The Mami Wata is a well - known African ghost - like figure. Mami Wata is often depicted as a half - human, half - fish or snake - like being. In the stories, she lures people, especially fishermen, with her beauty and charm. But once they get too close, she can bring misfortune, drowning them or leading them astray in the waters.
The scariest element is often the unpredictability of the ghosts. For example, the Tokoloshe can strike at any time without warning. You never know when it might enter your home and start causing chaos.
The story of the ghost ship off the South African coast is quite terrifying. Sailors have reported seeing a ship that looks like it's from a bygone era, with no living crew on board. It just appears and disappears mysteriously. It gives the feeling of being in a horror movie on the open sea.
The idea of being in a familiar place but having it turn spooky is also quite terrifying. Take the haunted mine. Miners were used to working there every day, it was a normal workplace, but then suddenly it became haunted with strange noises and apparitions. It's the transformation of a familiar and supposedly safe place into a place full of fear.
The story of 'The Woman in Black' is also extremely scary. It involves a vengeful ghost of a woman dressed in black who haunts a small English town. Whenever she is seen, it often foreshadows the death of a child in the town. Her appearance is pale and gaunt, and she just stands there, staring with an otherworldly look that sends chills down people's spines.
The scariest element in many African stories is often the unknown and the power of the spirits. For instance, in the stories of the Mami Wata, we don't really know what she'll do to those she lures. The idea that there are powerful entities out there that can manipulate humans without our full understanding is terrifying.
One well - known African ghost story is about the Tokoloshe. It is a small, mischievous spirit in Zulu folklore. People believe it can cause trouble in households, like hiding things or making noises at night. Another story involves the Adze from Ghanaian folklore. It is a vampiric spirit that takes the form of a firefly. It is said to attack people while they sleep.
One of the scariest elements could be the sense of the unknown. In many ghost stories, the ghosts are often mysterious figures with unclear motives. For example, a ghost that haunts an old mansion but no one knows why it's there or what it wants. Another scary part is the feeling of being watched. When the characters in the stories constantly feel like they're being observed by an unseen entity, it creates a very eerie atmosphere. Also, the sudden appearance of ghosts can be terrifying, like when a figure suddenly materializes in a dark corridor.
The Winchester Mystery House also has a spooky true story. Sarah Winchester, believing she was haunted by the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles, continuously built onto her house in a maze - like way. Workers reported strange apparitions and unexplained events during construction, and visitors often claim to feel an eerie presence there.
A real - life ghost story that sends shivers down the spine is that of the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana. There are tales of ghosts of slaves and a young girl who was murdered there. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, feeling cold hands on their shoulders, and hearing the sound of crying in the empty halls.
The Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls is quite terrifying. Legend has it that a young girl was burned alive in the tunnel. People say that if you light a match or a lighter at the entrance of the tunnel at night, you'll hear her screams and see her ghostly figure. Also, there are stories about phantom ships off the coast of Newfoundland. These ghostly vessels are said to be seen sailing in stormy weather, often with no crew on board.