Werehyena: The Terrifying Shapeshifters of African Lore | Monstrum

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African folklore dictates that unlike other werecreatures this monster is an animal that disguises itself in human form. By day it walks the earth nearly indistinguishable from humans, but at night it returns to its true hyena shape to defile graves and eat the flesh within.

Most often associated with artisan trades like metalworking, weaving, and pottery, the werehyenas evil powers are said to be passed on from generation to generation. How did the werehyena become associated with certain trades? To answer that questions, we’ll take a look at Beta Israel, or Ethiopian Jews, who became commonly accused of taking the guise of this monster—and why prejudice contributes to monster lore. #werehyena #betaisrael #africanfolklore #MonstrumPBS

Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Illustrator: Samuel Allen
Editor: Sara Roma
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.

The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.

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Quirin, James. “The Beta ‘Esrael (Falasha) and ‘Ayhud in Fifteenth-Century Ethiopia: Oral and Written Traditions.” Northeast African Studies, vol. 10, no. 2/3, 1988, pp. 89-104.

Salamon, Hagar. The Hyena People: Ethiopian Jews in Christian Ethiopia. University of California Press, 1999.

Sapir, J. David. “Leper, Hyena, and Blacksmith in Kujamaat Diola Thought.” American Ethnologist, Vol. 8, No. 3, Aug. 1981, pp. 526-543.

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