An Obambou, also Obambo or Obamba, is a supernatural being belonging to tribes of Central Africa. It is depicted as evil, possessing the power to do evil and to do good if it chooses, having the ability to possess and cause sickness, or to want a home built for them. In some African tribes, an Obambou is referred to as a devil, or as the spirit of someone who was not buried correctly.
Possession/sickness
The Commi tribe believed that when someone is severely ill, an Obambou is a likely culprit which can be determined by a doctor or "Ogounga". The Obambou will reside in the bowels of humans until family, friends and neighbors surround the possessed person and make noise however they can. The people will sing, dance, yell, and bang things together. They do whatever makes noise to drive out the Obambou.
The M'pongwe tribe believed that a person can be born with the spirit known as an Obambou and be born insane. Most tribes that believe in the Obambou have a common belief that an Obambou can drive someone insane through possession.
Different lore
There are no idols or special symbols for the "devil" or powerful spirit version of the Obambou.
In some tribes, Obambou is married to a female spirit.