El mercado de las partes humanas en África: cómo funciona este negocio y qué tienen que ver los rituales An investigation by BBC Africa Eye has revealed a highly organized and cruel illegal market in Sierra Leone where human body parts are trafficked for ‘juju’ rituals, often linked to kidnappings and homicides. Practicing sorcerers, known as ‘juju makers,’ charge high prices for body parts, claiming they enhance rituals for clients seeking power, wealth, or protection, with demand peaking during election seasons. The network involves ‘capturers’ who abduct victims and a distribution chain that supplies specific body parts to sorcerers for processing into ritualistic items.

• An undercover investigation by BBC Africa Eye exposed a clandestine business trafficking human body parts for ‘juju’ rituals in Sierra Leone.
• This illegal market is connected to kidnappings, mutilations, and homicides, with many crimes going unpunished.
• Sorcerers, or ‘juju makers,’ sell rituals and amulets made from human remains, claiming they enhance power, wealth, and spiritual protection.
• Demand for these services increases during election seasons due to heightened fears of kidnapping.
• The criminal network includes ‘capturers’ who abduct victims, typically children or women, and a distribution chain that supplies specific body parts to sorcerers.
• Body parts are used in rituals, dried, powdered, burned into ashes, or made into amulets, with prices influenced by body part, ritual type, client importance, and urgency.
• The significant financial incentive, especially in Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest countries, drives participation in these acts.