The Ariel UFO Sighting: A Puzzling Encounter Between 62 Students And A UFO In Zimbabwe
By Sarah Norman | June 23, 2023
Ruwa, Zimbabwe Isn't Exactly UFO Central
Prepare to be captivated as we take you on a journey into the unknown, where the boundaries of our understanding are challenged and the possibility of life beyond our planet becomes tantalizingly real. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of aliens and UFOs or just beginning to explore the mysteries of the cosmos, this collection of firsthand testimonies and compelling evidence will surely ignite your curiosity.
Join us as we unravel the details of this extraordinary incident, examining the credible witnesses, expert investigations, and the lasting impact it has had on those involved. As we navigate through the slideshow, be prepared to question what we think we know and open your mind to the vast possibilities that lie beyond our earthly realm.
Are you ready to delve into this captivating encounter? Buckle up and continue reading as we unravel the enigma of the Ariel School Phenomenon. The truth awaits those who dare to explore the uncharted territories of the unknown.
Ruwa, Zimbabwe, a small agricultural town situated approximately 4 miles southeast of the capital Harare, was primarily known as a local place-name rather than an established town during the time of the incident. It served as little more than a crossroads within an agricultural region. Given its humble nature, one would not typically anticipate the occurrence of a UFO sighting in such a place. However, it is worth noting that UFO hot spots like Roswell and the Pacific Northwest often come to mind when we think about such phenomena.
The Ariel School Was For Children Of Wealthy Families
At the time of the sighting, the Ariel School held a reputation as a prestigious private institution. Its student body primarily consisted of affluent white families from Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. The wealthy stature of the families makes the sighting all the more strange. Why appear to school children? And why in Zimbabwe?
The Alien Incident Was The Culmination Of Multiple UFO Sightings In The Area
Just two days before the incident at the Ariel school, multiple UFO sightings had been reported across southern Africa. Numerous individuals witnessed a giant, incredibly bright fireball cutting across the nighttime sky, prompting a significant response to ZBC Radio's call for eyewitness accounts. While some witnesses speculated that the fireball might have been a comet or meteor, its occurrence triggered a widespread frenzy of UFO-related fascination throughout Zimbabwe at that particular time.
The Fireball May Have Been Man-Made
Some skeptics believe that the fireball that streaked across the sky prior to the UFO sighting may not have even been a meteor. Brian Dunning, from Skeptoid, writes:
[The fireball] had been the re-entry of the Zenit-2 rocket from the Cosmos 2290 satellite launch. The booster broke up into burning streaks as it moved silently across the sky, giving an impressive light show to millions of Africans.
Cynthia Hind, a local UFO researcher, noted that there were multiple alien and UFO sightings leading up to the Ariel School sighting, including a real deal report of an extraterrestrial sighting in broad daylight.
The Creatures Were Allegedly Flying Silver Discs
On September 16, 1994, at approximately 10 a.m., while the students at Ariel School were enjoying their mid-morning break outside, the adult faculty members were engaged in a meeting indoors. A few days later one of the students told the BBC:
It looked like it was glinting in the trees. It looked like a disc. Like a round disc, something silver…amongst the trees. [And there was] a person in black.
Following the sighting, when the students recounted the event to the adults, the children described sighting silvery, circular objects and they were met with dismissal and disbelief.
The Story Got Out Thanks To Local Radio
When the children returned home from school on the 16th they obviously told their parents about the flying discs and man in black. The following day the parents made their way to the school to figure out what happened, and yeah they were freaked out about their children seeing flying saucers. Between the parents freaking out and their kids talking about the sighting, the word got out to ZBC Radio, which is how local UFOlogist Cynthia Hind heard about this life changing extraterrestrial moment.
Skeptics And Believers Alike Flocked To The School
(Ariel Phenomenon/Facebook)
Following the report by ZBC, reporters poured into the Zimbabwe. The BBC's correspondent, Tim Leach, made his way to the school on September 19, three days after the sighting, to speak with the staff and students. He later said:
I could handle war zones, but I could not handle this.
UFOlogist Cynthia Hind showed up one day after Leach to speak to the children and ask them to draw what they experienced. Hind later said that the story the children gave her was the same as their initial version.
A Researcher From Harvard Believes The Children Are Telling The Truth
A third researcher, John Mack from Harvard University, interviewed witnesses at the Ariel school. Initially he believed that in the possibility that the children were dealing with some kind of shared psychosis, but after speaking with every child who would chat with him he came to the conclusion that the students were telling the truth.
At Least 62 Students Witnessed The Alien Craft
(Ariel Phenomenon/Twitter)
Based on interviews with Hind, Leach, and Mack, a total of 62 children, ranging in age from six to twelve, claimed to have witnessed at least one UFO. However, there were also several other children present who stated that they did not observe any UFO or notice anything out of the ordinary.
While the fundamental aspects of the sightings remained relatively consistent, not all the details provided by the children aligned perfectly. In general, the accounts described one or more silver objects, often described as discs, emerging in the sky. These objects subsequently descended and hovered above a field covered with bushes and small trees located just beyond the school premises.
