Tikoloshe

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Newspaper headline, December 7, 1955.

In Zulu mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe or Hili (from the Xhosa word utyreeci ukujamaal) is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered 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 (witch doctor), who has the power to banish him from the area.

Contents

Legend [edit]

Another explanation is that the Tokoloshe resembles a zombie, poltergeist, or gremlin, created by South African 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.[1]

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.[2]

"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)."[3]

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. However, this will not protect anything but the person whose bed it is along with the bed itself, as it may instead cause havoc not involving said people. They get their power from a hot poker thrusted into the crown of the body during creation.

Influence [edit]

  • Running gags about Tokoloshes are common in the South African daily comic strip Madam & Eve[4]
  • "Tokoloshe Man" was a pop hit by John Kongos,[5] later covered by Happy Mondays and released on the Elektra compilation album Rubáiyát.
  • The video for Die Antwoord's song "Evil Boy" features a Tokoloshe.[6]
  • Tokoloshe is mentioned several times in film The Bone Snatcher (2003) by Titus when the team encountered an ant-like demonic creature.
  • "Hosh Tokoloshe" is a pop/rap song influenced by the Tokoloshe by South African Rapper Jack Parow
  • Malevolent creatures called tokoroths appear in Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.
  • Belief in the Tikoloshe is a major part of Gavin Hood's film A Reasonable Man.
  • The Tokoloshe was used in one of the teasers for Tivvit.com, a property search engine in South Africa. [7]YouTube Video
  • The Tokoloshe is referred to several times by the characters in the British crime thrillers "Ritual" and "Skin" by Mo Hayder
  • Serial killer Elifasi Msomi claimed to have been influenced by a tokoloshe.

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ McNab, Chris. Mythological Monsters. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2007. (ISBN 0-439-85479-2)
  2. ^ Sabon.org
  3. ^ "Modern Zulu". Library.thinkquest.org. Retrieved 2012-01-29. 
  4. ^ "Madam & Eve on-line". Madamandeve.co.za. Retrieved 2012-01-29. 
  5. ^ IOL.ie[dead link]
  6. ^ "Director's Cut: Die Antwoord: "Evil Boy" | News". Pitchfork. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2012-01-29. 
  7. ^ YouTube

External links [edit]

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