Tikoloshe

spirit · South Africa · Southern Africa

In the traditional folklore, animist beliefs, and cultural narratives of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of Southern Africa, the Tikoloshe (or Tokoloshe) is a mischievous, diminutive water-sprite and spirit. According to traditional oral histories, the Tikoloshe can render itself completely invisible by swallowing a pebble or through magical means, appearing only to those it wishes to terrorize or trick. While sometimes summoned by traditional practitioners or individuals seeking to cause trouble for enemies, the Tikoloshe is famously reputed to plague sleeping households, pinching sleepers, causin

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