Zulu and Southern African mythologies: spirits and creatures
30 spirits documented in the Kunda Codex
From the hills of KwaZulu to the plateaus of Zimbabwe, the peoples of Southern Africa developed powerful cosmologies where ancestors, storm spirits and shadow creatures coexist. Zulu tradition tells of Unkulunkulu, the first man, but also of the Tokoloshe and Inkanyamba, the storm serpent. The entries below document their major figures with sources.
AirantagonistINKANYAMBA
The Storm Serpent / Ikanyamba
Spirit of the Waters
SpiritantagonistTOKOLOSHE
The Malevolent Dwarf / Tikoloshe
Guardian Spirit
SpiritallyUNKULUNKULU
Ancestor-creator
Creator Spirit
WaterallyNYAMI NYAMI
Waters, protection
Spirit of the Waters
SpiritallyMBABA MWANA WARESA
Fertility, rainbow, beer
Creator Spirit
SpiritallyHLAKANYANA
Trickster, childhood morality / Uhlakanyana
Ancestral Spirit
SpiritallyLESA
Supreme god, benevolence
Creator Spirit
WaterallyMAMLAMBO
Waters, wealth
Spirit of the Waters
WaterneutralABANTUBOMLAMBO
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritneutralABATAWA
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritneutralCHIPFALAMFULA
Monster
Monstrous Spirit
SpiritallyCHIUTA
God
Deity
EarthallyDITAOLANE
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritneutralEHLOSE
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritallyHUVEANE
God
Deity
SpiritneutralIDLOZI
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritneutralILOMBO
Monster
Monstrous Spirit
SoulneutralIMILOZI
Spirit
Spirit
EarthallyINKOSAZANA
Goddess
Goddess
SpiritneutralINTULO
Spirit
Spirit
SoulneutralITONGO
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritallyMADLEBE
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyMAULI
God
Deity
SpiritallyMINEPA
God
Deity
SpiritallyMKULUMNCANDE
God
Deity
SpiritallyPAMBA
God
Deity
SpiritallyPUKQILI
God
Deity
WaterallyTANGALIMLIBO
Hero
Hero Spirit
AirallyUKQILI
God
Deity
AirallyUMVELINQANGI
God
Deity
Frequently asked questions
What does amadlozi mean in English?
Amadlozi (singular idlozi) means the ancestral spirits of the Nguni peoples of southern Africa, the Zulu and Xhosa in particular. Intermediaries between the living and the divine, they protect their descendants, influence health and fortune, and are honoured with libations and sacrifices to preserve the family's harmony.
Who is Unkulunkulu?
Unkulunkulu is the primordial ancestor and creative figure of the Zulu religious traditions. His name means the very great, the most ancient. According to the narratives collected in the nineteenth century, he springs from a bed of reeds, the uhlanga, then brings forth humans, cattle and the crafts.
What is the Tokoloshe?
The Tokoloshe is a malevolent creature of Zulu and Xhosa beliefs, described as a dwarfish, hairy being bound to water and able to make itself invisible. Sent by a sorcerer to do harm, it is blamed for illness and misfortune.