IKaggen

ǀKaggen, a central figure in San mythology of southern Africa, embodies the complex character of a creator deity and trickster hero. Known for his shapeshifting abilities, he most commonly appears as a praying mantis, though he can also transform into various creatures including the bull eland, louse, snake, and caterpillar.

In the rich tapestry of San mythology, ǀKaggen shares his life with his wife ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n, who takes the form of a Cape hyrax and holds the title "mother of bees." Together with their adopted daughter, who manifests as a porcupine, they form a unique divine family.

The most significant story in ǀKaggen's mythology revolves around the eland, his cherished creation. After ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n gave birth to this magnificent antelope, ǀKaggen carefully concealed it near a cliff to protect its growth. However, tragedy struck when his sons, Cogaz and Gewi, unknowingly killed this sacred animal while hunting. In his response to this act, ǀKaggen directed a series of magical transformations using the eland's blood. Through several attempts - first creating snakes, then hartebeests - ǀKaggen finally succeeded in creating vast herds of eland by mixing the original eland's blood with fat from its heart.

This origin story carries deeper meaning in San culture, explaining both the abundance of eland for hunting and their notably wild nature. The San believe the eland's skittishness stems from its premature death at the hands of ǀKaggen's sons, before it was properly ready for human hunters.