South Africa is home to many enduring myths and legends. They have been passed down from ancestors to descendants for generations, providing endless entertainment or serving as cautionary tales.
Fascinating though they are, some of these myths can be considered quite frightening. From ghostly apparitions to fantastical, bloodthirsty beasts, it’s hard not to let our imaginations go into overdrive when we hear these stories.
If you’re ready, let’s dive into the wonderfully eerie world of South African folklore!
UNPACKING MYTHS: LET’S GET MYTHICAL
If you’re looking for a combination of captivating and creepy, then you can’t go wrong with these five myths:
1. TOKOLOSHE
The Tokoloshe is a creature that features prominently in Xhosa and Zulu mythologies. It’s described as a small, hairy and goblin-like creature that engages in mischief, especially at night.
Legends vary, but the Tokoloshe is said to be summoned by those bent on causing harm to others. Come nighttime, it enters the home of the victim, who in their sleep is subjected to theft, nightmares or even death at the hands of this little creature.
Elevating your bed is said to prevent the Tokoloshe from terrorising you; hence, some folks put a brick beneath each leg of their bed.
2. GROOTSLANG
Imagine a giant animal that bears the head of an elephant, the body of a snake, the greediness of a dragon and the cunning of a fox.
Enter the Grootslang, which means “big snake” in Afrikaans. According to legend, these creatures were created by unspecified deities, who realised too late how powerful and smart they were. The deities then split the Grootslangs into elephants and pythons.
However, one Grootslang escaped into the Richtersveld region; there, it supposedly dwells in a cave, jealously guarding its legendary treasure hoard. It also has the power to mesmerise its victims, making luring and feeding upon elephants – and unsuspecting humans – an easy task.
3. THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
The Cape of Good Hope is home to thousands of sunken ships. It is also the site of a famous ghost ship: the Flying Dutchman.
Legend has it that Captain Hendrick van der Decken and his crew set out from the Netherlands on the Flying Dutchman in the 17th century. Van der Decken vehemently swore that he would round the Cape of Good Hope, no matter the squalls.
Alas, his declaration led him, his crew and the ship to become cursed. As a result, the Flying Dutchman is doomed to sail the stormy waters of the Cape for eternity, never to reach port.
The myth goes that other ships that encounter the Flying Dutchman at the Cape and are hailed by her will meet a watery doom. To this day, thousands of sailors have reported having seen the phantom vessel – fortunately, they survived to tell the tale!
4. THE HOLE-IN-THE-WALL
If you’ve ever visited the Wild Coast Region in the Eastern Cape, then you will be familiar with the Hole-in-the-Wall at Coffee Bay.
As its name suggests, this landmark consists of a detached cliff with a prominent hole in its centre. The making of this hole is attributed to the erosive power of the thunderous waves, although Xhosa mythology offers a different explanation.
As the legend goes, a Xhosa maiden lived near a lagoon that was cut off from the sea by a cliff. She fell in love with a merman-like sea person, who reciprocated her feelings. However, their love was frowned upon by the maiden’s kin.
To help the couple, the other sea people used a large fish to fashion a hole out of the cliff, connecting the sea to the lagoon. Through this hole, the maiden escaped with her lover to the ocean, never to be seen or heard from again.
5. GA-GORIB
In San mythology, Ga-Gorib is a monstrous beast with a hide so strong that it repels rocks. It would lie at the edge of a deep pit, daring passersby to throw rocks at it. The rocks would ricochet off its hide, striking the passersby and leading them to fall into the pit.
Luckily, a man named Heitsi-eibib was smart enough to throw a rock at Ga-Gorib when its back was turned, striking it in the ear.
Some versions of the story end with Ga-Gorib falling to its death in the pit. Other versions have both Ga-Gorib and Heitsi-eibib falling into the pit after a brief tussle. Whichever story you hear, Heitsi-eibib always survives the ordeal.
THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM MYTHS
Although most of these myths can leave a long-lasting chill in our bones, they are still enthralling enough to enrich our imaginations while also teaching us how to navigate the world we live in.
What’s more, it’s an effective tool for helping us understand the various South African cultures that produced them and keep their traditions alive.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN MYTHS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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