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The Stories Behind Egypt’s Most Haunted Houses

May 7, 2023
An old shot of the Baron Empain Palace.

Whether it’s at a sleepover or around a campfire, exchanging scary stories has almost become a rite of passage – and it’s not surprising, either. Humans have historically had this obsession with all things that go thump in the night. While some may have outgrown this childhood habit of believing in monsters and ghouls, others still retain a fascination with the supernatural. Each culture has its own legends and folklore revolving around ghosts, evil spirits, and unexplained occurrences. In China, the Hungry Ghost festival — held in the summer — is an event that sees a series of ceremonies taking place to appease angry ghosts. In Egypt, while there aren’t any festivals held for ghosts, there are certain ghosts or hauntings specific to the country — one of which is El-Naddaha, (the caller). A jinn who emerges from the depths of the Nile, El-Naddaha is said to prowl the night in search of her next victim to ensnare with her sorcerous voice. Stories of ghost sightings and weird sounds coming from abandoned buildings still persist in the country today, with some spots more haunted than others. Or so the stories…


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