African Demons

The tribes of Africa are rich in legends of demons and evil spirits. Each tribe has it's own evil's to contend with and ways to deal with it. The varieties are almost endless, so this page will be only a sampling of the evil that lurks within the African lands. For those who have also visited the Vampyres of Africa page, you will notice that several entries are duplicated. Most of the flesh eating, blood sucking creatures are presented there, but I felt that some should also be here since the flesh-eating and blood sucking was more incidental.

In Uganda and Zimbabwe, people believe that bats are the spirits of the dead who wander the earth to haunt the living while they sleep.
In Ghana, people say the giant bat, Sasabonsam, is pure evil. Though it is a fruit-eating bat most known for destroying crops, the people of Ghana say that it waits in the forest to kidnap travelers and take them to the evil spirits of the forest. It is believed that the Sasabonsam came from another land since it has hooks on its wings, red hair and a beard. They also believe that it cooperates with both the Mmoatia, the dwarf sorcerers, and the Avayifo, the witchcraft experts.
In Southern Africa the tales of the bats are divided. One side paints the bats to be like little people with almost human faces, who once they were offered blood, would assist the brave in finding treasure. The other side believes that they are evil and bring disease.

The sheerree bird of the High Atlas Mountains is said to have breasts. The Berbers claim that in the night it comes to suckle the new born babies. The fate of the child lies in which breast it feeds from as one breast will allow the child to live and healthy life and the other will kill it.

Tales of Bori come to us from Hausa, West Africa. Just what Bori are is somewhat of a mystery. They are sometimes described as being a coven of witches, a secret society and even a community of evil spirits. Since it is generally held that disease and bad luck are caused by specific spirits, called the Bori, an afflicted individual is thought to be possessed - especially if they are given to trances and other strange behavior. In order to exorcise these spirits, or at least calm and placate them, dances must be performed by the one who is possessed. A trance state is induced by members of the Bori cult through the use of drums and other instruments. Sacrifices are made to the spirits to further entice and placate them. Since each spirit has its own type of rhythm, the cultists can determine which spirit it is. They can also determine the type of spirit through the style of dance, since that is also specific to the spirit. Once the trance state is entered, the spirit will then speak through the medium in its own voice and language. Individuals who display signs of possession are generally placed under the observation of a cult member who can identify and placate the spirit. It is hoped at that point that the visitations will be limited to the big dance. The afflicted individual, however, has to become a part of the cult but will be protected from the spirit.

Devils: There are many references to devils in Africa but despite the name, they seem to be rather benign creatures. They are described as having one eye, one leg, one arm and one ear but they can run very fast. They have the ability to disguise themselves as humans. They live in villages the same as humans do and partake in the same activities (i.e. farming, hunting, feasting). They seem to be viewed as more of a nuisance than a threat.

Hausa (West Africa): This tribe attributes many problems (medical or not) to the intervention and / or possession of an evil spirit. In order to cause the evil to leave or at least lessen the effects, a person who is familiar with the spirit dances for it (the dance is specific to the type of spirit). During the dance, the cause and cure of the evil is brought to light. The cure usually requires an animal sacrifice, typically a bird of some sort, color, and gender (again, this is specific to the spirit). The following is a list of the most prevalent evil spirits and the effects that they have:

Dakaki or Mai-ja-Chikki: this spirit is said to resemble a serpent. It causes evil eye, an affliction that may lead to stomach ulcers.
Kuri, Yerro or Yandu: this spirit is said to be a black hyena spirit. It causes paralysis.
Ba-Maguje: this spirit has no description. It causes alcoholism by making the victim increasing thirsty and eventually insensible.
Mai-Gangaddi or Sarikin Barchi. this spirit has no description. It causes sleeping sickness.
Bidda: this spirit has no description. It causes stiffness.
Taiki: this spirit has no description. It causes swelling of the stomach
Rako: this spirit has no description. It causes weakness and doziness in the old.
Kworrom: this spirit resides under tree roots. It causes travelers to trip and stumble.
Sarikin Bakka: this spirit is described as a nature spirit ruling over animals. It causes madness.
Jigo or Jihu: this spirit has no description. It causes fever, prickly heat and shivering.
Mahalbiya: this is a female spirit. She causes sores and tropical ulcers
Jato or Jakada or Janziri: this spirit is described as a "dirty" spirit, residing in sewers and gutters. It causes venereal disease which can lead to insanity.
Ba-Toye: this spirit is a fire spirit. It is related to burning houses, fields and trees.
Makeri (blacksmith) and Masaki (weaver): these spirits have no descriptions. They cause back, arm and work related illness in craftspeople.

Kishi: Kimbundu, Angola. The kishi is a man-eating demon who can disguise himself as a regular man so he can take a wife.

One tale of a kishi begins with the sea god Kianda and two sisters. Kianda wanted to find a wife and came across two sisters not far from the shoreline. He disguised himself as a skull and approached the sisters. He proposed to the first sister. She not only refused but hit him with a stick. Kianda then proposed to the second sister. She accepted his proposal and offered him food. Kianda asked her to follow him, which she did, to the sea. He flew towards a rock wall which opened when the approached. They entered and were immediately sealed inside. The young bride was then surrounded by servants who addressed her as their queen and dressed her in fine garments. Kianda shed his skull disguise and appeared before her in all his splendor. It was then she recognized him as Kianda the Sea God. From then on, they lived happily ever after and have many children. The children have human figures but can live underwater like fishes.

The tale continues with the story of the first sister. She meets and marries a handsome young man. He takes her to his house, far from her village. To her horror, their first child is born with two heads - one human and one hyena. She realizes that her husband is a kishi, a demon who eats humans. Although she attempts to escape, the demon is much faster and captures her. He then devours her and her child is raised eating human flesh.