Tikoloshe
Encyclopedia
Tokoloshe or Tikoloshe. From the Xhosa word uthikoloshe.
The tokoloshe is a short, hairy, dwarf-like creature from Bantu folklore. It is a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by swallowing a pebble. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others. At its least harmful a tokoloshe can be used to scare children, but its power extends to causing illness and even death upon the victim.
The way to get rid of him is to call in the n’anga or witch doctor who has the power to banish him from the area.
It seems incredible to most of us that there could be any truth in the legend of the tokoloshe or the power of the witch doctor. But they are thought to exist in some parts of Africa where superstition and legend is very much alive and well.
In Zulu mythology
, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe or Hili (from the Xhosa
word utyreeci ukujamaal) is a dwarf-like water sprite
. They are considered a mischievous and evil
spirit
.
, poltergeist
, or gremlin
, created by South Africa
n shamans who have been offended by someone. The tokoloshe may also wander, causing mischief wherever it goes, particularly to schoolchildren. Other details include its gremlin-like appearance and gouged out eyes.
"Some Zulu people (and other southern African tribes) are still superstitious when it comes to things like the supposedly fictional tokoloshe—a hairy creature created by a wizard to harm his enemies (also … known to rape women and bite off sleeping people’s toes)."
The Tokoloshe, according to the Zulu shaman Credo Mutwa, has been known to take on many forms. One form is as described above, but others have portrayed the Tokoloshe as being a bear-like humanoid being.
According to legend, the only way to keep the Tokoloshe away at night is to put a brick beneath each leg of one's bed.
The tokoloshe is a short, hairy, dwarf-like creature from Bantu folklore. It is a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by swallowing a pebble. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others. At its least harmful a tokoloshe can be used to scare children, but its power extends to causing illness and even death upon the victim.
The way to get rid of him is to call in the n’anga or witch doctor who has the power to banish him from the area.
It seems incredible to most of us that there could be any truth in the legend of the tokoloshe or the power of the witch doctor. But they are thought to exist in some parts of Africa where superstition and legend is very much alive and well.
In Zulu mythology
Zulu mythology
Zulu mythology contains numerous deities, commonly associated with animals or general classes of natural phenomena.Unkulunkulu is the highest God and is the creator of humanity. Unkulunkulu was created in Uhlanga , a huge swamp of reeds, before he came to Earth...
, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe or Hili (from the Xhosa
Xhosa language
Xhosa is one of the official languages of South Africa. Xhosa is spoken by approximately 7.9 million people, or about 18% of the South African population. Like most Bantu languages, Xhosa is a tonal language, that is, the same sequence of consonants and vowels can have different meanings when said...
word utyreeci ukujamaal) is a dwarf-like water sprite
Sprite (creature)
The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, and similar beings , but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts. In Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books,...
. They are considered a mischievous and evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
.
Legend
Another explanation is that the Tokoloshe resembles a zombieZombie
Zombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
, poltergeist
Poltergeist
A poltergeist is a paranormal phenomenon which consists of events alluding to the manifestation of an imperceptible entity. Such manifestation typically includes inanimate objects moving or being thrown about, sentient noises and, on some occasions, physical attacks on those witnessing the...
, or gremlin
Gremlin
A gremlin is an imaginary creature commonly depicted as mischievous and mechanically oriented, with a specific interest in aircraft. Gremlins' mischievous natures are similar to those of English folkloric imps, while their inclination to damage or dismantle machinery is more...
, created by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n shamans who have been offended by someone. The tokoloshe may also wander, causing mischief wherever it goes, particularly to schoolchildren. Other details include its gremlin-like appearance and gouged out eyes.
"Some Zulu people (and other southern African tribes) are still superstitious when it comes to things like the supposedly fictional tokoloshe—a hairy creature created by a wizard to harm his enemies (also … known to rape women and bite off sleeping people’s toes)."
The Tokoloshe, according to the Zulu shaman Credo Mutwa, has been known to take on many forms. One form is as described above, but others have portrayed the Tokoloshe as being a bear-like humanoid being.
According to legend, the only way to keep the Tokoloshe away at night is to put a brick beneath each leg of one's bed.
Influence
- Running gags about Tokoloshes are common in the South African daily comic strip Madam and Eve
- Tokoloshe Man was a pop hit by John KongosJohn KongosJohn Kongos is a singer-songwriter. He is best known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single, "He's Gonna Step On You Again".-Career:...
, later covered by Happy MondaysHappy MondaysHappy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
and released on the Elektra compilation album RubáiyátRubáiyátRubáiyát is a compilation album, released in 1990 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Elektra Records record label. The concept was to feature present-day Elektra artists covering songs from the historic catalogue of recordings of Elektra Records and its sister label Asylum Records.Two...
. - The video for Die AntwoordDie AntwoordDie Antwoord is a hip hop group from Cape Town, South Africa, consisting of three members: Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er and DJ Hi-Tek.-Background:...
's song Evil Boy features a Tokoloshe. - Tokoloshe is mentioned several times in film The Bone SnatcherThe Bone SnatcherThe Bone Snatcher is a British-Canadian horror film based on a screenplay from Malcolm Kohll and Gordon Render, the film was directed by South African filmmaker Jason Wolfsohn and stars Scott Bairstow, Rachel Shelley and Adrienne Pierce.-Plot:...
(2003) by Titus when team countered ant-like demonic creature.
External links
- "Evil Boy (music video) by Die Antwoord, featuring a depiction of the Tikoloshe throughout the video" music video
- "'Tokoloshe' mom killer goes free", news story
- "Killer’s belief in omens, spirits led to attack on toddler", news story
- "Man who cried 'tokoloshe' guilty of murder", news story
- "Tales of the Tokoloshe", book
- "Tokeloshe", Sci Fi Channel websiteSci Fi Channel (United States)Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
- Oh, Diamond, Diamond, thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done!, South African artists' film featuring an impression of the Tokoloshe