(Honestly wasn't sure if I would do this again, but here it is!!! Part one is here, Part two is here.)
Abiku (Yoruba, Nigeria)
"Born to die", Abiku are tree (specefically Iroko & Baobab) spirits that incarnate themselves as human children, only to die before puberty. And they do this again, and again, and again... if that sounds familiar, it is because Abiku are the Yoruba counterpart of the Igbo Ogbanje spirit. Unlike Ogbanje, Abiku do not seek to intentionally bring pain to their human mothers... except when they do. Additionally, Abiku are extremely associated with monkeys. According to legend, a pair of monkeys began stealing food from a farm. The farmer killed them, unaware of the magical powers that monkeys have (source: am a monke, trust me bro). The ghost of the two monkeys became abikus, reincarnating themselves as the twin children of the farmers wife only to die after a few years, and again, and again, and again... it was only after the farmer stopped killing other monkeys, per the advice of a local Babalawo, that the abiku twins stopped dying young, growing up to be humans with the powerful mystic abilities that all twins have (source: am a twin, trust me bro).
Eloko (Mongo, DRC)
The line between ghost and living monster in folklore all over Africa is seemingly nonexistant, a motif that repeats itself in the Eloko. The Eloko (plural: Biloko) are kind of dwarf-like being that dwell within the Congo rainforests, and they are the spirits of the ancestors who live in the forest. Biloko are also maneaters that like to target the wives of hunters who follow after their husbands into the bush. Biloko have grass for hair, bulging eyes, mouths that can open wide enough to swallow a person whole, long and razor sharp claws, are dressed in forest leaves, and carry magic bells that hypnotize people. If you hear the sound of a bell while within the rainforest, do not dare go near it. If Biloko had any memories from their previous life, they are long gone by now. All that remains is their grudge against the living...
Emere (Yoruba, Nigeria)
Another west african spirit that incarnates itself as a human child, Emere set themselves apart from both Ogbanje and Abiku in that they do not die young. Instead, Emere children have the ability to travel between the material world and spirit world at will, like a child that vanishes and comes back without telling theur parents where they have gone. Emere have intense spiritual powers, even stronger than witches, and are naturally extremely beautiful. Emere incarnate themselves because they want the best of both Heaven and Earth. Despite that, they give unconditional support to Heaven while on Earth, and are smart enough to hide their goals. But like other spirit children, Emere do die early. Graduations, Weddings, the birth of their first child, Emere's last day on Earth are always their happiest moment.
Mmuo (Igbo, Nigeria)
Brits have Fairies, Japanese have Yokai, and the Igbo tribe of Southeastern Nigeria have Mmuo (which can be translated as either 'spirit' or 'ghost'). While the word Mmuo includes all supernatural entities in Igbo culture, such as the extremely powerful and worshipped Alusi, it is more common for Mmuo to only be used for lesser spirits. Ancestor spirits, Nature spirits, and stranger beings are all called Mmuo and they can be good, evil, neither or all. What truly sets the Mmuo apart from other spirits is that they openly interact with humans during Masquerade festivals (called Mmanwu).
The Ajofia is the Mmuo of the Evil Forest, a kind of community graveyard where evil doers are allowed to rot above ground which prevents their body from returning to the Earth Mother's womb. The Ajofia spirit appears as a 10 foot tall mass of black hair billowing smoke covered in animal skulls, human masks, and living bugs. Despite the fear it inspires in people, it is a noble spirit of justice that doesn't hesitate to punish the wicked and is respected by the community.
The Mgbedike is a spirit associated with war, bravery, and men. They appear as a beastial man with bull horns, sharp teeth, and other intimidating features. Their dance during the Mmanwu is fierce and aggresive.
The Agbogho is the spirit of maidens, representing with the Igbo femminine ideal (Note: all of the masquraders in a Mmanwu are men, including the Agbogho). They appears as a beautiful, pale (cuz ghost), young woman, and perform a graceful dance that emphasizes their legs.
The Ijele is the king of the Mmanwu, appearing as a tower that 45 different Mmuo dance atop as it closes the Masquerade festival, and it has the power to bring good harvests and draw in evil doers with it's magic mirror before punishing them.
