28th Annual Student Research Conference
Disability, Witchcraft, Gender Violence and Civil War in Sierra Leone: One Girl's Story
Hannah R. McDaniel
Dr. Anton Daughters, Faculty Mentor
This presentation will focus on the life and hardships of one of the many orphans from Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince, formerly Mabinty Bangura, who has gone on to become a professional ballet dancer. Michaela was orphaned at age three during the Sierra Leone civil war, and was sold to an orphanage by her uncle. During her time at the orphanage, she had to endure threats from the brewing civil war, being seen as a witch by the orphanage staff because of a her genetic skin disorder, and witnessing violence against women. This inspiring story of the orphan Mabinty Bangura not only allows us to look at how far a person can come, but also allows us to look at issues present in Sierra Leone both today and in the past.
Keywords: Africa, Sierra Leone, Disability, Witchcraft, Gender Violence, War, Civil War, Michaela DePrince
Topic(s):Anthropology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 216-4
Location: OP 2210
Time: 11:45