Tradition: Madagascar Mythology
Alternative names: Làlimèna
Category: Cow
The Myth
The Làlomèna is a mysterious creature said to inhabit the waterways of Madagascar. It resembles an ox and possesses two extremely red horns.
It is described as one of the strongest animals of the waters, although little else is recorded about its appearance or abilities.
In Malagasy tradition, the remains of the extinct Madagascan hippopotamuses were sometimes identified as the bones of the Làlomèna, giving the creature a connection between a legendary aquatic beast and the mysterious remains discovered in the landscape.
Sources
Countess Sica. “Làlomèna.” A Book of Creatures. February 25, 2019. Accessed August 21, 2026. https://abookofcreatures.com/2019/02/25/lalomena/