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A Street Musician Fights the Stigma of Albinism in Africa

In Malawi, people with albinism face discrimination and abuse, but the musician Lazarus Chigwandali is working to change stereotypes and protect others with the condition.

Released on 10/28/2019

Transcript

[dings]

[dramatic music]

[upbeat music]

[speaks foreign language]

[Newscaster] Troubling news out of Malawi.

[Newscaster] Kidnapping and killing

of a girl with albinism and her cousin--

[Newscaster] Against people with albinism in Malawi--

[Newscaster] Many cased remain

uninvestigated or unreported.

[Newscaster] Attacks against albino men,

women, and children have been reported

in various countries around the world.

In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa,

there are beliefs that the body parts

of persons with albinism can be used

in witchcraft rituals and potions

to achieve good luck, wealth, win elections.

And body parts are valued in hundreds to thousands

of US dollars.

I became inspired to get into human rights

particularly as it relates to persons with albinism

because I have albinism myself.

I grew up in sub-Saharan Africa.

And I'm very aware of the dangers of ritual attacks.

People with albinism, just living their lives,

have been hunted down for sale on this black market.

Good afternoon everybody.

My name is Ikponwosa Ero.

I am the United Nations independent expert.

I am the United Nations independent expert

on the enjoyment of human rights

by persons with albinism.

You might ask yourself why is there a United Nations--

The opportunity to speak at the

United Nations General Assembly

is extremely invaluable and important.

And if we do not have the attention of the member states

of the United Nations, then we will be killed slowly.

And no one will notice.

We need more people to speak for us.

I don't know how but it's going to happen.

[speaks foreign language]

Hey ya.

Hey, hey.

[speaks foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

[sings upbeat song]

[cheers] [group claps]

The very first time I discovered Lazarus,

I was blown away.

I've seen Lazarus perform in the streets,

and I've seen Lazarus perform in a big crowd.

And I know that Lazarus is a talent.

He's also a human being.

We need music that tells stories about where we are from

and where are we going.

So Lazarus is the main guy to do that.

He needs to be given more platforms,

and this is what we're looking forward to.

[speaks foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

Right now, we're just taking the measurements

for Lazarus so--

he's gonna make a nice suit for this guy.

We are going to make him a superstar.

[upbeat music]

[speaks foreign language]

[sings in foreign language]

[crowd cheers]

[upbeat music]

[speaks foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

The way he's looking now,

this is a proper transformation for him.

He's gonna be a superstar now.

But to be a music star in Malawi,

you have to make a music video.

We're here in Area 49, Lilongwe.

We are about to shoot Lazarus' video.

And he's talking about stomping the devil,

so my guy here is gonna be the devil.

We are attracting a lot of attention here.

Little kids.

Yeah, welcome to Malawi.

This is the vibe.

Lazarus music video, take one.

[upbeat music]

The first time I saw and heard Lazarus

was when a friend of mine

showed me a little videoed interview

of Lazarus and a couple of songs of him busking.

I was blown away straight away by the songs.

He's kinda like this got almost punk rocky

traditional songs played on a homemade banjo

and kicking a little kick drum.

He had so much soul.

That caught me, and I was like I really

wanna make a record, but then very quickly

this story's so much bigger than just

making a record with Lazarus.

'Cause the more he's in the spotlight,

the more people will realize that there's

nothing magical or strange about people with albinism.

Lazarus?

[Lazarus] Yes, my friend.

[laughs]

[strums guitar]

[laughs]

That's the intro of the album right there.

[laughs]

[upbeat music]

We come to Lazarus house.

This is where we're gonna try to record the album.

I'm sure there'll be a big crowd gathering.

But that'd be a great vibe to capture.

[upbeat music]

[rhythmic claps]

He has to put water on his chinning pegs

for them swell just a little bit extra,

so he can actually get the grip

that's needed to hold the string for the tuning.

This is the best part to record.

It's amazing.

It's just the perfect amount of kids and noises

and liveliness.

No, it's perfect.

[beat plays]

I took, basically, some of the kicks

from Lazarus little kick drum.

And programmed it in a beat.

One, two, three, and--

[group vocalizes]

[speaks foreign language]

[sings in foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

[sings in foreign language]

[sings in foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

Yes, Laz!

Yes.

[sings in foreign language]

[audience claps]

[speaks foreign language]

Stand up please.

Stand up, stand up, stand up.

[sings in foreign language]

This in my hand is Harrison.

Harrison is nine years old.

Harrison had a brother, a twin brother.

His name was Harris.

Harrison and Harris, when they were sleeping,

people wanted to abduct and kill these twins.

So they just grabbed the twin brother.

And left this one.

[speaks foreign language]

Having a person with albinism do something

as relatable as music, such as Lazarus is doing

right now, the grassroots is extremely powerful.

Because they're gonna see not only Lazarus,

the man with albinism, but Lazarus a musician.

Lazarus the advocate.

And above all, Lazarus the human person.

[Skype phone rings]

[Clem] Hello?

Hello?

Yeah.

[Ikponwosa] How are you?

[Clem] Good, and yourself?

Very good.

So I'm very happy to be able to talk to you

and to be able to see you.

If you don't mind, I want to find out

how are you feeling?

How are things so far there?

A lot of people on social media are

working out that this is bad, this is wrong.

They're trying to pressure the government.

It's 2019, and this thing has still not been resolved.

I know that your music is very powerful

in making the minds of people change.

So I really want to thank you for the role you play in this.

[speaks foreign language]

He says this is the most-- one of the most

important meetings he has ever had.

[speaks foreign language] woman

fighting for the pride of people like him.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I am very happy to hear that

because I feel the same way.

Every time I speak to people like you, Lazarus,

I have the strength to carry on.

[speaks foreign language]

[upbeat music] [rhythmic claps]

[speaks foreign language]

Ah, Johan.

Yes, brother.

[speaks foreign language]

Lake of Stars is this amazing festival in Malawi.

Lazarus is wearing his first artist wristband.

And he's playing on the main stage,

so it's gonna be real special.

[Hype man] Malawi, are you ready?

Lake of Stars is excited to present to you

Lazarus! [crowd cheers]

[sings in foreign language]

Amazing, brother.

Thank you, my brother.

[Reporter] The Lake of Stars festival

is happening this weekend.

Be sure to check out the country's newest

rising star, Lazarus Chigwandali.

[sings in foreign language]

[speaks foreign language]

The committee shall now hear a report

by the independent expert on the enjoyment of human rights

of persons with albinism.

Miss Ikponwosa Ero.

Miss Ero, you have the floor.

Persons with albinism represent a relatively small segment

of the population across the globe,

yet they face some of the most extreme forms

of discrimination, basically, hate crimes

against persons with albinism.

Highest priority must be given to people with albinism

in sub-Saharan Africa.

The way people are being hunted,

and their body parts being used,

the fact that that's still happening til today

is something that I cannot overemphasize.

This is an issue that deals with people's lives.

People's ability to survive.

And above all, it's an issue that can be solved.

[crowd cheers]

[speaks foreign language]

[upbeat music]

Starring: Lazarus Chigwandali, Bryn Mooser, David Darg