Mythology!

Dorlis

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Tradition / Region: Senegal Mythology, Burkino Faso Mythology
Also Known As: Dowlis, Stick Man, Night Husband
Category: Succubus

The Myth

The Dorlis is a feared spirit from West African folklore, especially associated with traditions in Senegal and Burkina Faso. It is described as a malevolent supernatural being that visits people at night while they sleep.

By day, the Dorlis appears as an ordinary human, blending into society unnoticed. At night, however, it is believed to become invisible or transform into an animal in order to secretly enter homes. Because of its nocturnal behavior, it is sometimes called the “night husband.”

Legends portray the Dorlis as a dangerous spirit associated with nighttime visitations, sleep, and supernatural assaults during the night. People believed it could slip through tiny openings and silently approach sleeping victims.

Traditional methods said to repel the Dorlis include wearing red or black underwear inside out and placing a pair of scissors beneath the bed before sleeping.

Sources

Blake’s. (2015, July 27). Mythes, légendes et croyances traditionnelles des Antilles-Guyane. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://blakes.fr/mythes-legendes-et-croyances-traditionnelles-des-antilles-guyane/

Crowing Crested Cobra

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Tradition / Region: Botswana Mythology, Malawi Mythology, South African Mythology, Kenyan Mythology, Mozambique Mythology
Also Known As: Njoka Tambala, Bubu, Hongo, Indlondlo, Inkhomi, Kovoko, Limba, Nguluka, Ngoshe, Noga-putsane, Songo, Songwe
Category: Snake

The Myth

The Crowing Crested Cobra is a legendary serpent found throughout East African folklore. It is usually described as a huge venomous snake resembling a cobra but distinguished by a fleshy crest on its head, sometimes accompanied by rooster-like wattles. Unlike ordinary snakes, it is said to make strange animal sounds, especially crowing like a rooster, though some traditions describe bell-like cries, clucking noises, or even goat-like bleating.

Stories portray the creature as extremely dangerous. It hides in trees, near paths, or in tall grass, striking travelers without warning. Some legends describe it attacking several people in succession before retreating into holes or dense vegetation. The serpent is often said to move with unnatural speed and to climb trees with ease.

In parts of Mozambique, the creature was known as the Bubu, a massive dark snake marked with red growths resembling a rooster’s comb. Other traditions describe male snakes crowing loudly while females cluck softly. Some accounts claim the creature kills indiscriminately and is associated with sorcery, witchcraft, and powerful magical medicines.

Across East Africa, related serpent legends appear under many names. Some versions possess feather-like crests, others have birdlike traits, and certain stories even describe snake creatures whose cries lure victims toward them at night.

The creature became one of the most widespread serpent legends in African folklore, blending features of deadly snakes, birds, and supernatural omens into a single feared being.

Sources

A Book of Creatures. (2021, June 25). Crowing crested cobra. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://abookofcreatures.com/2021/06/25/crowing-crested-cobra/

Ocheretyanyk

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Tradition / Region: Ukrainian Mythology
Also Known As: Reed Devil, Spirit of the Reeds
Category: Demon, Swamp Dweller

The Myth

The Ocheretyanyk is a mysterious spirit from Slavic folklore associated with reeds, marshes, and wetlands. Its name comes from the Ukrainian word ocheret, meaning “reed,” and the creature was believed to dwell deep within thick reed beds near rivers and swamps.

Very little is known about the Ocheretyanyk compared to other Slavic spirits. Folklore usually describes it as a devil-like being tied to a specific place rather than a wandering demon. It was feared as a strange supernatural presence capable of terrifying travelers who passed too close to the reeds at night.

One surviving legend tells of a man riding near a marsh who encountered a strange white ram with claws, screaming unnaturally beside the reeds. Believing it to be an ordinary animal, the man lifted it onto his cart. Immediately the horses became unable to move under its weight. When he tried to throw the creature off, it would not leave the cart no matter how hard he struggled.

Only when the roosters crowed at dawn did the creature finally leap away on its own. Laughing mockingly, it disappeared back into the reeds.

