If you ever thought living in Africa as an albino sounds like a lot of fun, think again. It turns out they are being targeted by unscrupulous witchdoctors who value albino skin, hair, and bones because they believe they possess magical powers. From the New York Times:

Discrimination against albinos is a serious problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but recently in Tanzania it has taken a wicked twist: at least 19 albinos, including children, have been killed and mutilated in the past year, victims of what Tanzanian officials say is a growing criminal trade in albino body parts.

Many people in Tanzania — and across Africa, for that matter — believe albinos have magical powers. potions that are promised to make people rich.

Didn’t these witchdoctors learn about what causes albinism while they were in witchdoctor school? It’s not magic, it’s a hereditary genetic genetic. It’s clear the witchdoctor community needs to educate itself. The thigh bone from a albino person is no more magical then the thigh bone of a normal pigmented person.

Africa is a weird place.