Yeah. It was very common thing to experience demonic activities in our country earlier. Our country was mostly a jungle like area earlier in 19th century.
Why did people define them as demonic activities rather than animal behaviors ?
Well, Animal behaviors can be explained, but the activities my ancestors couldn't understand with logic, they ceased to believe that these were demonic activities.

I used to hear demonic stories from my Grandparents, mainly my grandmother. I wouldn't have believed them unless I experienced something similar. The story only contains one of my experience.
I had plenty more experience like these. I heard it has some kind of connection to Horoscope too. But I can't make people believe me, I can only represent my experience into a story.

People will only believe when they will experience these types of situation.

But,
Wow, Man !!!
I always wanted to see a lightning strike up close. I know that it's risky, but still that unknown feeling haunts me. You are lucky to have experienced it, but more of all You are lucky to be alive just like you said.
Or else, there wouldn't be any @happyme on Steemit :D