Why Some Cultures Fear Owls: Myths, Superstitions & Witchcraft Beliefs

Owls are among the most mysterious creatures. They captivated human imagination with their haunting calls, silent flight and piercing eyes. In some cultures, owls are celebrated as symbols of wisdom and protection. In many others, they evoke fear, superstition and a deep association with witchcraft and death. The owl nests in ruins and old trees. This habit further separated it from the daylight creatures.

The owl is largely known due to its nocturnal habits. Most owls hunt and live in the dark. In ancient times, anything active at night was suspect. People had little understanding of nocturnal animals. The owl was often seen motionless with glowing eyes. It has ability to turn its head almost fully around. People began to ascribe traits to it depending on their culture. In this way, the owl became a creature of myth.

In many parts of Africa, owls are deeply feared. People of Nigeria, see the owl as a companion of witches. According to their local believes, witches ride owls to their secret gatherings. Use them to spy on their enemies. In some other regions of Africa owls are often viewed as harbingers of misfortune. If an owl is seen near a home or heard calling at night, it is often interpreted as a sign that a family member will fall ill or die.

The fear of owls may also due to the deeply rooted human instincts. Psychologists suggest that humans naturally worry about the things that move silently or unpredictably. These traits are present in owls. Their sudden appearance, silent flight and unblinking stare can cause uneasiness in the human brain. Our ancestors did not have modern scientific understanding. So they turned it to stories to explain the unexplainable.

Even today, these ancient fears influence some people. In many rural areas around the world, owls are still killed out of fear. This basically affects the owl populations because they lose their habitat due to human hostility. The efforts by educators and cultural activists are helping to change mindset of people. They have started to recognize the ecological importance of owls. Now some communities are appreciating rather than fear from these enigmatic birds.