Stories about the Ocheretyanyk often resemble broader Slavic tales about supernatural fear spirits—unknown beings that appear suddenly in strange forms such as animals, objects, or distorted humans in order to frighten people wandering near dangerous places at night.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Ocheretjanyk. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/ocheretjanyk/

Aziza

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Tradition / Region: Benin Mythology
Also Known As: Azisa
Category: Gnome

The Myth

The Aziza are a supernatural race from West African folklore, especially associated with the traditions of Dahomey. They are usually described as small forest-dwelling beings who live deep within the wilderness, particularly inside anthills and silk-cotton trees.

Unlike many dangerous spirits of folklore, the Aziza are generally considered benevolent beings. Hunters who encounter them may receive magical protection, spiritual guidance, or secret knowledge. Legends claim that the Aziza taught humans important skills and sacred wisdom, including the use of fire and practical knowledge needed for survival.

Most traditions describe the Aziza simply as little people connected to the forest and hidden magic. Some oral traditions, however, speak of a singular being named Aziza, described as a small one-legged figure who smokes a pipe and possesses supernatural powers.

Certain later accounts portray the Aziza with wings, resembling fairy-like beings, though many traditions do not include this feature. Because these winged descriptions were recorded after European contact during the Atlantic slave trade era, some scholars question whether European folklore may have influenced these later depictions.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Aziza (mythology). In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aziza_(mythology)

Ayida-Weddo

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Tradition / Region: Benin Mythology
Also Known As: Ayida Wedo, Ayida-Wedo
Category: Snake

The Myth

Ayida-Weddo is a great rainbow serpent in Fon mythology, believed to have existed before the creation of the Earth. The serpent served the creator deity Mawu-Lisa and helped shape the world at the beginning of time.

According to the myths, Ayida-Weddo carried Mawu-Lisa in its mouth while the goddess formed the Earth. As the serpent moved across the world, its immense body created rivers, valleys, canyons, and mountains. The serpent possessed two natures: a red male half and a blue female half.

The female aspect of Ayida-Weddo was associated with rainbows, storms, clouds, rivers, springs, and rain. The male aspect coiled beneath the Earth itself, supporting the weight of the world and preventing it from collapsing into the abyss below. Legends say that when the serpent shifts beneath the Earth from exhaustion, earthquakes occur.

Some traditions claim the serpent feeds on iron to maintain its strength. One prophecy warns that if Ayida-Weddo ever consumes all the iron in the world, it will begin devouring its own tail, causing the Earth to sink into chaos and destruction.

In other stories, Ayida-Weddo descends from the heavens together with the first humans created by Mawu-Lisa. The serpent is strongly connected with life, fertility, rain, blood, and creation, and is often portrayed as a cosmic being linking the heavens, the Earth, and the waters beneath the world.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Ayida-Weddo. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayida-Weddo

Aruan of Udo

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Tradition / Region: Benin Mythology
Also Known As: Arhuanran, Aruanran
Category: Giant, Hero

The Myth

Aruan of Udo is a legendary prince from the ancient Kingdom of Benin, remembered in oral tradition as a giant of enormous strength and size. According to the stories, he was so powerful that he could sweep the entire city of Benin using palm trees.

Born in the 16th century to Oba Ozolua and Queen Ohonmi, the prince was originally named Idubor. Tradition says that he and his younger brother were born on the same day. Although Idubor was born first, he did not cry at birth. His younger brother Osawe, born later to Queen Idia, cried immediately after being born. Because of this, Osawe was considered the rightful heir and later became the famous Oba Esigie.

Having lost the throne despite being the elder brother, Idubor was compensated by his father and granted rule over the town of Udo near Benin City. From that point onward he became known as Aruan of Udo.

Benin oral traditions remember Aruan as a gigantic and powerful figure connected to strength, nobility, and the royal history of the Benin Kingdom.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Aruan of Udo. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruan_of_Udo

Ma-Kishi

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Tradition / Region: Angolan Mythology
Alternative Name: Makishi, Ma-kishi
Category: Forest dweller

The Myth

The Ma-Kishi are supernatural beings from Angolan folklore, often associated with the spirit world, forests, and dangerous encounters with humans. In many tales, they appear as mysterious spirit-like people who live apart from ordinary society and interact with humans through deception, hunting, or abduction.

