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African mythological creatures and their equivalents in other cultures

Updated: Aug 9

Part 1


In this mythological safari, we'll explore some of Africa's fantastic creatures and compare them to their counterparts from other corners of the globe. Get ready to meet monsters, spirits and mystical animals straight out of African legends, and see them go head-to-head with their distant cousins from other cultures.


A collage of black men with crowns, an African man in traditional wearing silver earrings and necklaces standing on top of rocks with sky clouds in the background and otherworldly objects floating around him

Tokoloshe and Leprechaun: Small, vicious and hard to spot


Let's start with the famous Tokoloshe, this mischievous little creature from South Africa. Resembling a goblin, he loves to wreak havoc in the home, much like an unsupervised hyperactive child. It's even said that he can turn invisible and nibble your toes at night. Charming, isn't it?

Now, let's take a look at the other side of the rainbow, where we find the Irish Leprechaun. He too is small, cunning and loves to play tricks. However, he jealously guards a pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow. Tokoloshe, learn from him, a little treasure wouldn't hurt!



The Mami Wata and the Mermaid: Aquatic bewitchment


Let's move on to Mami Wata (or Mamy Wata, Mami Watta or Mama Wata), a water goddess worshipped in West and Central Africa. Half-female, half-fish, she is beautiful and dangerous, capable of blessing lucky fishermen or dragging the unwary into the depths. A word of advice: avoid upsetting her.


Its Western equivalent, the mermaid, swims in the same mythological waters. Often depicted as a seductive creature who sings to lure sailors before drowning them, the mermaid shares with Mami Wata this side that is both fascinating and deadly. Who knows, maybe one day they'll form an underwater rock band?



Mokele-Mbembe and Loch Ness: The competition of the big water lizards


Head for the Congo Basin, home to the Mokele-Mbembe, the legendary aquatic creature often described as a living dinosaur. Imagine a brontosaurus swimming peacefully in African rivers, terrorizing local fishermen.


In Scotland, the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, is thrilling cryptozoology enthusiasts. Nessie and Mokele-Mbembe could form an exclusive club of dinosaurs that have never heard of extinction.



The Impundulu and the Vampire: high-flying bloodlust


Impundulu, also known as the lightning bird, is a mythical South African creature that transforms into a giant bird and summons lightning. The creature can also take on human form and seduce young women, and as a bonus, he has a pronounced taste for human blood. Which makes him as pleasant to deal with as a mutant mosquito.


In Europe, we have the classic Vampire, immortalized by Dracula. Both have a weakness for hemoglobin, but the Vampire has more class with his black capes and gloomy castles. Perhaps Impundulu could benefit from some Gothic styling tips.



The Grootslang and the Dragon: Giant snakes


Deep in the caves of South Africa lies the Grootslang,a half-snake, half-elephant beast (yes, you read that right). This creature loves treasure, just like its mythological cousin, the Dragon. If Grootslangs and Dragons met, they could discuss treasure-guarding techniques and culinary preferences - roasted goats or reckless adventurers?



Popobawa and Chupacabra: Nightmares at night


Head for the Zanzibar archipelago to discover the Popobawa, a nightmarish half-man, half-bat creature that terrorizes the locals at night. The anguish it provokes is on a par with that of the scariest horror films. He sneaks into houses to torment people in their sleep.


In Latin America, the Chupacabra plays a similar role. This mysterious beast, often described as a mix of reptile and wild dog, preys on livestock, leaving behind bloodless animals. Popobawa and Chupacabra could open a transcontinental night terror agency.



The Eloko and the Kappa: Man-eaters


Eloko, this mythical creature of the Central African forests, particularly feared by the Bakongo people. Eloko are spirits of the dead, often depicted as evil dwarves living in huts deep in the woods. What makes them special? An insatiable appetite for human flesh and a bewitching bell whose sound lures the unwary to a tragic end. Charming, isn't it? A word of advice: in the forest, when you hear a bell, don't move. If you do, you'll die!


The Japanese folklore equivalent, the Kappa, is an aquatic spirit often described as a humanoid turtle with a taste for human flesh, especially that of children. They live in rivers and ponds, and their favorite pastime is dragging people into the water to drown them.


Eloko and Kappa share a penchant for remote locations and a deceptive nature that lures unwary humans to their doom. One uses a bewitching bell, the other takes advantage of his aquatic strength, but both are the nightmares of lone travelers and reckless explorers.



This brief overview of African mythological creatures and their international equivalents shows that, whatever the culture, the human imagination knows no bounds when it comes to creating fantastic beings to haunt our nights and fuel our stories.

And you, what creatures would you add to this global bestiary?

If you'd like to understand more about the tales and legends of West and Central Africa, I've put together a comprehensive guide describing the tales and legends from the different regions of West and Central Africa. Get it for free by subscribing to our mailing list!


Don't forget to share this article with your friends, leave a comment and tell us which creature terrifies or fascinates you the most!

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