Toula (Gorou Gondi)
Toula (or Toulé) is a water spirit called Gorou Gondi (pond snake) from Songhay-Zarma mythology of Niger. This spirit takes the form of a water snake inhabiting ponds and tributaries of the Niger River. In traditional belief, Toula is a genie who links the human world to the spirit world. She is associated with the Do and Karou magicians responsible for the cult of water spirits. The Toula legend has been popularized through Boubou Hama's Tales and Legends of Niger and adapted into film and ballet by Anna Schoering and Moustapha Alhassane, where Toula becomes a tragic teenage heroine sacrifice