Unheard Stories of the Night

What comes to your mind when one says the word "bat"? Vampires? Halloween? The coronavirus? What if I told you that for the Navajo, bats are like guardians; for the ancient Chinese, a sign of good fortune; and for the villagers of Sarsai village in Bihar, protectors of the people? As bats increasingly become targets of hate, fear, and disgust during the COVID-19 pandemic, these unheard stories remind us of the wonder and reverence that the flying mammals deserve.

 

Almost three months had passed since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported from China. Scientists hypothesised that the virus causing it could be traced back through different species of animals – the first of these being bats, the flying mammals. Instantly, even though the link between this particular disease and bats was still a matter of debate, the animal's reputation fell drastically from an already maligned status. News channels popularised long-busted myths of disease transmission, the “WhatsApp University” circulated elaborate fables of dark powers, and even celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan perpetuated the newly revived irrational fear of the innocent creatures.

Scientists and chiropterologists from all over the world made (and continue to make) every effort to reach out to people from different backgrounds and bring to light the baselessness of all these claims; they did this through public statements, video explainers, articles, and much more. Not only are bats blameless for all the tall accusations that the media and public seemed to throw at them, but they are also (more importantly) beneficial for entire ecosystems and the survival of many species (including humans). Bats are vital pollinators, for example, and they even keep insect pest populations in control. The food that we eat and survive on is in many ways dependent on the role that bats play in the ecosystem.

Despite the valuable ecosystem services that bats provide, we still see traces of fear and disgust amongst people for these wonderful and important creatures – whether it is in the form of a WhatsApp forward, a seemingly innocent joke, or even an outright claim from a relative or friend. Bats have had an unfortunately long history of being viewed as symbols of black magic, death, and evil. Few are unaware of their association with mythical beings like vampires (don’t cartoons and comic books teach us exactly that since our childhood?).

But what many are unaware about is that there are people – and even entire communities – for whom bats are important, valuable, and sacred. They find a presence in mythology, folklore, art, and even attire!

In ancient Chinese culture, bats were considered to bring good fortune. The pronunciation of the Chinese word for bat – “fú” – is identical to that of the word for “blessing”. Owing to this appreciative reputation, bat motifs make a frequent appearance in Chinese art dating back to the Qing dynasty. In these artworks, often found in vases, dishes, and bowls, bats usually appear in groups of five, symbolising fortune, longevity, happiness, virtue, and peaceful death. Bats are also shown upside down (the way they rest). It symbolises the arrival of good fortune, as the Chinese phrase for “upside-down” and the word for “arrived” sound very similar. Thus, in ancient Chinese culture, language, art, and observations of the nocturnal flying mammal beautifully come together to tell stories of understanding and respect.

 

Bats make a frequent appearance in ancient Chinese art. They symbolise the arrival of good fortune.

Across the globe, pre-Colombian cultures in the Americas ascribed an almost divine status to bats. The Navajo people of the American Southwest consider bats to be the link between the mortal and the godly. In their belief, the Bat and the “Big Fly” served as “mentors” of the night and day, respectively. They are regarded as the Sun’s messengers for night and day and associated with the “Talking God”. These are significant in the rituals of the Navajos. When the Navajo people are engaged in decision-making during their traditional gatherings and no conclusion is in sight, a “suggestion” is given through a voice from a concealed place – one that “appears” in the form of a Bat or a Big Fly.

According to a folktale of the Toba people of northern Argentina, it was a hero bat or bat-man who taught human beings everything that they needed to know to survive. Similarly, a Gê story from Brazil tells of how a bat guided people in the dark towards light. The Bakairi people worshipped the night goddess Evaki, who is sometimes represented as a bat and associated with dreams.

Bats were also worshipped in pre-Colombian cultures as rulers of the night and were a symbol of power and strength against one’s enemies. Chiefs and members of the elite would wear ornaments depicting bats to signify their own strength and power.

Closer home, communities from some villages in India are also known for worshipping bats. In Sarsai village in Bihar, bats are considered as “symbols of prosperity” and “protectors” of the people. According to local legends, a severe epidemic hit the village and surrounding areas in the medieval times leading to several deaths in the region. During this time, a colony of bats first arrived in the village, and according to the villagers, no epidemic has hit the village ever since!

Around 50,000 bats inhabit Sarsai, especially on the trees around a particular pond in the village. They are all fiercely protected (by culture and ritual) – killing or harming them in any way is strictly prohibited. The villagers believe that the bats still protect them in return – they start screaming if strangers enter the village, but never at the locals.

Further east, in the Kondoli area of Assam, indigenous people and local residents have been worshipping bats at the Baduli Khurung or “bat cave” for centuries. According to their folklore, the area was once a kingdom ruled by a queen named Pramila. No man was allowed to enter. However, a sage once entered the kingdom, and in rage, the queen stripped him naked and hung him upside down. When another sage found him in this state, he cursed all the villagers to turn into bats and the kingdom to turn into a cave. Thus, the people of Kondoli today believe that these bats are their ancestors.

Examples such as these are also found in Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji, and in the culture of the Aboriginals of Australia. The growing dominance of Western culture throughout the world is leading us to believe in their negative notions of bats. Take the recent popularity of festivals like Halloween, for example, where bats make a frequent appearance as evil creatures or animals accompanying vampires and demons. My own first impression of bats was through American cartoons and shows which depicted them as creatures only found in graveyards and haunted houses – they symbolised the presence of something outrightly wrong and sinister.

On the other hand, because of our lack of awareness about these alternative perceptions of chiropterans in cultures around the world, we do not even realise what we stand to lose. Imagine a world where every child watches a popular cartoon based on Navajo stories about bats, in which they are humble guardians and compassionate creatures. Imagine a world where young teenagers grow up with a sense of wonder and curiosity for bats, their biology and behaviour. Imagine a world where bats are welcome in people’s neighbourhoods and places of worship. I believe that the world will become such a place if our stories change; if we reject the monoculture of Western perception and welcome perspectives from the world’s diverse cultures.

I don’t see just one way of doing this; I do believe that this would require a constructive change from people all over the world in the way they accept and recognise cultures. But there are also smaller ways to begin this process – how would it be, for example, if bats found a presence in whites and blues in art (as in ancient Chinese art) as much as they do in the blacks and greys? What if to every message we receive about the dark powers of bats, we reply with a story of their compassion, aid, strength, and intelligence? And could the loud and angry news reporters cover stories like that of Sarsai and Baduli Khurung with as much enthusiasm?

I believe that this is possible. All we need is a collective curiosity for stories beyond the mainstream; for cultures, peoples, and perceptions. For the wonderful abilities of species other than our own. And of course, for the smart, helpful, and compassionate fluttering mammals around our homes.