Black cats were commonly thought to be familiars of witches.
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Familiars are animal spirits that come from the devil and are given to witches or sorcerers as a gift. Familiars are universally known, described in several different cultures around the world. It helps the witch by assisting with the casting spells, performing magical quests, or causing a human sickness and death. It only obeys the one witch or sorcerer and will not listen to anybody else. The witch will feed the familiars with blood through her fingers, thumb, or breast. The markings on the body made by the sucking familiars were known as “witches marks.” These animals were commonly cats, dogs, mice, birds, or toads.

A common African wildcat, thought to be the appearance of the Andanara.

The legend of the Andanara come from the African tribe of the Azande. In Azande lore, the Andanara are known as wild male cats that sleep with human women. The women then go on to give birth to human children, as well as cats. The women are known to suckle on the cats. The Andanaras are known as bad luck if looked upon. They also have an evil eye, which if stared at can cause death. It is also considered unlucky if you hear their cries at night in the woods.