Despite their frequent appearances in Hollywood movies, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that shows the actual existence of vampires. But in Malawi, paranoia rules over Evidence.. and this is as a result of the widespread belief in witchcraft in Malawi
Below are 10 Things to Know About The Ongoing Malawi Vampire Killings…
1. Malawi Vampire Killings
Presently in some parts of Malawi, there are people who believe that real life bloodsuckers or as we like to call them.. Vampires are walking around draining people of their blood for magic rituals. This beliefs have brought about a series of violence carried out by mobs hunting for people believed to be drink human blood as part of magic rituals.
2. How did it start
According to the UN,The eruption of the now ongoing vampirism rumours in Malawi appear to have originated from Mozambique, and spread across the border to the Malawi districts of Mulanje, chiradzulu and Phalombe.
The eruption of the now ongoing vampire-driven vigilante violence in Malawi is now as a result of the rumours. These rumours prompted the formation of lynch mobs.
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3. Casualties
Since mid-September, roving vigilante vampire-hunting mobs have slaughtered atleast seven people suspected of trying to obtain and drink human blood as part of magic rituals.
Also, a press release from the Malawian government recounts an attack on a Belgian couple on Sept. 15. The pair were mistaken for “blood suckers” while traveling from South Africa to Cairo in their 4×4 vehicle. The release said they were “badly injured in the brutal attack and their vehicle was also smashed.”
4. Its not the first time
In 2002, this same rumour was in circulation that vampires were working with Malawi’s government to collect blood for international aid agencies. Vigilantes took it upon themselves to address the issue, stoning to death one man suspected of vampirism.
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5. How bad the situation is
The situation in the affected areas is so bad that there are reports of wandering mobs mounting road blocks all in their search for vampires.
6. Government’s Intervention
The Government intervened in the matter by imposing a night-time curfew to prevent any more deaths.
The curfew restricts movement to 10 hours a day, from 07:00 am until 5:00 pm.
7. Effect of The Lynch Mob Activities
This rise of vigilante vampire-hunting mobs has also prompted the UN and several NGO’s in the affected areas (Mulanje, Phalombe and Chiradzulu) to withdraw its staff due to safety concerns.
8. Witchcraft In Malawi
Belief in witchcraft in Malawi has also led to frequent violence against albinos, a trend Amnesty International recently described as a “human rights crisis.” People with albinism in the African country are at risk of being abducted and killed so their body parts can be sold for witchcraft rituals.
