Open Category: Photojournalism / Story (AMATEUR) - HONORABLE MENTION
Albinos Africa, ghost people.

Photo © Claudio Simunno
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I have been for twenty days (November 2015) in Tanzania in the Shinyanga region where many people living with albinism. Many of the children photographed, not to suffer persecution, living in an orphanage near the city, while the other people living in nearby villages. I wanted to photograph the ghost people in Africa: zeruzeru (the gost people), that's how they are called in the local language (Swahili), which are people affected by albinism in parts of Africa. Albinism is a genetic disease that involves the lack or a serious shortage of melanin on the skin , hairs and eyes. While globally it is estimated that one in twenty thousand is affected, especially in Tanzania in East Africa and the incidence is much higher. Poverty and ignorance lead rural people of East Africa to take refuge in superstition that believes albinos “magical” beings ". If in some areas they are seen as a punishment of the gods or carriers of evil eye, in other areas the body parts are used as talismans or ingredients to create potions to heal illnesses and bring good luck in business. Because of these beliefs albinos are victims of attacks, killings and mutilations. Some also believe having sexual intercorses with an albino can cure AIDS, a belief that often leads to even rapes against children.
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I have been for twenty days (November 2015) in Tanzania in the Shinyanga region where many people living with albinism. Many of the children photographed, not to suffer persecution, living in an orphanage near the city, while the other people living in nearby villages. I wanted to photograph the ghost people in Africa: zeruzeru (the gost people), that's how they are called in the local language (Swahili), which are people affected by albinism in parts of Africa. Albinism is a genetic disease that involves the lack or a serious shortage of melanin on the skin , hairs and eyes. While globally it is estimated that one in twenty thousand is affected, especially in Tanzania in East Africa and the incidence is much higher. Poverty and ignorance lead rural people of East Africa to take refuge in superstition that believes albinos “magical” beings ". If in some areas they are seen as a punishment of the gods or carriers of evil eye, in other areas the body parts are used as talismans or ingredients to create potions to heal illnesses and bring good luck in business. Because of these beliefs albinos are victims of attacks, killings and mutilations. Some also believe having sexual intercorses with an albino can cure AIDS, a belief that often leads to even rapes against children.
BACK TO GALLERY