The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ONE OF THE GREATEST TERRORS FEARED BY THE IBO TRIBE IN NIGERIA
IS THE OGBANJE, A CHANGELING, WHICH IS A CHILD THAT CONSTANTLY
DIES AND RETURNS TO ITS MOTHER TO BE BORN AGAIN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE
TO SAVE THE CHILD FROM DYING. MUTILATION OF THE CORPSE MAY
TERRIFY THE CHILD'S SPIRIT INTO STAYING AWAY FROM THE MOTHER,
BUT THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE
CHILD BEING BORN AGAIN BEARING THE SCARS OF THE MUTILATION
ON ITS BODY. THE ONLY TO SAVE THE CHILD IS TO FIND THE
IYI-UWA, THE ENCHANTED OBJECT THAT MAINTAINS THE CHILD'S
SOUL, AND DESTROY IT. THEN THE CHILD WILL NOT DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-13-1987