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Born with a price tag on their heads: Albinos in Tanzania who face being killed by doctors to bring good luck spotlight their own plight in powerful photos
Photos highlight suffering of young albinos in Tanzania who are often hunted down, mutilated and killed
Their body parts are sometimes used in witch doctors' spells and potions in an attempt to bring good luck
Albinos represent one in every approximately 1,400 births in Tanzania - the largest proportion in all of Africa
Photographer Marinka Masséus captured striking images of people with albinism during a visit to the country
By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

Powerful photographs have emerged shining a spotlight on Tanzania's persecuted albino children who face being hunted down, mutilated and killed.
A child born with albinism starts life with a price tag on their head in the east African country because their body parts are sometimes used in witch doctors' spells and potions to bring good luck.
In some areas, albino hunters brutally hack off the hair, arms, legs, skin, eyes, and genitals of their victims - abandoning them dead or alive.
Albinos represent one in every approximately 1,400 births in Tanzania - the largest proportion in all of Africa. The condition stems from a genetic condition caused by a reduction in melanin, the pigment which colours skin, hair and eyes
Dutch photographer Marinka Masséus captured these stunning images of people with albinism (PWA) during a visit to the country.

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

Albinism causes extremely pale hair, skin and eyes, eyesight problems and sensitivity to light.
While globally it affects approximately one in 20,000 people, in Tanzania and other parts of east Africa that figure is much higher, likely a result of consanguinity.
Albino body parts are highly valued in witchcraft and can fetch a high price in the country. Superstition leads many to believe children with the condition are ghosts who bring bad luck.
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.
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.
The government is also working with activists Stichting Afrikaanse Albinos to provide high quality sunscreen to protect PWA from skin cancer.
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.

HUNTED DOWN FOR WITCH DOCTOR SPELLS: HOW ALBINOS IN TANZANIA FACE DAILY PERSECUTION
Albinos represent about one in every 1,400 births in Tanzania - the largest proportion in all of Africa.

The condition stems from a genetic condition caused by a reduction in melanin, the pigment which colours skin, hair and eyes.

Albino body parts are highly valued in witchcraft and can fetch a high price in Tanzania. Superstition leads many to believe albino children are ghosts who bring bad luck.

Some believe the limbs are more potent if the victims scream during amputation, according to a 2013 United Nations report.

Albinism is a congenital disorder affecting about one in 20,000 people worldwide who lack pigment in their skin, hair and eyes. It is more common in sub-Saharan Africa and affects about one Tanzanian in 1,400.

In 2015, United Nations officials estimated about 75 albinos had been killed in the east African nation since 2000.

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

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4334330/Albinos-Tanzania-face-killed-body-parts.html#ixzz4bxLcQFMv
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[color=#004400] Unfortunately, Nigeria is not a safe haven either. [/color]

Can weather/climate be a major factor in influencing behavior.

I am just trying to reason why black Africans act and behave identically