Halloween night: The dead were not dead at House of Spirits Afrodelic night

Halloween came alive with an African twist on Saturday, October 31, as revellers gathered at Vibe House, Motiv, for the Afrodelic House of Spirits, an evening of frightening artwork, elaborate costumes, music and creative expression.

From the entrance, guests were welcomed into a horror-inspired setting, with the venue transformed into a Halloween playground. Black, orange and red dominated the decorations, while scary paintings, haunting illustrations and artistic installations gave the space an eerie atmosphere. Some of the artwork was so vividly executed that it looked like real blood had been splashed across the walls.

Among the striking messages displayed around the venue was “The Dead Are Not Dead”, a fitting statement for a night when the living seemed determined to bring the supernatural world to life.

However, the decorations were only part of the spectacle. Revellers arrived dressed in elaborate costumes, transforming the party into a gathering of fictional characters, supernatural figures and horror-inspired personalities.

Some Of The People That Came Through For The Afrodelic Halloween Party At Vibe House At Motiv Bugoloobi While Looking At A Skeleton In A Casket

Talent Africa Group chief executive Aly Alibhai embraced his superhero side, arriving dressed as Batman, while another guest channelled Captain Jack Sparrow, the eccentric pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise.

Others opted for frightening makeup, masks, dramatic black outfits and theatrical accessories inspired by horror films and fantasy stories. From mysterious dark figures to creatively exaggerated facial details, guests clearly understood the assignment, using the occasion to step away from their everyday identities.

Hosted by Sheila Salta, the event blended music, art and performance, with DJ Chapat, Dark Empress and Flo Moon among the entertainers who kept the atmosphere alive.

An Artist Putting The Final Touches On His Macabre Colorful Potrait During The Afrodelic Halloween Party At Vibe House At Motiv Bugoloobi. Photo

Beyond the costumes and music, House of Spirits was also part of the activities leading up to the Nyege Nyege Festival, extending the festival's wider celebration of music, art, culture and unconventional creative expression.

The celebration drew inspiration from Halloween, observed annually on October 31. The tradition traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People believed spirits could return to the world of the living during this period, inspiring the wearing of costumes and other protective traditions.

Over the centuries, Halloween evolved into the modern celebration associated with haunted attractions, frightening decorations, costume parties and trick-or-treating.

At Motiv, that tradition received a contemporary African-inspired interpretation, bringing together fashion, visual art and music in an immersive experience.

Rather than simply attending a Halloween party, revellers became part of the spectacle, proving that sometimes the most entertaining characters are the ones people create themselves.

As the countdown to Nyege Nyege continued, House of Spirits offered Kampala's creative community another opportunity to celebrate artistic freedom, with one message ringing through the night, the dead were certainly not dead.