{"id":102730,"date":"2017-10-10T18:47:45","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T16:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/african-voices-raised-in-support-of-people-with-albinism-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2017-10-10T18:47:45","modified_gmt":"2017-10-10T16:47:45","slug":"african-voices-raised-in-support-of-people-with-albinism-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/african-voices-raised-in-support-of-people-with-albinism-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"African voices raised in support of people with albinism | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

African voices raised in support of people with albinism<\/a>: <\/p>\n

Thereza Phinias, a musician who is part of the Tanzania Albinism Collective.<\/span> Marilena Delli<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the remote East African island of Ukerewe in the middle of Lake Victoria, people with albinism whose voices have been largely unheard, are now writing and voicing their experiences into songs. Ukerewe is the largest inland island in Africa and is part of Tanzania. <\/p>\n

This East African country has the highest prevalence of albinism in the world: about one in every 1,400, compared to the US\u2019s one in 17,000. In Africa the prevalence is estimated to range between one in 1100 to one in 15,000.<\/p>\n

Since 2006, more than 520 attacks on people with albinism in 28 countries have been recorded, according to the Canadian charity Under The Same Sun. People with albinism in Africa face a range of prejudices and social stigmas. They are often dismissed as belonging to another race, or as ghosts or spirits. <\/p>\n

Tanzania has the largest recorded number of attacks with more than 170 incidents over the last decade. These attacks range from maiming, to death, to desecrating a grave. There is a black market for body parts, hair and skin used by witchdoctors in potions and charms.<\/p>\n

There is a higher proportion of people with albinism on Ukerewe \u2013 75 on the island of 200,000 people. It is a remote island, reached by a four-hour journey by ferry over the lake. Historically children with albinism have been brought and abandoned on the island, while others have sought safety in this remote haven. <\/p>\n

Songwriting workshops led by American author, activist and Grammy award-winning music producer Ian Brennan, encouraged a group in Ukerewe Island to write songs about their experiences using the local languages of Kikirewe and Jeeta. The outputs form part of a body of work \u2013 music, art, dance and film \u2013 that\u2019s making a difference in the lives of Tanzanians with albinism in a number of ways. <\/p>\n

My research on media portrayal of Africans with albinism found that music, songs, art and films are important in expressing and understanding the experiences of Africans with albinism, who are seen to be different in colour. <\/p>\n

They also affirm their human rights and educate communities to accept and care about people with albinism. <\/p>\n

New songs and albums<\/h2>\n

Singing and dancing were new experiences for all in the group on Ukerewe Island. Astonishingly, they had been forbidden to sing in church. Restrictions like this are an example of the social rejection commonly experienced by Tanzanians with albinism. <\/p>\n

It was apt that many of their songs were sad and touching, with titles like \u201cLife is Hard\u201d, \u201cSorrows\u201d and \u201cMistreated\u201d. <\/p>\n

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The cover of the Tanzania Albinism Collective\u2019s album \u2018White African Power\u2019.<\/span> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The group of songwriters called themselves Tanzania Albinism Collective and recently released an album of their songs. Titled \u201cWhite African Power\u201d it asserts their power and dignity to be themselves and to speak out for others with albinism. Songs on the album appeal to the community to remember that people with albinism are humans and deserve to enjoy human rights. <\/p>\n

These songs are uplifting and powerful with evocative titles like \u201cI am a Human Being\u201d, \u201cNever Forget the Killings\u201d, \u201cUnity is our Strength\u201d and \u201cAlbino Brotherhood\u201d. Last month they toured the UK to promote their album. The album also got wide coverage and good reviews.<\/p>\n