ar, hundreds of babies die for no more reason than the circumstances of their births.

In the remote Kara, Banna and Hamar tribes of southern Ethiopia, children known as “mingi,” or cursed, are killed for reasons ranging from the mother’s plan to have a baby not being properly announced to the tribe to the child’s top teeth coming before their bottom teeth. The tribes kill the children because they feel their lives put the entire tribe in danger, a practice that continues today despite the combined efforts of Banna Christians and international humanitarian groups who are working to save the children.

“It’s like the mothers feel the village or tribe is greater than they are,” said Rick Egan, a photojournalist who traveled to Ethiopia with Matthew D. LaPlante to write a story about mingi babies that CNN went on to run. Egan spoke recently to the Bountiful Rotary about his experience in the country. “They’re sad, but they’re willing to sacrifice their child for the greater good of the people.”

For more information check out May 17 addition of the Davis Clipper.