Abstract
An article is focused on the approach to the people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular in Tanzania where I was doing field research. That approach was transformed during time and during socio-economical changes into the shape which shows elements of fetishism. I mean, specifically, assigning of inseparable values and powers to the body parts of people with albinism. I was doing my etnographical research since december 2015 till may 2016.
Highlights
This thesis is focused on approach to the people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular in Tanzania where I have done my field research
The presence of albinism is globally the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa and Tanzania has probably the largest population among those countries: according to the estimates, 1/1400 in Tanzania is albino, which would mean the total population of albinos of around 35.000 – 40.000.2 Generally speaking, according to a 2010 Pew Research Center poll, 93% of Tanzanians believed in witchcraft
Albino killings, fetishising their bodies and occult economy in general are often associated with the global market10 and the current mentality of people in a complex society that is driven by the principle “As much as you can get in the shortest time”, which is in the direct opposition to the original tradition
Summary
This thesis is focused on approach to the people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular in Tanzania where I have done my field research. Among them we can mention either economical reasons or serious socio-political changes inside the country These changes, accompanied with the big social uncertainty and instability, contributed to the deepening of the original local beliefs about people with albinism and transformed them into “fetishism shape”. Important social changes in Tanzania, started with the gaining of independence in 1961, have been manifestated among other things by the transformation of the economic activities. They haven’t been based on “local resources” any more, but they have been started to be more centralized – in our case the bases have emerged around deposits of gold and diamonds, which have attracted big numbers of young males. It has caused the destruction of old cosmology and social order and raised the time of liminality
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