Anthropologist Dr. Nora Groce from University College London discusses the troubling connection between disability and witchcraft accusations. Dr. Groce shares her research on why people with disabilities are targeted, including her study on the experience of persons with albinism in East Africa. We explore how traditional beliefs create stigma, discuss the global disability rights movement, and examine community-based solutions to protect vulnerable populations. This conversation will inform you on lesser-understood human rights issues related to witchcraft accusations worldwide.

Buy Book: Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard Co-Authored by Nora Groce

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Prof. Nora Groce on World Disability Day

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In this scholarly episode of Witch Hunt Podcast, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack welcome historian Dr. Michael Ostling to examine one of witchcraft history's most persistent legends: the hallucinogenic flying ointment.

Dr. Ostling carefully separates historical evidence from modern misconceptions, revealing how contemporary interpretations often reflect our own misogynistic projections rather than the experiences of those accused of witchcraft. Through thoughtful analysis, this episode respects the memory of innocent victims while providing listeners with a deeper understanding of how witchcraft myths evolve and persist across centuries.

This conversation challenges popular assumptions and offers valuable historical context on this fascinating yet frequently misunderstood aspect of witch hunt history.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of explicit sexual content related to historical witchcraft allegations.Michael Ostling's Research

Buy: Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom, edited by Michael Ostling

Buy: Emotions in the History of Witchcraft, co-edited by Michael Ostling

Buy: Between the Devil and the Host Imagining Witchcraft in Early Modern Poland, by Michael Ostling

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In this powerful episode, Josh and Sarah welcome Peter Ogik, Executive Director of Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism in Uganda, who shares his personal story and advocacy work.

About our guest: Peter Ogik was born and raised on an island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. As the first person with albinism in his community of about 600 people, Peter faced discrimination from birth but was fortunate to have supportive parents who advocated for him, especially in school settings where he initially struggled due to bullying and visual impairments associated with albinism.

Key topics discussed:

• Personal experiences with discrimination: Peter shares how he was called "a thing" rather than a person, and how children were told not to sit near him because of harmful myths.

• Educational challenges: Teachers initially placed Peter at the back of the classroom despite his visual impairments until his father intervened, leading to improved academic performance.

• Dangerous misconceptions: Peter survived three kidnapping attempts by those seeking to harvest his body parts for witchcraft, based on the false belief that they bring wealth.

• Health challenges: Persons with albinism face high risks of skin cancer, with over 90% dying before age 30 without proper protection and care.

• Women and girls with albinism: They face additional challenges, including sexual violence based on the myth that intercourse with a woman with albinism can cure HIV/AIDS.

• Advocacy work: Through his organization, Peter works to:

• • Educate communities and change harmful perceptions

  • Provide mobile skin clinics and sun protection

  • Train teachers to better support students with albinism

  • Advocate for policy changes like tax exemptions on sunscreen

• Signs of progress: Peter notes how community attitudes are changing, with more persons with albinism now graduating as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals.

• International Albinism Awareness Day: This UN-recognized day (celebrated since 2015) has become a powerful platform for education and policy influence in Uganda.

Resources mentioned:

• Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA)

• Advantage Africa, a partner organization since 2013

This episode highlights how education and advocacy can combat deadly superstitions and improve lives for marginalized groups. Peter's message is one of resilience and hope: "I can't wait to see the tomorrow whereby a person will not define me by my appearance, but will define me by my abilities."

Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism

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