In one of the oldest deserts in the world, where the sand knows the history of millions of years ago, there is a landscape that looks like a work of art… or like a message from forces we don’t understand. The Namib Desert, stretching through Angola, Namibia and South Africa, hides a phenomenon that has fired the imagination for decades: mysterious circles among the grass, called “witch circles” by the locals.
These perfectly round, barren spots, ranging in diameter from 2 to 19 metres, are arranged with almost mathematical precision. Not a blade of grass grows inside, although the vegetation around them develops luxuriantly. Visible from a bird’s eye view, they resemble giant seals imprinted on the ground by… well, by whom?
To this day, scientists do not know why circles are formed, and if there is no convincing explanation, various theories multiply. Below I have collected various opinions and beliefs for you and as you will read – their range is huge – from termites to portals to other worlds.
One of the first theories that emerged is that termites act as underground architects of the desert. For years, it was thought that termites of the species Psammotermes allocerus were the culprits, which would feed on the roots of plants, creating dead zones. However, research has shown that while termites sometimes build nests within the vertebrae, there is no evidence that termites make them.
The self-organization of plants is an extremely interesting theory that assumes the existence of intelligence without a brain. The latest research by Stephan Getzin’s team from the University of Göttingen indicates that the circles may be the result of the self-organization of grasses, which optimize access to water in extreme desert conditions. Plants “know” that it is better to grow at certain intervals so as not to compete for scanty rainfall. This theory is supported by computer models and field studies that show that grasses can self-organize, which would explain the formation of circles without the need for termites to feed on plants. It is interesting, however, that plants also grow outside the circles and are no longer as disciplined and cooperative when it comes to access to water as grasses.
The theory of poisonous gas coming out of the interior of the earth is also one of the first theories to explain the formation of circles. The explanation was that gas was coming out from under the surface, which kills vegetation. The theory sounds like a scenario from a disaster movie, and to this day, no traces of toxins have been found.
Atmospheric phenomena and microclimate of the Namib Desert, which would be unique for this place. Some researchers suggest that local climatic conditions – wind, humidity, soil structure – can lead to the formation of these patterns. However, no model created by scientists can explain the regularity and repetition of the phenomenon.
Other theories, the less scientific ones, involve supernatural forces in the creation of circles.
Circles are signs from the gods. This is what local tribes believe. According to these beliefs, circles are messages from divine forces, warnings, or blessings written in the sand. How to distinguish which of the circles is a warning and which is a blessing. Hmm, you don’t know, it depends on what happens to you…
The Devil’s Footprints Theory. According to this theory, the circles are nothing more than traces left by the devil. Hence the frequent calling of circles in the desert “devil’s circles”. But where does the devil come from in the desert? Maybe a fire lover also likes dry and sandy places? Nobody explained it…
There can also be no theory about aliens and fairies. Proponents of this theory are convinced that extra-terrestrial beings certainly had a lot to do with the existence of the circles. For them, the circles resemble UFO landing sites or places of fairy rituals. Sounds absurd? Perhaps. But hasn’t nature surprised us many times before?
Those who are inclined to the cosmic energy explanation believe that the Namibian circles are energy “eruptions” of our planet. Unfortunately, this theory does not yet have any scientific support.
And the last, so far, theory for fans of the Outlander series… Circles are supposed to be portals that can take us to the future, the past or to parallel worlds. Some local guides strongly advise against going inside the circles, you don’t know what can happen. I tried…
What does scientific research say about all this?
Research from 2020–2022 showed that after rainfall, plants begin to sprout in the circles… which suddenly die after a few days, while the grasses around remain green and healthy. This phenomenon cannot be explained by termite activity or the presence of toxins. What’s more, in 2014, similar circles were discovered in Australia, in the Pilbara region. Interestingly, termites do not occur there, which undermines the theory of their exclusive role.
Does the Namib Desert hold even more secrets?
Witch circles are not just a biological mystery. It is a symbol of the boundary between science and magic, between what we know and what we are yet to discover. Perhaps it is the desert – seemingly dead – that teaches us that life and intelligence can take forms that we do not yet understand.
So what are the causes of vertebrae? We don’t know them yet…
Namibia’s Witch Circles is a living mystery that combines biology, geometry, climatology and folklore. Maybe it’s their mysteriousness that makes them so fascinating. Because sometimes the most beautiful answers are those we don’t know yet.
I definitely recommend seeing them if you decide to visit Namibia, Some of the circles are very close to the road that you take to the most popular dunes. It is worth stopping for a few moments and experiencing the mystery yourself, and maybe even building your own theory.
