This dissertation is an ethnography on Filu, officially certified as maroon group since 2005, with a population of 42 families of approximately 200 inhabitants. It is geographically located in Água Fria village, municipality of Santana do Mundaú – in the state of Alagoas. In this setting, my attention focused mainly on the fact of a high rate of albinism among them. This phenomenon , considered pathological by Western medicine has become, over the recent years, a distinguishing feature in the construction of their identity as quilombola population. Thus, it is a study that takes into account mainly the understanding on how albinism among Filu is perceived by themselves. It is also focused on how albinism is defined by the health care system and by the Western medicine. These data complement the objective of this work. The main focus therefore is to observe the social factors that are related to this phenomenon of albinism and how different actors observe and act in various settings. I also seek to understand, through the bond of solidarity and analysis of their speeches , how these interlocutors affirm their quilombola identity and how albinism becomes a border demarcation mechanism among the Filu. / Esta dissertação é uma etnografia sobre os Filú, grupo certificado como quilombola desde o ano 2005, composto por 42 famílias, com população de aproximadamente 200 habitantes. É situado geograficamente no povoado de Água Fria, município de Santana do Mundaú, estado de Alagoas. Nesse contexto, minha atenção se voltou, principalmente, ao fato de eles possuírem um alto índice de albinismo. Esse fenômeno, considerado patológico pela medicina ocidental, tornou-se, ao longo dos últimos anos, um marco diferencial na construção de sua identidade de população quilombola. Trata-se, assim, de um estudo que leva em consideração compreender principalmente como o albinismo entre os Filú é percebido por eles mesmos. Também é focalizado como o albinismo é definido pela assistência médica e pela medicina ocidental. Esses dados serão complementares ao objetivo desse trabalho. O foco principal, no entanto, é observar os fatores sociais que estão relacionados a esse fenômeno do albinismo e como os diversos atores se observam e atuam em variados contextos. Busco compreender também, por meio dos laços de solidariedade e da análise de seus os discursos, a forma como esses interlocutores autoafirmam sua identidade quilombola e como o albinismo torna-se um mecanismo de demarcação de fronteiras entre os Filú.

Despite the fact that albinism affects several South Africans, it is a condition that remains deeply misunderstood. Albinism is steeped in myth and false notions, and is perceived by many as a curse and contamination. For years, persons living with albinism have been treated with doubt and suspicion. Also in schools and in the wider community, children with albinism are subjected to violence and ridicule. In certain areas on the African continent, including Southern Africa, persons living with albinism are killed for the trade in body parts for use as sacramental medicines, or sexually assaulted as a result of the belief that raping them may offer a cure for HIV/AIDS. All of this highlights the extreme vulnerability of persons living with albinism, not to mention the many violations of their fundamental rights that follow from the manner in which they are treated. Within the social context that frames the experience of persons living with albinism, the primary purpose of this study is to highlight some of the pertinent challenges faced by persons living with albinism in South Africa which compromise the full enjoyment of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the South African Constitution. The thesis makes a number of practical recommendations that will assist in promoting the legal position of this vulnerable group, while also contributing to a better understanding of albinism in general which will ultimately change negative perceptions and debunk the myths surrounding the condition. / Jurisprudence / LL. D.