It's been a while since I posted one of these. This is a creature straight out of Zulu legend. Thanks to Chris for suggesting I check out African mythology ;)
Inkanyamba
I is for Inkanyamba by Jayar-Jonnz
The inkanyamba is a monster specific to a single place: Howick Falls, South Africa. It appears only during the summer months, and causes rain storms, waterspouts, and tornadoes when it is angry. It is said to look like an eel with a flat horse head, and is carnivorous. It may have wings or fins.
There is speculation that the legend of the inkanyamba may be reality fused with myth, as eels are found naturally in Howick Falls. The summer appearance of the inkanyamba also suggest a migration pattern.
Aboriginal cave drawings depict the inkanyamba as a 'rain animal' associated with the summer storms.
Further Reading:
Related Creatures: sea serpent, lake cryptid
Region of Origin: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Howick Falls
Also, Wiswell gives us a glimpse of what the Inkanyamba does the rest of the year. It's dedicated to all you homesick eels out there.
...This is interesting, first the idea of a hyper-local mythic creature but also...
Migratory patterns... why aren't more mythic and fantasy creatures migratory? This makes me think.
You know, that's true *scratching head* what if elves were migratory, going from summer season to summer season... or dragons, or.. hrm! What if whole fantasy societies were migratory...
What a pretty cool myth. There's probably tons of unexplored material on that side of the ocean. Good idea to have explored it :)
It was hard picking one! Glad you enjoyed it ;)
If it only appears in the summer, I wonder where it goes for the rest of the year. You could do a really funny series on its journal as it migrates. "What I did on my fiendish vacation!"
That sounds like it would make a lovely Bathroom Dialogue ;)
Okay, I'll get on it this weekend!
Cool! Looking forward to it!
Growing up in Ventersdorp, we were told that that typical 'creature' inhabits the nearby Schoonspruit stream. There are people who claim to have seen it, apparently bearing a flashlight in its forehead. It is believed to drown people and suck out their brains. Being naturally curios, I do not buy this and am waiting eargerly for further info to arise
But you haven't seen it yourself? I've always run into stories where people know people who have seen such a thing, but have never met anyone who has themselves. Hmm!