As far as continents go, Africa is quite large. Though there are dozens of nations located across the sprawling landscape, there are still a number of mysteries about the cultures that call Africa home. While history tends to focus on the mythologies of Greece and Egypt and the Norse, little is discussed about the heroes, beasts, and epic stories from Africa. Still, there are plenty of stories that have been passed down over the generations and comprise a general body of folklore for the different regions. Though unique in many ways, these tales share many commonalities with other ancient tales. In particular, the folklore of Central Africa is packed with fantastic beasts and creatures of unspeakable horror. Take a look at these mythological beasts of Africa and learn more about the rich history of this continent.
A Unicorn… But Not Quite
When it comes to mythological creatures, the unicorn is somewhere near the top of the list. The signature feature of this horse-like creature is usually the singular horn that protrudes from its forehead. Modern historians believe early “sightings” of the unicorn in northern settings were actually narwhal, aquatic mammals that have a gigantic tooth sticking from their heads that can resemble a horn. Despite this explanation, there are myths of the unicorn from Africa that take a slightly different approach to the beast.
According to the scattered Bantu people, the abada is a unicorn-like creature. Instead of a single horn, however, the abada has two horns that are crooked. While not a unicorn by definition, the abada shares some story elements with the creature. Legend states that the horn of an abada, much like a unicorn, contains magical properties. The horn was said to be useful in healing wounds and acting as an antidote to poisons. Though there is not much about the abada in official texts, the myth has persisted through central Sudan for generations.
The Biloko Love Human Flesh
Dwarves are another popular species found in stories and songs from the folklore of Europe. Though modern tales show the dwarves to be kind and helpful, there are similar creatures in African stories that do not exhibit the same traits. Known as Eloko, plural Biloko, these dwarf-like beings are said to live within the forests. Some believe the Biloko are the spirits of ancestors who hold a grudge against the living for one reason or another. Many legends state that encountering an Eloko is dangerous because it assumes you desire the treasures it hides in the forest.
The Biloko are said to eat human flesh, live inside trees, and wear leaves instead of clothing. Many will have a childlike look about them and usually wear small bells that possess enormous magical ability. Most stories centering on Biloko act as cautionary tales, especially for wives. A majority of the stories will have a wife follow her husband into the woods or fail to heed his warning to lock the doors of the house. The wife will encounter an Eloko and fall for its tricks, allowing the Eloko to consume the wife and her flesh.
A Dinosaur for Creationists
In the early 1900s, Europe and America were obsessed with dinosaurs. The discovery of bones from new species caused explorers to search the world for other prehistoric treasures. In Africa, tales of the Mokele-mbembe, an apatosaurus-like aquatic animal, caused a rush to find the world’s living dinosaurs. Though never found, the Mokele-mbembe was unfortunately used by creationists as a pseudoscience, suggesting the dinosaurs only lived a few thousand years ago instead of millions.
Though stories of the Mokele-mbembe and the Biloko might not be as widespread as those of the hydra or Pegasus, there are countless tales of mythological beasts of Africa. Dive into history and learn more about these fantastic creatures of legend.