Eerie Facts and Urban Legends to Explore in Darkest Africa

The continent of Africa hosts an incredible mix of tribes and cultures, each with its own language, traditions and eerie folklore and fables. While the locals live with these stories surrounding them, visitors can experience the eerie mystery and the supernatural. It is fascinating to note the similarities of these African legends to those of our own, including vampires, monsters and cannibals, or the infamous “Boogie Man.” The following are nine eerie facts and fantasies in the folklore of Africa, just waiting to be explored, if you dare.

1. The Leper Tree, Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Located in Southeast Africa, Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Mozambique to the east, Zambia to the west, and Tanzania to the north. Due to its friendly people, the country has been dubbed the "Warm Heart of Africa.” Moreover, Malawi is famous for Lake Malawi, a large stretch of water that almost feels like an inland sea, rimmed with golden sand beaches.

Meanwhile, a hollowed-out baobab tree in Liwonde National Park in Malawi is said to have been the horrific final resting places of the country’s leprosy suffers. Liwonde is renowned as the country’s premiere wildlife reserve with many species of wildlife living in its forests and marshlands. However, the park has a tragic history, which hides in the hollowed-out trunk of the huge baobab tree.

While Malawians are predominantly Christian, many of the locals follow more traditional beliefs, including their belief that those who die from certain diseases cannot be buried as the remains may contaminate the soil. For this reason, infected folk, even those still living, were bound and forced into the hollow trunk among the remains of the recently dead. On its trunk is a hand-painted sign, reading: “The grave for people who suffered from leprosy in the past.” Learn more from this video on YouTube.

2. Nyami Nyami, Zambezi River God, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is famous for the Victoria Falls, a magnificent sight shared with its neighbor, Zambia. However, it is also known for its wildlife, particularly along the Zambezi River, which flows through the country and into the Indian Ocean. However, there is more to this mighty river than meets the eye.

Known as the Zambezi Snake Spirit or Zambezi River God, Nyami Nyami are considered the most important deities for those living on the Zambezi River. Meanwhile, the god is believed to protect the locals and offer them sustenance. Meanwhile, the River God is described as having the head of a fish, and the body of a snake or dragon.

Moreover, when the construction began on the Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe in 1956, this caused devastating floods and saw many locals die. They attribute this as being caused by the Nyami Nyami. Find out more about this fascinating legend in this video.

3. The Biloko, Democratic Republic of Congo

Located in Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is bordered by Angola, the Central African Republic, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Zambia. Moreover, the country has a small coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The country has many legends and stories to tell, including the legend of the Biloko.

These demonic entities nestle in hollow trees in the heart of the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dubbed the Biloko in the Mongo-Nkundo language, they are described as mythical, dwarf-like creatures with dark red skin that is covered in moss.

They are renowned for their protection of the rainforest’s wildlife and fruits. However, while this might sound like a good role in the battle for sustainable travel, local folklore says they are unsettled ancestral spirits whose only joy is to torment the living. Find more information about the Biloko here.

4. The Popobawa, Pemba Island, Tanzania

Pemba is a Tanzanian island, which forms part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, and nestles on the Swahili Coast of the Indian Ocean.

While Transylvania is said to be the home of vampires like Count Dracula, Africa has similar tales of horror, including the Popobawa. These creatures are believed to live on Pemba Island in Tanzania and are straight out of a nightmare. During the day, the demonic entities appear human, but as the sun goes down, they morph into a horrifying one-eyed bat.

According to locals, a visitor from the Tanzanian mainland was killed by a frenzied mob in Zanzibar town on the night of Monday, April 3, 1995. The reason for his murder was that locals believed he was one of several manifestations of Popobawa, the evil spirit who terrorized the residents of Pemba Island. Learn more about the evil spirit in this YouTube video.

5. Somalia and the Tale of Dhegdheer

Located on the east coast of Africa, Somalia nestles in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Kenya to the southwest, Djibouti to the northwest and Ethiopia to the west. The country is the easternmost nation of the continent, and juts out into the warm Indian Ocean.

Somalia is located on the east coast of Africa, specifically in the Horn of Africa. It's bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the west, and Kenya to the southwest. Somalia's easternmost point is the easternmost land of the continent, jutting out into the Indian Ocean.

According to local folklore, the forests of Somalia are haunted by a cannibal woman, dubbed Dhegdheer. She is said to hide in the dark forests, waiting for someone to walk close by so she can attack them.

Stories of the woman have been passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation to teach children to respect discipline. Meanwhile, Dhegdheer is also said to visit naughty children at night and if she feels hungry, she will devour them. Enjoy the story in this video.

6. Whispering Rocks Of Ennedi, Chad

Located in north-central Africa, Chad is a landlocked nation in the Sahel region, bordering the Central African Republic to the south, Libya to the north, Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west, while Sudan borders the country to the east.

The Whispering Rocks of Ennedi are a natural wonder, located on the Ennedi Plateau. The sandstone formations are fascinating to see, but are also known to emit otherworldly sounds. According to locals, these noises are said to be made by the spirits of the plateau, who are believed to act as guardians of this land.

Meanwhile, the site features many examples of rock art, depicting herds of cows, goats and sheep. Moreover, the well-preserved art includes the traditional dances of the past, as well as people preparing food or grinding millet. Learn more in this video.

7. Haunting of the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa

Built during the 17th century, Castle of Good Hope is located in the “Mother City” of Cape Town in South Africa. The castle has a mysterious and dark history which speaks of ghosts and haunting. Among the sightings as an eerie apparition known as the “Lady in Grey.”

In the past, staff at the castle and its visitors reportedly hear voices in the historic structure, as well as the sound of footsteps. This is particularly experienced in a former torture chamber, Die Donker Gat (Dark Hole). Moreover, while it might be spooky to visit the Castle Good Hope, it is always interesting to explore the history of Cape Town and South Africa. Learn more here.

8. Legends of the Zimbabwe Ruins

Standing tall in the countryside of Zimbabwe, a great city is said to have been the seat of the infamous Queen of Sheba. While this statement might not be true, the Zimbabwe Ruins stand as a testament to the Bantu people during the period from the 11th to the 15th century.

According to Shadows of Africa, visitors exploring these famous ruins can get a glimpse into the past with an eerie atmosphere surrounding the walls of carefully layered stone.

9. The Mysterious Gedi Ruins of Kenya

Located in East Africa, Kenya nestles on the East African Coast and boasts many idyllic beaches pm the Indian Ocean. This African nation is bordered by Tanzania to the south, Ethiopia to the north, Uganda to the west and Somalia to the northeast. The country is renowned for its wildlife, including the iconic Big 5. It is also famous for fascinating sites like the Gedi Ruins.

Set near the coast of Kenya, close to the Indian Ocean, the Gedi Ruins stand as one of the African country’s greatest mysteries. The Arab-built ruins are hidden away deep in a lush, greet forest, and are believed to have been built there in the early 13th century.

According to Atlas Obscura, it is hard for archaeologists to even make an assumption about the exciting find, which forms the remains of a great city of incredible development and mysterious abandonment. Today, visitors can see several coral brick houses, a palace and the remains of a mosque.

Meanwhile, what truly amazes scientists and visitors alike is the advanced nature of the city, with its homes and streets, set up to provide running water and even advanced toilets. While the history of this eerie place is unknown, it is a fascinating look into the past in what is now Kenya.

Make sure to visit some of these eerie and fantastic locations on your next visit to Africa!