Podcasts · Those Who Came Before Us

Prankster Witch of the Night: The Night Dancer

4 Jan 2025 · 38 min

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In this debut episode of the African Book of Monsters series, we unravel the haunting legend of the night dancer. What makes these figures so feared across communities? And what deeper truths do their stories reveal about the societies they haunt?

Join me for a blend of history, mythology, and cultural insight as I explore the night dancer’s place in African folklore. Whether you’re here for a thrill or to learn more about the unseen side of African traditions, this episode has something for you. Monster Entries will be updated on an occasional basis.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more on Africa's untold history. Youtube video link : https://youtu.be/Ccxfp2BNlvc Sources

Isiko Alexander Paul, “An Expository Study of Witchcraft among the Basoga of Uganda” International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE) Volume 6, Issue 12, December 2019, PP 83-96

A.B.C Ocholla Ayayo, “Traditional ideology and ethics among the Southern Luo”, The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies Uppsala, 1976

John Beattie, “Sorcery in Bunyoro”, “Witchcraft and Sorcery in East Africa”, Psychology Press, 2004

Robert Blunt, “Anthropology After Dark: Nocturnal Life and the Anthropology of the Good-Enough in Western Kenya” Journal of Religion and Violence Vol. 8, No. 1 (2020), pp. 35-57

Owen Davies, “The Nightmare Experience, Sleep Paralysis, and Witchcraft Accusations”, Folklore Vol. 114, No. 2 (Aug., 2003), pp. 181-203 (23 pages)

Published By: Taylor & Francis, Ltd

Tom Kwanya, “Stigmatisation of Indigenous Knowledge: The Case of Night Running in Western Kenya” Journal of Religion in Africa Vol. 48, Fasc. 4 (2020), pp. 376-392

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereigns’ Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016)

Okot P’Bitek, “Religion of the Central Luo” Kenya Literature Bureau University of Minnesota, 1978

Victor W Turner, “Witchcraft and Sorcery: Taxonomy versus Dynamics” Africa: Journal of the International African Institute Vol. 34, No. 4 (Oct., 1964), pp. 314-325

Kiyoshi Umeya, The Gospel Sounds Like the Witch's Spell: Dealing with Misfortune among the Jopadhola of Eastern Uganda, Langaa RPCID (Feb. 10 2022)

Web Sources

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/sleep-paralysis-causes-symptoms-and-treatments

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12133-parasomnias--disruptive-sleep-disorders

https://youtu.be/4FIqsPWiwhg?si=XYiASZ1Imzhkq9km

Special thanks to Daniel Brian Omyeri, Elizabeth Atuhaire and her neighbours for sharing with me their night dancer stories.

Links in the notes 9

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/1180802/fan_mail/new
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/e27092316
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/i30035096
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/e26948573
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/i248607
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/sleep-paralysis-causes-symptoms-and-treatments
• https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12133-parasomnias--disruptive-sleep-disorders
• https://youtu.be/4FIqsPWiwhg?si=XYiASZ1Imzhkq9km