A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
Vumatiti is identified as a kind of owl in Werner’s coastal animal notes, with nyuni wa yuu given as another designation. It may fly over a house at night or perch on its roof. The stated condition is precise: if the bird hears a baby cry, the child is said to suffer convulsions. The account connects the owl with an infant inside the house rather than describing a physical attack, a carried-away child or speech by the bird.
The passage is a short report of belief, not a complete adventure or medical explanation. It identifies no particular affected baby, witnessed seizure or individual informant. Werner supplies no plumage, size or scientific species. The profile therefore retains the night flight, roof perch and heard cry while leaving additional anatomy and a proven causal effect unstated. Printed p. 74 was visually checked; the name reads vumatiti, correcting the extracted text’s misleading vumatili.
Origins & earliest records
Werner’s 1915 field-report article supplies the specific account and its stated transmission. Individual informants are retained where named; unspecified names and body details are left open.
Records & interpretation
Animals subsection p. 74, complete vumatiti paragraph; original printed name visually checked.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Some Notes on East African Folklore
Animals subsection p. 74, complete vumatiti paragraph; original printed name visually checked.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical field-report article, Folklore 26(1), pp. 60–78Werner1915 — original published field notesResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.