Bibiana is eleven and lives in Tanzania. She was born an albino, a genetic disease. Her skin, lacking pigment, is highly sensitive to the sun. In a country where it shines almost year round, albinism is a tragic disease to have. But it gets worse, as Bibiana learned first-hand. In Tanzania, where witchcraft plays an important social role, the arm or leg of an albino is thought to be enchanted, and its possession can lead one to great fortune, a good job, or to win an election. After the tragedy she endured, Bibiana tells us about the daily life of a girl, the new existence she is determined to build for herself, despite her fear, despite the nightmares. She shows us her life as a schoolgirl, where she learns to meet other people’s gazes, to believe again in the future, and even to laugh with her friends and her sister, Tindi, also albinos.
Her story was written in collaboration with Stéphanie Braquehais, a correspondent in East Africa for several French media, including RFI and Libération. The photographs were taken by Franck Vogel, a photojournalist based in Paris who covers environmental issues for the international press, including Paris-Match and Géo magazine
Je ne suis pas un talisman
Photographs by Franck Vogel
Texte by Bibiana Mbushi
Editions Michel Lafon
ISBN : 2749916070
16,95 €
