Calaamadaha Sixirka Iyo Sixiroolaha

In 2010, I went through an experience that deeply affected my trust in people. During a brief visit to Ethiopia, I was introduced to a woman by people I already knew and trusted. Because the introduction came from them, I believed the situation was genuine. If she had been a complete stranger, I would never have trusted her, especially in a place where I was only visiting for a short time.

I entered the marriage honestly, believing it was real. However, as time passed, I began to realize that something was wrong. The behavior of both the woman and the people who introduced her to me did not add up. Eventually, I understood that I had been deliberately deceived and that the marriage itself was part of a plot.

What made the situation even more disturbing was the realization that the woman was not entirely unfamiliar to me. I later remembered seeing her twice before in the United Kingdom — once in Hackney in 2007 and again at Clapham Junction in 2008. This made me believe that the entire situation had been planned long before my visit to Ethiopia.

As soon as I became certain of the truth, I immediately cut off all contact. Although the experience was painful, I chose to protect my dignity and move on. This event taught me a lasting lesson about trust, caution, and the importance of relying on clear evidence rather than assumptions.

The same people who wanted to inject delusion into my life did not get the end result they expected, as I am someone who only believes logic. After that they descended on spells of magic, which I believe started with the fake marriage actress — by the way, her name was Amina or Samiira.

Living in Britain for over twenty years since 2006, I have encountered several individuals who practice magic — some have even used it on me. My story reveals surprising encounters and observations about the forms of magic practiced by foreigners living in the West.

Personal Encounters: Birmingham Man, let us name him Alle Kood
From my arrival in Britain, I met people who openly admitted to knowing magic. Notably, the Birmingham man claimed to have learned magic in Egypt in 1980. He advised me to cast a spell on any woman I like to get her married, otherwise he insisted I will never have a family — and I vehemently rejected it.

Usage of Magic: The primary reason these individuals approached me appeared to be to cast spells. Magic, in my experience, often involved subtle, mysterious acts rather than public displays.

Magic and Smell: In 2018, I discovered a type of magic associated with smell, where a distinct scent would vanish within seven seconds — suspected to be a magical practice.

1. The Birmingham Man aka Alle Kood (2015)

• Origin: Buqdda Hiiraan, a region in Somalia
• Circumstances: Searching for work and shelter
• Magic signs: strange habits — waking up at odd times and finger twitching; unexplained odors lingering for days
• Revelations: Later research linked these smells to certain types of magic.

2. The Second Man (2018)

Background: From Haradhere, a small village in the central Somalia region of Mudug — let us call him TiiTiin, a cab driver and coworker at the cab office where I was the operator.

Every other driver went home at about 3am as there were no customers coming in. Because of the request of this specific driver we stayed overnight at the cab office; he kept me there saying he would wait one more hour, and then one more hour. At about 7 he said he would work for Uber instead, so I closed the cab office and went home around 7:30 and slept. I had no idea where he went then, but now I know he was meeting a magician.

He arrived home at around 9:15. I heard every movement from his first step on the stairs, to the keys he put in the door lock, up until he stood above me. While I heard everything, he called in the name of my mother and touched me while I was screaming. I felt a physical and verbal struggle but was unable to breathe. The man muttered "maybe your magic has failed you today," indicating an unsuccessful spell. Eventually I could breathe, and I reported the event to my brother.

3. The Third Man (2023–Present)

Origin: From Adan Yabaal, sent from Mogadishu — let us call him Subagle — with the sole purpose of displacing and replacing me with a second sorcerer. He came under the pretext of working for a year and a half, but stayed longer.

He is suspected of using magic to force me out of my brother's house. His wife in Somalia questioned him on the phone about his prolonged stay and why he is not coming back, and he responded: "will I just come back without dispossessing?" I don't think he is going to achieve his too-ambitious target, because I am not going anywhere until the sum of money that has been claimed on my behalf is paid to me.

He speaks only the Somali language with no formal education. He doesn't seem to know the Quran, has no Mus'haf and doesn't read Quran either; his sole skill seemed to be magic and sorcery, and something called duraan which his specific tribe practises. His unusual behavior includes staying awake four nights a week while I sleep — but that is coming to an end now, as I too am going to be awake, catching him off guard. He frequently speaks to a woman living alone in the countryside, a remote area of a city called Mahaday in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. She lives alone; no doubt he calls her for instructions on how he has to cast the spell of magic.

Throughout these experiences, I have noticed a pattern of foreign men practicing magic — often for manipulation or personal gain. My research and observations suggest that magic based on scent, calling out the name of the victim's mother, and personal rituals may be prevalent among these mainly Somali sorcerers.

Conclusion

The mystery of why these practitioners remain close and continue their practices is ongoing. I am left wondering: "Why does a witch always sleep next to me?" The story continues…