations were described as poor in both countries. A network of syndicates hunting for albinos, were said to be present in Kenya and South Africa, fostering trades in albinos body parts. The study concluded that distant migration of PWA within Africa, does not guarantee the security of albinos as migrants.

Influence of social stigma on subjective well‐being of persons with albinism in Ghana

“…PWA in Ghana, like their counterparts in other African countries such as in Malawi (Braathen & Ingstad, 2006), in Tanzania (Brocco, 2015), in Kenya (Ikuomola, 2015), and in South Africa and Zimbabwe (Baker et al, 2010), experience social stigma and physical attacks that affect their subjective well-being (Akoyam, 2015;Boateng, 2015). As is the case in many countries in Africa (see, e.g., Baker & Lund, 2017;Braathen & Ingstad, 2006;Machoko, 2013), superstitious beliefs about albinism seem to create preconditions for stigmatisation and violence against PWA in Ghana.…”

“…Research has shown that OCA is the most common form of albinism in many parts of Africa (Cruz-Inigo, Ladizinski, & Sethi, 2011;Kromberg et al, 2012). The incidence and prevalence of albinism in Africa varies between and within countries, and there are variations in the treatment of PWA in Africa (Mcbride, 2014), with various studies reporting on violence against and attacks on PWA in some African countries (Cruz-Inigo et al, 2011;Franklin, Lund, Bradbury-Jones, & Taylor, 2018;Ikuomola, 2015). For example, Baker, Lund, Nyathi, and Taylor (2010) described instances where PWA in South Africa and Zimbabwe were killed or left to die by their families because of the social stigma associated with their condition.…”

Leadership for change: pathways to activism for African women with disability

“…One striking example can be found in the myths that surround albinism. In many African countries, people with this condition are viewed as ghosts or spiritual beings with skills in both sorcery and healing (Baker et al 2010;Ikuomola 2015). coupled with a belief that their body parts can bring wealth or good luck, these views have led to severe forms of stigma and discrimination; and the mutilation and ritual murders of people with albinism (cruz-Inigo, Ladizinski, and sethi 2011).…”

Beyond Asexualization: Narratives of Sexual Objectification of Persons with Albinism in Nigeria

“…Notwithstanding the fact that there is no unifying definition of disability or the constituent characteristics, impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions beyond sexuality and sexual experiences are evident in PWD's narratives and literature (See Delaney 2008;Ikuomola 2015;The First Post 2009;Thuku 2011;Wiete 2011), Disability is nevertheless a dynamic, complex, and contested concept (Shakespeare 2015;WHO et al 2011, Iriarte 2016. In the World Report on Disability (WHO & The World Bank 2011), based on the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), of disability and health (WHO and The World Bank 2011), disability is described in the following way:…”

“…Research Methods This paper draws information from qualitative research (in-depth semi-structured interviews and observations) among a cross section of 25 women and 20 men with albinism, selected from a larger data of 159 randomly selected persons with albinism (PWA), who took part in the previous study on albinism conducted over a four year period between the 2014-2018, across six states in South west Nigeria: Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, and Lagos (Ikuomola 2015;. A purposive sample with a convenient population was utilised.…”