
Tokoloshe
Also known as: Tikoloshe, Hili
Millions of South Africans still raise their beds on bricks to stay out of reach of this invisible dwarf.
Ancient Zulu and Xhosa tradition
South Africa
2-3 feet tall
Malicious, serves a summoner
Folklore
The Lore
The Tokoloshe is a small, malicious water sprite from Zulu and Xhosa mythology in South Africa. Described as a hairy, dwarf-like humanoid, it is said to become invisible by swallowing a pebble. Summoned by a witch doctor to harm enemies, it attacks people in their sleep. The practice of raising beds on bricks to avoid the Tokoloshe remains common across South Africa, even in modern urban areas.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
Media Appearances
- Tokoloshe (2018 film)
Similar Real Animals
You might also like

Popobawa
HighZanzibar's most feared entity attacks at night and demands that victims tell others, or it returns.

Mamlambo
HighNine bodies pulled from a South African river in 1997 were all missing their faces and brains.

Adze
HighIn Togo, a vampire disguised as a glowing firefly slips through locked doors to feed on the sleeping.

Inkanyamba
HighWhen devastating storms hit KwaZulu-Natal, the Zulu say a giant winged serpent is rising from the falls.

Grootslang
HighSouth African legend says the gods made a creature so powerful they had to split it into elephants and snakes.

Sasabonsam
HighIn the forests of Ghana, something with iron teeth and bat wings sits in the treetops, legs dangling like bait.

Kappa
MediumJapan's mischievous water imp with a bowl of power on its head.

Strigoi
HighThe original Romanian undead predates Dracula by centuries and is still feared enough that corpses are occasionally exhumed and staked in rural villages.