The Cannibal Night Dancer | African Book of Monsters, Episode 2
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In this episode, I dive into the chilling legends of the cannibal night dancer said to feast on human flesh and embody the darkest fears of African folklore. But beyond the myths, how did accusations of cannibalism shape perceptions of morality, justice, and otherness? I explore the psychology behind these stories, the real-life consequences of being labeled a night dancer, and how law and society have dealt with those accused of such crimes. Is there truth behind the fear, or are these tales reflections of something deeper within us?
Intro - 0:00 - 2:01
Chapter 4 - “Cannibalism and African Zombies“ - 2:02 - 7:59
Chapter 5 - “Cannibalism, the Banality of Evil and Otherness” - 8:00 - 29:03
Chapter 6 - “Law, Crime and Justice” - 29:04 - 46:31
Conclusion - 46:32 - 48:42
Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Sq7-brM4ppo
Local Motion Safaris - https://www.localmotionsafaris.com/
Sources
A.B.C Ocholla Ayayo, “Traditional ideology and ethics among the Southern Luo”, The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies Uppsala, 1976
Harry Johnston, “The Uganda Protectorate”, New York Dodd Mead & Company, 1904.
Heike Behrand, “Resurrecting Cannibals: The Catholic Church, Witch-Hunts and the Production of Pagans in Western Uganda” James Currey, 2011
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
Isaac Christopher Lubogo, “Law of Witchcraft in Uganda Sorcery and Illuminati in Uganda, A Philosophical Discourse”, Suigeneris Publishers, 2022.
John Beattie, “The Story of Mariya and Yozefu: A Case Study from Bunyoro, Uganda”, Africa: Journal of the International African Institute , pp. 105-115 (11pages), Cambridge University Press, 1964.
J.W. Nyakatura, “Anatomy of an African Kingdom” (New York: Nok Publishers, 1973)
Tibamanya Mwene Mushanga, “Criminal Homicide in Uganda: A Sociological study of violent deaths in Ankole,Kigezi and Toro Districts of Western Uganda”, 2013
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
Okot P’Bitek, “Religion of the Central Luo” Kenya Literature Bureau University of Minnesota, 1978
Web Sources
https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/two-wanted-for-raping-suspected-night-dancer - Aisha Nalwanga
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/night-runners-kenya
https://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/night-dancing-is-associated-with-cannibalism-not-mental-illness-ssalongo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqHpE7wfnC0&ab_channel=SaltMediaUganda
https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2015/august/pamela-newkirk-on-ota-benga-at-the-bronx-zoo.html - Ota Benga
https://www.lynchburgmuseum.org/blog/2021/8/9/ota-benga-mbye-otabenga - Ota Benga
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/bukunja-the-infamous-land-of-night-dancers--1576818
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1023716-eichmann-in-jerusalem#:~:text=Evil%20comes%20from%20a%20failure,is%20the%20banality%20of%20evil. - Hannah Arendt
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/hannah-arendts-lessons-for-our-times-the-banality-of-evil-totalitarianism-and-statelessness/ -Hannah Arendt
https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1047829/proud-cannibal - Benedict Seruwu story
Special thanks to Elizabeth Atuhaire and her neighbours for sharing with me their night dancer stories.
