OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Long before becoming famous in Burkina Faso, Line Banty became aware of her albinism when she was the only one in her family to be badly sunburned during a trip to the beach.
Now, as the host of a popular entertainment show where she dominates the screen with her colorful wax dresses and wide smile, Banty, 27, uses her celebrity to inspire young albinos to realize their potential without fear. nor ashamed. In his words, “rule the world”.
In 2015, she organized an albino street fashion show in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire. On Facebook, she has more than 10,000 fans and her publications promoting albinism frequently receive hundreds of likes.
“I see myself running a large foundation to help my albino brothers and sisters and tell them:” Hey, we are like everyone else, it’s the skin that is different, “said Banty in his studio in Ouagadougou, the capital from Burkina Faso, after the shooting.
Like many albinists, life was not easy for Banty. People with congenital disease, which causes a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes, are often ostracized. In some countries of sub-Saharan Africa, they are attacked for their body parts which are prized in witchcraft.
Banty has been kidnapped twice because of her condition and shivers at the memory of an ex-boyfriend who took haircuts while she was sleeping, for luck.
“Being just a woman is a full-time job … and then proving to everyone, especially men … that we have more in our minds than under our clothes.” It’s very hard.”
The Association of Albino Women of Burkina Faso shows recordings of Banty’s programs to albino girls every weekend to help them overcome their complexes.
“Many girls have ended up thinking that if she is a fulfilling albino, who lives freely, I can try too,” said Maimouna Deni, president of the association.
Written by Edward McAllister; Editing by Mark Heinrich
