The Tokoloshi is a short hairy dwarf-like, gremlin-like creature of Bantu folklore. The Zulu and Xhosa people are very superstitious of this creature, but he is also feared by many African nations. The lore of the Tokoloshi varies depending on the region, but most are fairly consistent in the nature of the Tokoloshi.
Some people believe he can take many forms, but he is generally believed to have a hairy body, about the size of a young boy (less than three feet tall), and the face of an old man, with a hole in its head. Some descriptions mention that he only has one arm, one buttock, one leg and some believe he has an extraordinarily large ‘male appendage’, which is slung, over his shoulder. The Tokoloshi can also become invisible by swallowing a magical pebble he keeps in his mouth.
The Tokoloshi is a mischievous creature, with an evil spirit. The Tokoloshi is known to be friendly to children and be a nuisance to adults unless it is called upon by mean people to cause trouble to a certain person or tribe – it then can cause illness and even death on a victim. He is also known to rape women to spread HIV, and bite off sleeping people’s toes.
People who believe the Tokoloshi exists sometimes raise their beds, above the height of the creature, by using bricks or gallon oil drums so that he can’t hide under their bed to scare them, and also so that he cannot reach them while they are sleeping.
If the presence of a Tokoloshi is suspected, the only way to get rid of it is by asking the n’anga or sangoma (witch-doctor) to banish him; he/she is the only one able to do that. The witch-doctor does this by exorcizing the area with muti (traditional medicines).
Some people believe he can take many forms, but he is generally believed to have a hairy body, about the size of a young boy (less than three feet tall), and the face of an old man, with a hole in its head. Some descriptions mention that he only has one arm, one buttock, one leg and some believe he has an extraordinarily large ‘male appendage’, which is slung, over his shoulder. The Tokoloshi can also become invisible by swallowing a magical pebble he keeps in his mouth.
The Tokoloshi is a mischievous creature, with an evil spirit. The Tokoloshi is known to be friendly to children and be a nuisance to adults unless it is called upon by mean people to cause trouble to a certain person or tribe – it then can cause illness and even death on a victim. He is also known to rape women to spread HIV, and bite off sleeping people’s toes.
People who believe the Tokoloshi exists sometimes raise their beds, above the height of the creature, by using bricks or gallon oil drums so that he can’t hide under their bed to scare them, and also so that he cannot reach them while they are sleeping.
If the presence of a Tokoloshi is suspected, the only way to get rid of it is by asking the n’anga or sangoma (witch-doctor) to banish him; he/she is the only one able to do that. The witch-doctor does this by exorcizing the area with muti (traditional medicines).
