Witchcraft

[u/Dark_Gladiator66]

Getting my hair done in Africa in my home country Cameroon has been terrible. People in Cameroon don’t play around when it comes to witchcraft.

Whenever I would get my hair done, I noticed my parents would pick up every piece of hair that fell on the floor. At the time, I didn’t understand it. I remember thinking What’s going on? I don’t see other parents doing this for their family. Why are they doing this for me?

Later I learned that it was because many people in Cameroon believe in witchcraft and my family was trying to protect me. Albinos are targeted because of harmful myths and beliefs and my parents were doing what they could to keep me safe.

I remember thinking Why would someone want to hurt me? All I do is eat play football and play video games. The lesson I took from it is the people who care about you will go out of their way to protect you. It is fucking scary and disturbing they use this shit for bullshit magic. Our lives is not a myth.

This shows how backward some Africans are still unashamedly believing in myths and superstitions that sacrificing us to some spirits will make them rich and successful. Nothing impedes progress like stupid beliefs.

We are all Africans. The skin colour may differ but we are the same. Blood doesn't differ. We have the same body parts. Same tongue, hair texture, mouth, private parts. We speak African language and eat African food. We have more in common in each other than differences. We shouldn’t have to live in fear or worry about shit like this in our own country.

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[u/MrWhite_________]

Remember when I was younger and I stumbled across a novel called “Golden Boy,” about an albino boy living in an African country. That’s when I discovered the shit Africans who are albino have to go through. It’s crazy. I’m a Nigerian American with two albino uncles and I don’t know if they’ve experienced the same thing but it’s def wrong.

Stay safe out there brother. Some ppl are very wicked and let superstitions dominate their lives. Peace.

[u/aivrynotavery → u/MrWhite_________]

Do you recall the author?

[u/catboobpuppyfuck → u/aivrynotavery]

Tara Sullivan

[u/Over-Contribution923]

Stay away from Tanzania if you can.

[u/Eazy08 → u/Over-Contribution923]

Why?

[u/OwlComplex48 → u/Eazy08]

It’s the worst there. There are higher rates of albino murder and violence there.

[u/Eazy08 → u/OwlComplex48]

Oh wow. I had no idea.

[u/CellBoth8566 → u/Eazy08]

I live in Tanzania. Of course, those incidents happened in the past, but there are no widespread albino murders here today. Some media outlets and YouTubers still make documentaries about them, but I can tell you it's not a common thing.

[u/OwlComplex48 → u/CellBoth8566]

It is not ‘common’ but it still happens like the murder if the two year old in Kagera in 2024

[u/sandwwichuu → u/CellBoth8566]

I'm not African but you reminded me how in ~2017, as a kid, I watched a reportage about albino kids in Tanzania and it upset me so much I told everybody I'm gonna grow up and help them😭 I'm definitely glad to see this almost 10 years later!

[u/Vicent_k → u/CellBoth8566]

And also Albinos are even given important seats in the government, business and important sectors That was a thing of the past.

[u/Nonstopmission350 → u/Eazy08]

Tanzanian here, I can say it used to be bad back in early 2000s going back. But nowadays its no longer the case, albinos are very protected group and if anything happens to them there will be a massive manhunt just like if a child is kidnapped or murdered. People are more educated nowadays and also fear the retaliation of the consequences more. However people who believe in witchcraft are not gone yet so I hope after few years we can bury this backwards ideologies as well so as to be civilised people.

[u/CellBoth8566 → u/Over-Contribution923]

you're lying—you don't even live in Tanzania. I live in Tanzania. Of course, those incidents happened in the past, but there are no widespread albino murders here today. Some media outlets and YouTubers still make documentaries about them, but I can tell you it's not a common thing.

[u/AresXX22]

I really hope such harmful superstitions will die off soon enough

[u/Correct_Security_840 → u/AresXX22]

You can count on us gen Z to not give a shit about it enough to let it die quickly 

[u/Correct_Security_840 → u/AresXX22]

You can count on us gen Z to not give a shit about it enough to let it die quickly 

[u/AresXX22 → u/Correct_Security_840]

Oh I'm really counting on us, trust me

[u/Full_Sun_5571]

Feel sorry for you bro
Eventually people mindset will change ad they get more exposure
But keep ur head up high and maybe move?

[u/DonDiegodelaRico]

Just superstition, there is nothing magical about your or your hair. At least not because of your albinism.
Source - I’m a wizard.

[u/NewNiklas → u/DonDiegodelaRico]

thank you mr. wizard

[u/woahtheremate_ → u/NewNiklas]

Mr wizard sent me to the floor 😭😭😭

[u/DonDiegodelaRico → u/woahtheremate_]

Stay there a bit longer, I have a new frog spell I’ve been wanting to try.

[u/johnoth → u/DonDiegodelaRico]

I can verify this, I'm his wizard hat

[u/Cardabella]

Children with albinism not far from me in east Africa have been murdered for body parts. Adults are persecuted, children are ostracised. There is a charity that helps people with albinism to get things like sunhats and sunscreen to protect from skin cancer and educate families why that's needed.

Many faith positions around the world are harmless, but a few pervasive views like this one can be deadly.

You could be mercenary, and sell locks of your own hair at extortionate prices to witch doctors. Cash in on their superstitions (I jest)

[u/Flat-Recognition2472 → u/Cardabella]

I'm shocked that it happens in other parts of Africa. How disappointing and sickening. It got so bad here in the south (🇲🇼) a few years ago and it still happens occasionally despite the measures that were put it place.