The Creatures Were Classic ETs
So what did the children see? According to the multiple interviews, they experienced anywhere between one and four extraterrestrial creatures with large eyes, dressed all in black, get out of a craft and walk up to the students. Furthermore, the students claimed that the creature (or creatures) spoke to them telepathically and dropped a message about taking care of the environment. Initially, Hind and Leach left this part of the story out of their initial reports.
The Creatures Had An Environmental Message
(daily hampshire gazette)
John Mack's interview with one fifth-grader notes that the child was told "about something that's going to happen," and that "pollution mustn't be." Similarly, a student named Emma told Mack:
I think they want people to know that we're actually making harm on this world and we mustn’t get too technologed [sic].
Some Of The Children Thought The Creatures Were Evil Spirits
UFO writer Cynthia Hind's investigation into the sighting raised some interesting cultural interpretations of the event. First, she noted that the students were certain they hadn't seen a traditional plane, and then she found that some of the student believed that they had been in contact with creatures of Shona and Ndebele folklore called tikoloshes.
In Zulu folklore, a tokolosh is a malevolent spirit that can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone. These creatures are believed to be the source of mischief across Africa.
One Of The Most Pivotal Moments Of UFO History
(daily hampshire gazette)
The UFO incident at Ariel School swiftly gained widespread recognition as one of Africa's most renowned cases. In a June 2021 edition of BBC's Witness History, the event was referred to as "one of the most pivotal moments in UFO history." Ufologists persistently highlight this case as compelling evidence of extraterrestrial encounters on our planet. Conversely, skeptics propose alternative explanations such as mass hysteria, a practical joke, or confusion with traveling puppet shows aimed at raising AIDS awareness. Ultimately, the truth of the matter remains known solely to the students who personally witnessed the sighting back in 1994.
There Were Plenty Of Students Who Didn't See Anything
In a 2020 episode of Skeptoid, Brian Dunning noted that even though there were some students who were open about their experience with the alleged sighting, there were just as many if not more students who didn't see anything out of the ordinary that day.
More importantly, Dunning believes that the children who spoke about their sighting were exposed to modern media, so it's possible that not only were their stories tinged with the patina of the wave of '90s UFO fiction, but he states that they were interviewed together which means that their stories could have been cross-contaminated so to speak.
The Visitation Is Still Affecting The Students
In spite of the skeptics in this story, multiple witnesses stand by the authenticity of their accounts. The Mail & Guardian interviewed one witness in 2014 who expressed a genuine apprehension about the potential return of the entities and claimed to possess a heightened awareness when they reappear in the atmosphere. In 2016, another witness named Emily Trim showcased paintings she created, describing them as a visual representation of the messages she purportedly received from the beings during the incident.
The Creatures
According to reports, the alleged beings had humanlike features, but with distinct characteristics such as waxy skin and striking, penetrating eyes. Notably, the children who witnessed the event claimed that these creatures communicated through telepathy, transmitting their messages directly into their thoughts instead of using spoken words. It's unclear if the creatures had mouths and didn't use them, or if they were missing that part of their face.
Cynthia Hind Made A Mistake Interviewing The Children Together
(Ariel Phenomenon/Twitter)
Cynthia Hind, a vigilant observer of alleged extraterrestrial encounters in southern Africa, had been closely monitoring the reports of such sightings. In September 1994, numerous individuals shared accounts of witnessing luminous lights streaking across the sky, with some even asserting direct encounters with beings from outer space. However, Hind became aware of a significant event that had unfolded at the Ariel School shortly after its occurrence.
Hind promptly visited the school to conduct interviews with the children who had experienced the incident. In small groups ranging from two to six, the children recounted their firsthand observations and depicted their recollections through sketches of the "alien" and the "UFO." This mode of investigation would prove to be troublesome.
Dr. John E. Mack Began As A Skeptic, But Then He Interviewed The Students
John Mack, a renowned professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, had garnered recognition for his Pulitzer Prize-winning study titled "Lawrence of Arabia, A Prince of Our Disorder: The Life of T.E. Lawrence" published in 1977. However, in the early 1990s, Mack redirected his focus towards the subject of alien abductions, which led to the publication of his highly successful book titled "Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens" in 1994.
Mack's involvement in the field of extraterrestrial phenomena had generated challenges for him. According to IFL Science, Harvard University had conducted an investigation into Mack due to concerns that he had provided credibility to a patient who claimed to have experienced an encounter with beings from beyond our planet. Nonetheless, in Ruwa, Mack's beliefs played a significant role in establishing a connection with the children.
Some Believe That The Students Weren't The Only People Who Saw The Creatures
Hind placed significant trust in the credibility of the children's assertions. Her rationale stemmed from the fact that these youngsters resided in a rural setting, where they would have had limited exposure to depictions of aliens in movies or television. In order to further investigate the matter, Hind sought assistance from John Mack, a professor from Harvard University. Mack's involvement would uncover astonishing claims, suggesting that the alleged aliens had engaged in activities extending beyond a mere landing on the school premises. Is it possible that the students were the only people who came forward?
The Creatures Were Interested, But In What?
During their interactions with Mack, the children shared were open about their alleged encounter with the creatures. Notably, they revealed to Mack that the beings had engaged in telepathic communication with them and had imparted a message urging the protection of Earth's environment. One student told Mack:
He never said anything. It was just the eyes.... He was interested.
