There might also be the Adze. It's a vampiric - like being that takes the form of a firefly. It preys on the blood of humans, especially children. The idea of a seemingly innocent firefly being a blood - sucking monster is quite horrifying in the context of an African horror story.
Another possible monster could be the Tokoloshe. It's a dwarf - like creature that is often associated with mischief and evil deeds. It can enter people's houses at night and cause all sorts of trouble, from stealing things to causing nightmares or even harming people physically.
I'm not sure of a specific well - known African story with exactly a tiger behind the tree. But it could be in some local or less - known tales where storytellers have incorporated this idea for the reasons mentioned before, like adding an element of the unexpected.
One more author to consider is Henrietta Rose - Innes. Her writing can be quite atmospheric and spooky. She often delves into the darker aspects of South African life, whether it's the isolation of certain areas or the secrets that lie within old buildings. Her stories can make you feel a sense of unease as you read about the characters' encounters with the unknown in the South African context.
One common theme is the presence of malevolent spirits. In many African cultures, there are beliefs in spirits that can cause harm to humans. For example, the Tokoloshe in Zulu folklore is a small, mischievous and often malevolent creature that can bring misfortune or even death. Another theme is the power of witchcraft. Witchcraft is often feared as it can be used to curse people, disrupt communities or cause strange and unexplainable events. Also, ancestral curses play a part. If ancestors are not respected or if certain taboos are broken, it is believed that a curse may befall a family or a village, leading to a series of terrifying events.
Some common themes include the supernatural elements deeply rooted in African folklore, like ancestral spirits. Also, the dark history of the apartheid era can be a theme, with stories of haunted places related to the injustices of that time.
The Anansi. It is a well - known character in African folklore that can be part of horror - related tales. Anansi is often depicted as a trickster spider, and in some versions, his actions can lead to dark and spooky situations for other characters. Another is the Mami Wata. She is a water spirit, and in some horror stories, she lures people into the water, often to their doom.
No, I haven't. There are so many horror stories from different places, and without more details, it's difficult to say if I've heard one specifically related to Amarillo.
No, I haven't actually. There could be many different versions of such a story created by various people, but I haven't come across a specific one yet.
No, I haven't actually. There could be many out there but I'm not familiar with a particular one.
One South African horror story could be about an old, abandoned mental asylum on the outskirts of a small town. People say that at night, strange noises come from the building. Lights flicker in the empty wards, and shadows move where there should be no one. It is said that the spirits of the patients who suffered there long ago still roam the halls, unable to find peace.
One specific element is the use of animal characters to convey moral lessons. In African stories, animals often represent different human traits. In The Lion King, the lions represent leadership and royalty, while the hyenas are more devious. Another element is the importance of the natural environment. The African savannah setting in the movie is crucial, just as African stories often center around nature.