It’s midnight, and you hear someone at the front door of your house. You recognize her voice, so you open the door, but the person standing on your doorstep is not who you thought it would be. Instead you find a witch, Nale Ba, and the timer on your life begins to tick down – you have less than 24 hours left.
Part of Indian mythology, more specifically Bangalore, Nale Ba, or Naale Ba is a witch. This witch was known to roam around at midnight or late at night and knock on people’s doors. She would call out in a familiar voice, asking to be let in. In many stories, she targeted men, calling out to them using the voices of the women they loved – mother, sister, wife or lover.
In some versions of the legend, Nale Ba is also known as “The Onion Witch”. It is believed in some parts of India, this witch knocks on doors, disguised as an old lady selling onions.
Perhaps the most popular belief is that she is a bridal ghost, looking for her husband, which is why she targets men. Unfortunately, the men she seeks are not who she is looking for, and they are fated to die within 24 hours.
Though her actual name is unknown, she is called Nale Ba because of the method in which the people were able to get rid of her. They would write “Nale Ba”, which translates to “Come Tomorrow” on their doors. When the witch would come to their home, she would see their note and leave. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t come back.
People were encouraged to wash their doors daily, and rewrite the words, to ensure the witch would not disturb them. Today, you can still find the markings in some parts of Bangalore.
If you haven’t written Nale Ba on your door, then you can simply refuse to open the door. This is a much more difficult decision, as she will beg and plead using the voice of your loved ones.
In the town of Rameshwaram, India, April 1st is celebrated as “Nale Ba” day.
If you’re still curious about Nale Ba, check out the 2018 Bollywood film, Stree. The film centers on a witch who abducts men at night when they are alone, leaving only their clothes behind. The people believe the spirit, referred to as Stree, is an angry woman who stalks men and whisks them away during the four days of a religious festival every year.
If Nale Ba doesn’t have you concerned about answering the door, maybe the Black Eyed Children will.
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