Myth

Albino Spirit animals by Gerald Musinsky The following article illustrates how albino animals are respected and seen as sacred by some peoples such as Native Americans. I include it to show the contrast between the way animals are treated and the way humans are mistreated for having the same condition. I must say that I like and admire the respect that Native Americans have for albino animals. (I don't know how they treat people and have no opinion.) Article copyright © MCMXCIX Encyclopedia Mythica. http://www.pantheon.org Most every Native American tribe had some manner of "spirit" belief regarding albino animals. The Albino was protected by most Native American customs. Within the Northeastern Woodlands, Leni Lenape, Susquehannock, Iroquois (Six Nations) etc. One primary principle: The Albino was not to be hunted or killed. This taboo carried various curses. According to Bear Two Arrows (Eastern Delaware), knowledgeable of owl medicine, the taboo and its various curses are known among more respectful contemporary hunters with or without Native American ancestry. He relates his own experience regarding an albino owl, and it's connection to owl spirit medicine. [Leni Lenape words for: white, Wapsu; owl, Gokhos.] If an albino squirrel were hunted and killed, the hunter would suffer loss of his hunting abilities. If an albino deer were killed (and without remorse) the hunter might later loose his life in a freak accident often involving his hunting or survival skills. The general belief in certain legends concerning various individual animals persists into the 20th century, many of which can be documented. Among all tribes, the Albino animal had spirit connections, one of the strongest among the Plains tribe was the White Buffalo, a definite omen of great wisdom. The symbolic significance behind white or the quality of "whiteness" was not associated with purity as in Western culture but also wisdom and ancient knowledge of greater conceptual and spiritual magnitude. Depending on the animal species involved and how it corresponds within the greater tribal cosmological context sometimes manifests the extent of the consequences when the taboo is broken. Belief in the "spirit nature" of albino animals and the ritual taboo of protection probably has its roots in the fact that an albino's ability to survive natural predators is greatly reduced by the lack of proper pigmentation for camouflage and keener vision to spot prey. These natural attributes render an albino "unfair" game for the Native hunter, or any hunter aware of the spiritual nature these animals might possess. Even the skin or hides of these animals must be treated with reverence. Following the customs of these legends regarding the hunting and trapping restrictions were not in as much out of fear for the taboo but more so with respect to the higher aspect of Nature and the Creator. We have been made into gods as well as demons. We have been given supernatural powers of all sorts. These are often contradictory. Why is it lucky to give an African beggar with albinism a bag of rice, but bad luck to pass one on the streets without spitting? Why is it lucky to touch a person with albinism but necessary to cross the street when one comes along? Why are there stories and myths glorifying albinism in all parts of the world but we are treated poorly beyond belief in reality? I will attempt to collect stories from antiquity to the most modern myths such as the episode of The X files. If you come across any, let me know. A story of the Dogon tells of the light of God Shining so brightly on His people that "The people were turned albino by the light. " This seems to indicate that pigment can be bleached out of a person. In actuality, there is a condition called vitiligo in which pigment stops producing and the individual begins to actually turn white. There was a theory a hundred or so years ago that pigment was produced at a crucial time during the development of the fetus but that pigment could be leached out if the mother was traumatized by an unpleasant event. During this time, scientists had trouble telling the difference between what they called complete albinism and what they considered partial albinism now known as vitiligo. Urban myths about albinism We all have white hair and pink or red eyes. We all look alike We are all related to, and/or know each other We are of mixed race: we are derived from Europeans, or are Creoles We are retarded We can see in the dark We can tell the future We can put hexes on people (I wish) We are contagious We are smarter than the average pigmented person We have weak constitutions and short life spans. We are sterile Our children will be lighter in color that other children We are the result of incest