Tradition: Zulu Mythology, South-African Mythology
Alternative Names: Abatwa; Umtuwa
Category: Dwarf
The Myth
The Abatwa are a mysterious people of dwarfs who wander through the tall grass and sleep inside anthills. They live in the wilderness, far from villages, and are said to move together as a tiny wandering community. Because they are so small, they can hide among the grass and travel without being noticed.
The Abatwa are hunters and gatherers who live from whatever they can find. They hunt game, eat plants, and are known to consume almost anything available to them. When food becomes scarce, they continue wandering until they find another place where they can survive.
A person who unexpectedly encounters an Abatwa must be careful. The little people are said to be extremely sensitive about their size. If someone meets an Abatwa and asks, “Where did you see me?”, the creature may become suspicious and demand to know whether the person is making fun of him. Even a seemingly harmless question can therefore turn dangerous.
One story tells of a man who encountered an Abatwa while traveling. The tiny being asked whether the man had seen him. The man replied that he had, explaining that he had seen him while standing on a mountain. The Abatwa was delighted that the man had not mocked his small stature and became his friend. When the man encountered him again, he greeted him warmly and said that he had seen him on a mountain while he himself was far away. The Abatwa rejoiced, declaring that he had finally met someone who could see him from such a distance.
The Abatwa can also become dangerous when they are hunting. According to another tradition, when game becomes scarce, the little people may attack a horse, mounting it one behind another and riding away on its back. If they cannot find any animals to hunt, they may eat the horse instead.
Their greatest strength is not physical size but their ability to remain hidden. The Abatwa are said to be almost invisible while moving through the tall grass. A person may walk toward one without realizing that a tiny hunter is standing nearby. Suddenly, the Abatwa can appear and shoot a poisoned arrow. Their arrows are so deadly that even a small wound can prove fatal.
Because of this, encountering an Abatwa is considered extremely dangerous despite their tiny stature. Their small size allows them to disappear into the grass, approach unnoticed, and strike before their victim realizes that anyone is there.
The Abatwa are also associated with other traditions of small forest-dwelling peoples in southern Africa. They are described as living in groups, wandering through the wilderness, and sometimes settling among ordinary people. Those who leave the forest and become farmers are still regarded with suspicion, since their supernatural reputation remains attached to them.
Sources
“Abatva.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/abatva