Tikoloshe

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.

Newspaper headline, December 7, 1955.

Legend

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.

"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 Kongos, 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.
• Tokoloshe is mentioned several times in film The Bone Snatcher (2003) by Titus when team countered 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.

See also

• Anchimayen
• Tupilaq

References

• "Mind, gender, and culture: A critical evaluation of the phenomenon of Tokoloshe "sightings" among prepubescent girls in Kwazulu-Natal" by Nhlanhla Mkhize, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
• Interview with Credo Mutwa

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 website
• Oh, Diamond, Diamond, thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done!, South African artists' film featuring an impression of the Tokoloshe