A voodoo curse bat is a supernatural entity in Haitian Voodoo folklore believed to bring misfortune and harm to its victims. Voodoo, also known as Vodou, is a religion and folk tradition that originated in Haiti and is practiced by a significant portion of the population. It is a syncretic belief system that combines elements of African religions, Roman Catholicism, and indigenous Taino practices. In Haitian Voodoo, curses and spells are important aspects of their religious practices. A voodoo curse bat is often invoked by a bokor, which is a sorcerer or priest who practices black magic. The bokor uses various rituals and ceremonies to connect with the spiritual world and summon the curse bat.
Late afternoon, amid another lull, I walked from Ismail’s in search of dinner: green oranges, boiled peanuts, stale cassava chips. At one vendor, because I was white, a belligerent first demanded my bills, then the coins I received as change. The vendor hissed and shooed him away. It was a busy lane, full of otherwise nice folks at their fruit stands and trays of flyblown fish.
Mkubwa showed me more plants that could treat cholera, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, insect bites, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, insomnia, heart disease, nausea, blindness, toenail fungus, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, sore throat, warts, vomiting. Mkubwa showed me more plants that could treat cholera, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, insect bites, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, insomnia, heart disease, nausea, blindness, toenail fungus, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, sore throat, warts, vomiting.
The bokor uses various rituals and ceremonies to connect with the spiritual world and summon the curse bat. The creature is believed to be under the control of the bokor, who commands it to carry out harmful actions against the intended target. The voodoo curse bat is described as a dark and malevolent spirit that takes the form of a bat.
Voodoo curse bat
Wind shook the garden. A lull in rain. Briefly, we sweat beneath equatorial sun.
Mkubwa showed me more plants that could treat cholera, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, insect bites, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, insomnia, heart disease, nausea, blindness, toenail fungus, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, sore throat, warts, vomiting.
“Anything for hangovers?” I asked.
Mkubwa’s young brother hacked some sugar cane and handed it to me. I chewed a while.
“Here in our village,” Mkubwa said, “we have special doctor. If you use special doctor, you have to believe in him—to believe he can fix you. You have to get some magic from your religion. It is in the mind.”
With a wet, sugar-sticked finger, he tapped the left side of his bald head.
“Your brother is a doctor?” I asked.
Mkubwa laughed. His “special doctor” was an old man—a shaman. Pemba was known for such sorcerers and subjective wizardry embraced by most Tanzanians. Pemba’s witch doctors—waganga in Swahili—had visitors from across Africa and even Haiti, internationally known for its voodoo. Waganga could dose good luck, kill curses, cast spells, cure illness. Ultimately, witchcraft proved iffy as many Pembans, still sick, had tried waganga first crutch.
Sucking on sugar, I looked up. Northbound rain smeared the sky.
A shy man named Shoaib motorbiked me back to Wete. It was Friday—worshippers prowled the streets. Men would gather for a congregational prayer called ṣalāt al-jumu’ah (Friday prayer), supplanting the usual ṣalāt aẓ-ẓuhr (noon prayer).
Back at Ismail’s guesthouse, where the power was out, Shoaib asked me if I wanted to “drink many beers” with him at Wete’s police station.
“Police bar.” He grinned.
Though I shouldn’t have, I declined, citing the premise of getting illegally drunk with African cops, followed by a dangerous ride home in rainy darkness, plus my wish to wake early and fresh the next day for my return to Seattle via Dar es Salaam.
Late afternoon, amid another lull, I walked from Ismail’s in search of dinner: green oranges, boiled peanuts, stale cassava chips. At one vendor, because I was white, a belligerent first demanded my bills, then the coins I received as change. The vendor hissed and shooed him away. It was a busy lane, full of otherwise nice folks at their fruit stands and trays of flyblown fish.
Alone on Ismail’s dim rooftop patio, I ate slowly. Through a gap in the mango trees, I watched fishermen tend dhows in dense, sheeting rain. It was 5:15 p.m. Behind me, from the echoey stairwell, Ismail made a cameo. He was headed to his mosque for ṣalāt al-maġrib (sunset prayer).
“Be here at 6:45,” he said. “They will be ready!”
It is said to have glowing red eyes, sharp fangs, and the ability to fly silently through the night. The curse bat is believed to have the power to cause sickness, accidents, and even death to those it targets. It is said to be able to drain the life force or "loa" from its victims, leaving them weak and vulnerable. To protect themselves from the voodoo curse bat, individuals may seek the help of a houngan or mambo, which are voodoo priests and priestesses who specialize in healing and protection. These practitioners may perform rituals, create amulets or charms, and offer prayers to counteract the effects of the curse bat. Additionally, individuals may practice their own rituals and engage in spiritual practices to ward off negative energies and protect themselves from harm. It is important to note that while belief in voodoo curses and the voodoo curse bat is widespread in Haiti, it is also highly stigmatized and misunderstood by many outsiders. The practice of voodoo is often portrayed negatively in popular culture, which has contributed to its negative reputation. However, for those who believe in its power, the voodoo curse bat remains a feared and potent force in the realm of supernatural entities..
Reviews for "The Voodoo Curse Bat: An Ominous Presence in the Caribbean"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot believe I wasted my time watching "Voodoo curse bat". The storyline was so poorly developed and the acting was atrocious. The entire movie felt like a cheesy B-movie horror flick with terrible special effects. The title itself is misleading and the scenes were cringeworthy. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a quality horror film.
2. John - 2 stars - "Voodoo curse bat" had potential, but it fell flat in execution. The concept of a cursed bat could have been interesting, but the plot was convoluted and the pacing was all over the place. The acting was mediocre, and the dialogue felt forced. The special effects were also lacking, making the bat itself more laughable than scary. Overall, the movie failed to deliver an engaging and thrilling horror experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was disappointed by "Voodoo curse bat". Despite the intriguing premise, the movie lacked suspense and failed to create a genuine sense of fear. The character development was weak, and I found it hard to connect with any of the protagonists. Additionally, the jump scares were predictable and cliché. It seems like the filmmakers relied solely on cheap thrills rather than crafting a well-rounded horror film. I was left underwhelmed and would not recommend this movie to fans of the genre.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Voodoo curse bat" was a complete waste of time. The storyline was nonsensical and lacked coherence. The acting was wooden, and the characters were one-dimensional. The attempts at horror and suspense were laughable, and the special effects were low-budget and unconvincing. I found myself getting bored and disengaged within the first few minutes of the movie. I would advise anyone considering watching this film to save their time and find something better to watch.