Some of my favorite news stories come out of sub-Saharan Africa. When looking at African newspapers (or news sites in our modern digital world) it isn’t uncommon to see a story on the development of environmentally friendly technology solutions like solar powered laptops and cooking stoves that run on recycled paper pellets sharing space with reports of monsters, witches, and hexes.

Recently I saw this report of a mysterious beast tormenting the goats of Namibians living in Onheleiwa and Oikango villages. While reminiscent of the chupacabras in their preferred choice of prey, whatever is attacking the Namibian kraals has a taste for more than blood. While some animals have been found with only the soft, internal organs eaten, in other cases all that remained of the goats were hooves, heads, and horns. While following up on this story at the Namibian New Era Newspaper website I decided to trying searching for the word “witch” just to see what I could find. I’ve recently been reading various 19th century travel diaries and articles on the spiritual beliefs and superstitions of south African tribal people, and was curious to see if tales of witchcraft would still be as common as belief in night-stalking monsters. The results were interesting, to say the least.  Here now, in chronological order, are four random headlines chosen from that search for your Thursday reading pleasure.

Villager Punished for Violating Grave — December 2008

Relates the story of a villager fined $400 (Namibian dollars) and six-head of cattle by the Masubia chief for employing the services of a Zambian witchdoctor for personal gain. According to wtinesses and the confessions of the accused, Jackson Timothy Siyeta, the events that unfolded near Caprivi, Namibia included a cow giving birth to a humanoid baby that Siyeta buried over the grave of his recently deceased son. While Siyeta initially claimed he was performing a ritual to protect his family, under questioning before the tribal khuta he admitted that the ritual was meant to multiply the size of his cattle herd.

Hundreds Kidnapped in Gambian Witch Hunts — March 2009

Gambians Reveal Horrors of “Witchcraft” Purge — March 2009

In these two related stories Gambian victims of government sanctioned witch hunts tell of being rounded up and fed hallucinogens before being raped and victimized by supporters of Gambian president Yahya Jemmah, who blames witchcraft for the death of a beloved aunt earlier this year. Despite cries by organizations such as Amnesty International condemning the actions, this case of superstition fueled torture on a grand scale somehow flew under the news radar in nations obsessing over Susan Boyle and Wall Street bail-outs.

Witchcraft Claim in Farm Eviciton — July 2009

Finally we have an example of Namibians reacting much in the way Americans would if more of us believed in witchcraft; by protesting and casting allegations of racism at a white landlord accused of using witchcraft to unfairly evict a tenant.

So, there you go; a nice cross section of witch stories coming out of one country over the past year. Do you have any others you’d like to share? What’s your favorite Fortean news story from Africa? Comment here, or visit the Anomaly Forums, and let us know.

Stephen E. Braude, Ph.D., author, Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Scientific Exploration. His latest title “The Gold Leaf Lady and Other Parapsychological Investigations” has been described as “top of the intellectual food chain in the study of paranormal phenomena…”

John Ventre, the PA and WV State Security Director of a large company, is a member of the FBI’s InfraGuard group. John is also the PA and WV State Director for the Mutual UFO Network. John will speak about his compelling book “12/21/2012: A Prophecy”. John is also currently co-writing a book regarding the 2008 Pennsylvania UFO Wave which should be published in 2009.

Alvin Holm, AIA, award-winning architect, past president of Classical America, professor at the University of the Arts and The New School, Board Member of The International Fortean Organization (INFO) on “Sacred Sites That Inspire and Buildings That Sing”. Harmonic relationships as they exist in architecture, music, the earth and the human body will be the subject of this investigation. Particular emphasis will be given to Greek myth and the mysteries of classical architecture.

Antonio Huneeus, science journalist, is co-author of the “UFO briefing Document” and editor of “A Study Guide to UFOs, Psychic and Paranormal Phenomena in the USSR” on “The 18th Century Masonic Labyrinth: The golden era of freemasonry and its multiple manifestations from rational to mystical to political including Benjamin Franklin and the Lodge of the 9 Sisters, Weishaupt and the Bavarian Illuminati scare, a critical look at Abbé Barruel, the grandfather of conspiracy theories..” and more!

Plus: Optional Italian Buffet Luncheon in house (noon), ***Phenomenal-I-Would-Sell-My-Mother-To-Pay-For-Books Sale of Books, Tapes and Periodicals!***Monster Cookie and Demon Drink Bar, informal Friday, Saturday and Sunday night socials and pub crawls. Sat. includes a FREE PASS ($13 value) to AVAM’s extraordinary new show “The Marriage of Art, Science and Philosophy”!

March 08, 2008, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. (moderator Alvin Holm)
SUNDAY SEMINARS AT THE DAYS INN INNER HARBOR (HARBOR ROOM)

William Fellows, NOAA quantum physicist and Metaphysician on “The Modern Alchemists”.

Sue Swiatek, is a government contractor for the Department of Defense and is State Director of VA MUFON and a  founding editor of the new Journal of Abduction Research (JAR).  She will present “New Stories From the Cryptozoo” and a witness to a recent, local Mystery Big Cat sighting.

Zohara Hieronimus, futurist, author of “Kabbalistic Teachings of the Female Prophets”, charismatic syndicated talk-show host of Future Talk and The Zoh Show, founder Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Care Center and co-founder of the A-Z Kabbalah Institute on “The In Keeper. Your 10 Dimensional Nature”.

Robert Swiatek, a long term, widely respected UFO researcher, is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Fund for UFO Research (FUFORS,) is on the national Board of Directors for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and works with the U.S. Patent Office. Rob has a new illustrated talk on “The Windmill and the AWACS:  The Conisholme and Stephenville UFO Events”.

E-mail questions?  Contact us at fortfest99@yahoo.com or call INFO at 443-564-2158.  See our website for past conferences at www.forteans.com

Saturday only $75 in advance ($25 for students), $85 after February 14

Sunday Only $45 in advance, $55 after February 14

Two-day passes $99 in advance, $125 after February 14