Tokoloshe

The Tokoloshe, also known as the Tikoloshe or Hili, is a malevolent, dwarf-like water spirit prominent in Nguni and Bantu mythology that is often described as a hairy, hip-high creature summoned by jealous individuals to terrorize their enemies. According to legend, these spirits are fashioned from the bodies of the deceased through a gruesome ritual where an evil witch doctor pierces the eye sockets and brain with a hot iron rod before shrinking the corpse with magical powders. These creatures are feared for their ability to become invisible by swallowing a stone and for their habit of causing illness, biting off toes, or even killing their victims in exchange for the soul of the summoner's loved one.

A fascinating historical root for this myth lies in the traditional rondavels of the Highveld, where people sleeping on floor mats often died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by indoor fires; because the heavy gas settled near the ground, those who slept on elevated surfaces survived, giving rise to the belief that the Tokoloshe could only attack those at floor level. Consequently, the most common traditional protection involves placing bricks beneath each leg of a bed to raise it beyond the spirit's reach, while spiritual intervention from sangomas, traditional healers, or certain pastors is required to fully banish the entity from a home.