Popobawa has inspired several attacks of mass hysteria. This sex-crazed demon can destroy entire families in one night, although he is particularly fond of attacking men. Hailing from Zanzibar, an island floating in the crystal-clear waters off the coast of Tanzania, he is feared as much as the devil himself.
Physical Description of Popobawa
A shape-shifter, the Popobawa can change its appearance as easily as you change your clothes. During the day, it passes itself off as a normal person. Under the cover of darkness, it transforms into a predatory form.
The Popobawa is a hunched, human-shaped figure. Its skin is gray and gives off a sulfurous odor. Although small, its head is filled with horrors. It has long, pointed ears, a wide mouth full of fangs, and a large eye that burns in the center of its forehead. Finally, the monster has a pair of enormous bat wings, which it can wrap around itself like a cloak.
Some witnesses have described other variations in the monster’s appearance. For example, it may have a long tail or bird-like legs. It is also known to transform into an animal, or even a puff of smoke, when it needs to make a quick escape.
Personality
The Popobawa strikes terror into the hearts of the people of Zanzibar, and with good reason! There is not much complexity to this monster. It is cruel and violent, with no background or motivation to earn sympathy. Interestingly, many people believe that the Popobawa is a creature seeking fame. It targets victims who do not believe in evil spirits, so that it can violently set things right.
It is also famous for warning its victims to spread the story of its attack. If they don’t tell anyone, it will return and make them suffer again. Shape-shifting isn’t his only talent. This creature is full of magical powers, and he uses them all to hunt and torture humans. For example, his single eye can paralyze anyone who looks at it; in this way, he has been able to subdue—and then rape—entire households. There are also stories of him possessing humans and using them as mouthpieces to spread dark rumors.
Cultural Representation
Despite all the havoc and terror it has inspired, the Popobawa is a relatively new creature. Tanzania, the monster’s home, has a rich tradition of folklore and witchcraft, and many locals still believe in evil spirits called “shetani.” However, the Popobawa did not appear until 1965, and did not become famous until 1972, when an increase in rape reports led to mass hysteria.
The local population fled their homes, which were being invaded by the monster, and began sleeping in large circles around bonfires outside. Eventually, the hysteria died down, only to resurface again in 1995, then in 2000, and then in 2007.
Explanation of the myth
Local people would never provoke Popobawa by denying its existence. However, outside reporters have offered some explanations for the episodes of mass hysteria in 1972, 1995, 2000, and 2007, and these are known to involve a flying, magical rapist.
The volume of Popobawa reports has been linked to Tanzania’s political election cycle. The monster appears more often and becomes more violent when elections are about to take place, especially if the elections are highly controversial. It may be an expression of widespread anxiety among the voting population, or it may be a tool used by politicians to destabilize their opponents.
