Let's explore this mythical creature of the Lugbara culture, known as Adroanzi. The Lugbara
are a tribe in Africa, more specifically, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The nature and physical features of the adroanzi are a controversial issue. Many myths describe
them differently, thus, their physical features and behavioural patterns slightly vary according
to these distinct myths.
One version explained that the Adroanzi were nature spirits or gods of specific rivers, trees and
other sacred wild areas. Some Africans consider them gardeners. The were also protectors but
not in the way you think. Yes, there is a catch.
At night, they followed people and protected them from animals and bandits as long as
they did not look over their shoulder to ensure that an Adroanzi was following. If the person
did look back, the Adroaanzi immediately killed them. The people they killed, they ate.
Another version of the myth described them as evil water snakes. They were nasty snakelike
creatures born of the evil Water Snake God known as ADRO.
This version of the Adroanzi were not protectors of any sort but predators.
They hid in rivers and behind rocks, lying in wait for innocent humans. If one walks
past the creature at night, one watch out! The horrid creature will follow you home,
licking its lips and waiting for you to turn around.
Whatever you do, you must not turn around. If you so much as peek behind you, then you
are a dead man. The creepy creature will promptly pounce on you and devour you.
The only way to stay safe, is to keep your eyes fixed ahead and pretend nothing is happening.
Do not turn around to see if the Adroanzi is following you, because it is stealthily
trailing behind you. Just walk straight head, till you get to home and shut the door, then
you would have outsmarted the creature and it will disappear.
In yet another version, the Adroanzi are a bloodline of the Nosferatu Clan, also
originating from the Lugbara culture of Central Africa. In this distinct version, the Adroanzi
were protectors of the local tribes, but in exchange for blood. In other words, the were
vampires!
This version of Adroanzi see themselves as the descendants of the god, Adroa, Adroa appeared
in both good and evil aspects; he was the creator god and appeared on Earth as a man who
was near death. He was depicted as a very tall white man with only one half of a body,
missing one eye, one arm, one leg and so on. His children, the Adroanzi, cared for
their human subjects, controlling their tribes through manipulating the wilderness to their
benefit. The Adroanzi also became expert gardeners, especially in the cultivation of mandragora,
and other magical plants.
They were so revered, and took great pride in the fact that they possessed mastery
over nature and the flora around them. Their control over their human subjects was so strong
that only the Western World and Christianity could break
the hold of the Adroanzi over their tribes. This decision to abandon them for Christianity,
made them develop utter contempt for humanity.
With the advent of Christianity, the Adroanzi felt the compulsion to make humanity suffer
for abandoning them. They stopped protecting the humans and instead preyed on any of the
humans they could lay their hands on. In addition, they would mercilessly rip apart and disfigure
their victim in the most horrible way. Thenceforth, Any time an Adroanzi fed, he lashed out and
abused his prey. Either he gnawed and chewed while he drank, or pummeled over and over
again, or physically disfigured the victim. All these, just to exact vengeance and satisfy
their fury.