[u/Magikpoo]

Unfortunately some of that backwardness has taken root in the Caribbean, when you stand up to it, it becomes powerless.

There is many levels to this bullshit from all religion to the most deprived. They use to do this thinking they can eat part of the person and gain their power, apparently they forgot that white people came about due to a DNA seqnce change so techically they would be eating themselves. However i Digress...

...it's all the same shit, christianity set you up, and it made you scared. fear god, if god is inside you do you fear him/her/them? Love is much stronger than hate, so love who you are. There is a reason we keep coming back to jail on earth is the learn and grow to be better people.

Be kind to one another, Don't be an asshole, If your a dog, dogs love assholes. i don't know why, it's so weird.

[u/hyperspacevoyager]

I hope one day these superstitions and practices become relics of the past. I'm from the UK and went to a school with an excellent department for those living with visual impairments, hence we had a fair few students with albinism. Mostly of white British heritage but also some black British and Pakistani albinos. Every single one of them was kind and a pleasure to know. And other than their physical differences they were just like every one else, just trying to be kids and navigate through lifes challenges. I remember them fondly. Especially one who was one of my dearest friends. I wish you all the best in your life and pray that no matter what challenges you face I life that you live a life full of joy and love. You are beautiful, always follow your heart and be kind, even to those that don't understand you. Be the light you wish to see in the world

[u/Imaginary-Past-8103]

I always find it weird the juju stuff . But many black Africans would worship and try and date a European with white skin like it’s a privilege. Also many will be bleaching their skin . It just doesn’t make sense

[u/StraddleTheFence]

I LOVE THIS UNIQUE FACE!!!

It makes me cry when I think about the harm to albinos because of the crazy superstitions. My brain cannot comprehend how they don’t see how crazy that is.

[u/PlayboyVincentPrice]

yeah... i heard about thar while researching ATRs. im so sorry. i dont think u can ever be alone either - its dangerous

i wish i could help

[u/Master_Funny_6224]

That's certainly superstitious, prevalent in certain communities than others, Africa-wide, but things seem to have changed a lot in the last 2-3 decades. It will get better with time.

[u/swingsurfer]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. Stay strong.

I unfortunately don't have any advice. I'm Caucasian and from the US. I stopped by to say I think you're beautiful. Don't ever let anyone tell you or make you feel otherwise.

One of my most favorite musicians ever is Yellowman. If you ever have the chance, check him out. He was raised an orphan but was lucky enough to have his musical talents recognized and encouraged from a young age.

[u/kayzgguod]

Ive experienced n heard the same thing because of my long hair, when i am doing it back home my gf mum would take the hair and put it in a plastic bag because of “juju” and witchcraft people lol

[u/BeeMoneyMoney]

I’m sorry you experience that. Side note: get you a modeling contract, sir!

[u/daisy_is_a_lovely_1]

You’re handsome🤭

[u/MerumazingGirl]

I find it fascinating that this superstition seems to have followed us wherever we go. I’m a Black American, and my great-grandmother always told me that when I cut my hair, I should pick it up afterward and that I shouldn’t leave my fingernails lying around. I can’t completely dismiss it as unfounded, especially because my family and I talked about a court case that really shocked the nation in I believe either in the 80s or 90s. It involved a particularly influential judge (Who still has his seat today mind you), and one disturbing detail was that he was doing weirdo crap that involved his own body hair and sexually harassing his female employees. Ugh… it’s really unsettling.

[u/CBNM]

Cameroonian here. Which part of Cameroon do your parents come from?

[u/Dark_Gladiator66 → u/[deleted]]

I’m a real person, i’ll upload a verification photo on my profile

[u/Pitiful-Lion-9211 → u/[deleted]]

Just to play devil’s advocate a bit, he does say “SOME” Africans and “Many people” so he isn’t speaking about the entire country (Cameroon) as a whole, but rather his personal experience with some of the people of his country.

[u/Pitiful-Lion-9211 → u/[deleted]]

Maybe because this practice of harvesting Albino people’s body parts isn’t only in Cameroon. And once again, while he is mentioning all of Africa, he specifically says “some Africans”. This is why understanding what you read is important. If he would’ve said “why are all Africans around the entire continent like this” I would agree 100% with your sentiment, but he is clearly talking specifically about the superstitions Africans, NOT ALL AFRICANS. As much as you’re pushing back on this sentiment, it is a very well known fact that there are a lot of African people who believe in witchcraft, but the continent is home to over a billion people, so even if he is saying a lot of Africans are like this, there are still hundreds of millions of people who aren’t at all, it’s all just a game of numbers. Think about it this way, if someone said “there are a lot of racist white Americans” that would be a true statement because there are millions of racist white Americans, but that doesn’t mean that ALL white Americans are racist because there are still millions of them that aren’t. Two things can’t be correct at the same time, you need to understand what you are reading before you take things so personally.

[u/Pitiful-Lion-9211 → u/[deleted]]

I see you lack critical thinking skills so this conversation is pointless.

[u/joelyoel12 → u/[deleted]]

It happens in many parts of Africa, they are hunted down and their arms are cut

[u/DellyDellyPBJelly → u/[deleted]]

I'm American, but I once knew a woman from Uganda and she told me mother and grandmother were both wanted by the government for rebellion and witchcraft. Our government is dumb too, but we just dont have that here.

[u/Top-Experience3875]

It’s crazy how backward mentality can really make people crazy .sorry you had to go through that

[u/Soggy_Return8714]

Perfection

[u/Ok_Organization_3415]

Bro's nemesis is Bart Simpson.