Paranormal House: Harare

Mutapa's Shadow

In the heart of Zimbabwe, where the ancient Kingdom of Mutapa once stood, a group of religious leaders from the Harare branch of Paranormal House gathered to investigate a creature of legend—the Ninki Nanka. Reverend Tendai Makoni, Father Anesu Chidziva, Pastor Chenai Moyo, Elder Rudo Nkomo, and Imam Farai Musa were united by their fascination with the supernatural and their commitment to uncovering the truth behind the myths that haunted their homeland.

The Ninki Nanka, a creature said to dwell in the deepest rivers of Africa, had been spotted by villagers near the Zambezi. Its presence was an omen, they claimed, one that foretold great misfortune. The team, each a scholar and spiritual warrior in their own right, set out to confront the entity, driven by a desire to protect their people and to understand the unknown.

Reverend Makoni, known for his fiery sermons and deep knowledge of the Ngozi spirits, led the team with a steady hand. His voice, usually raised in passionate oration, was now hushed in reverence for the task ahead. Father Chidziva, with his scholarly wisdom, brought along ancient texts that spoke of the Ninki Nanka, hoping to find a clue within their pages.

Pastor Moyo, whose expertise in demonology was unparalleled, carried with him the fervent belief that through prayer, even the darkest spirits could be understood and, if necessary, cast out. Elder Nkomo, her eyes reflecting the wisdom of the ancestors, reminded them of the importance of respect for the spirits they sought, for they were part of the land's history and soul.

Imam Musa, ever the voice of reason, compared the tales of the Ninki Nanka to those of the jinn, finding common threads that wove through the tapestry of beliefs that spanned continents.

As they journeyed to the Zambezi, the air grew thick with anticipation. The villagers spoke in hushed tones, their eyes wide with fear as they recounted sightings of a serpentine shadow beneath the water's surface. The team set up camp by the riverbank, under the watchful eye of the setting sun, which cast a golden glow over the water.

Night fell, and with it came the sounds of the African wilderness—a symphony of life that masked the whispers of the unknown. The team took turns keeping watch, their eyes scanning the dark waters for any sign of the Ninki Nanka.

It was Elder Nkomo who first saw it—a ripple in the stillness of the river, subtle but deliberate. She alerted the others, and together they watched as a sinuous form emerged from the depths. The Ninki Nanka was unlike anything they had ever seen, its scales shimmering in the moonlight, its eyes holding the wisdom of ages.

Reverend Makoni stepped forward, his voice steady as he addressed the creature. He spoke of the Ngozi, of spirits unsettled and seeking peace. Father Chidziva read aloud from his texts, the ancient words seeming to resonate with the being before them.

Pastor Moyo raised his hands in prayer, his voice a gentle murmur that mingled with the night air. Elder Nkomo offered a traditional chant, one that spoke of harmony and coexistence. Imam Musa recited verses that spoke of the jinn, of beings that existed between worlds.

The Ninki Nanka listened, its gaze passing over each member of the team. And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it slipped back into the river, leaving behind a trail of luminescent water.

The team sat in silence, each processing the encounter in their own way. They had come seeking a monster but found instead a creature of beauty and mystery. They knew that the villagers would sleep easier now, the omen dispelled by their efforts.

As dawn broke over the Zambezi, the team packed their belongings, their mission complete. They left with a new understanding of the Ninki Nanka, of the legends that wove through the fabric of Zimbabwean culture. It was an experience that would bind them forever—a shared moment when the veil between the natural and the supernatural had thinned, and they had stood, shoulder to shoulder, in the presence of the mythical.