In one story, several girls escaped from the Ma-Kishi and climbed to the top of a tree to hide from them. The Ma-Kishi followed their tracks and surrounded the tree, preparing to cut it down with their hatchets so the girls would fall into their hands. As the tree began to collapse, the girls begged a great Hawk flying overhead to save them. The Hawk carried the girls across the river one by one, rescuing them from the spirits before the tree finally fell.

Other tales portray the Ma-Kishi as beings who lure or capture humans. One legend tells of a spirit called Di-kishi who encountered a young girl named Samba while she was alone near the fields. The spirit brought her into the world of the Ma-Kishi, where the other beings wished to eat her, though Di-kishi instead wanted to marry her. Later, Samba escaped with her children while the Ma-Kishi pursued her across the land.

The Ma-Kishi are frequently portrayed as powerful and dangerous beings connected to wilderness, isolation, and the unseen world. In Angolan folklore they appear as enemies, kidnappers, hunters, or supernatural tribes living beyond ordinary human society.

Sources

Chatelain, H. (1894). Folk-tales of Angola; fifty tales with Kimbundu text, liberal English translation, introduction, and notes. Boston: American Folk-lore Society.



Kituta

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Tradition / Region: Angolan Mythology
Also Known As: Kituta Spirit
Category: Ghost

The Myth

In Angolan folklore, Kituta is a supernatural spirit associated with transformation and the spirit world. One story tells of Ngunza Kilundu kia Ngunza, who was pursued by another man named Kalunga-ngombe.

As Ngunza fled eastward, Kalunga-ngombe chased after him carrying a hatchet. Ngunza denied having committed any crime and asked why he was being hunted. Kalunga-ngombe replied that he was simply pursuing him toward the east.

During the chase, Kalunga-ngombe threw his hatchet at Ngunza Kilundu kia Ngunza. According to the legend, this event caused Ngunza Kilundu kia Ngunza to become a Kituta spirit.

Sources

Chatelain, H. (1894). Folk-tales of Angola; fifty tales with Kimbundu text, liberal English translation, introduction, and notes. Boston: American Folk-lore Society.

Kianda

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Tradition / Region: Angolan Mythology
Also Known As: Quianda
Category: Mermaid, Spirit

The Myth

Kianda is a powerful water spirit from Angolan folklore, associated with rivers, lagoons, and the underwater world. In many stories, Kianda appears as a supernatural being connected to hidden wealth, mysterious underwater cities, and dangerous encounters with humans.

One Angolan tale tells of a woman with two daughters who encountered a strange skull-like being that wished to marry one of the girls. The mother refused to give either daughter away. The younger daughter then secretly took ashes and covered the skull’s holes with them before throwing it into a lagoon.

The next morning, the waters had transformed, and the being beneath the surface had become Kianda. The spirit returned and demanded the younger daughter as his bride. He dragged her beneath the water into his underwater realm, where she was dressed in fine ornaments and necklaces. Whenever she returned from beneath the waters, she brought wealth, cloth, wine, and valuable goods back with her.

The woman eventually married Kianda and lived between the human world and the spirit world beneath the water. In the story, Kianda is portrayed as both dangerous and supernatural, yet also capable of granting riches and prosperity to those connected to him.

Sources

Chatelain, H. (1894). Folk-tales of Angola; fifty tales with Kimbundu text, liberal English translation, introduction, and notes. Boston: American Folk-lore Society.

Subterranean Algerian Dwarf

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Tradition / Region: Algerian Mythology
Alternative Name: —
Category: Dwarf

The Myth

In Kabyle mythology, beneath the world of humans exists another hidden world beneath the earth. This underground realm is described as a dark and inverted version of the human world — a shadowy place where sterility reigns and where everything exists in opposition to normal life.

The subterranean world is inhabited by many strange beings, including spirits, giants, ogres, ogresses, and swarms of mysterious dwarves sometimes compared to ants because of their numbers and constant movement. Though the landscapes beneath the earth resemble mountains, forests, ravines, and pastures found in the human world, everything there is reversed or corrupted. Sheep are black, goats produce black milk, and productive human activities become twisted parodies.

Legends say that the first humans originally emerged from this underground world before coming to the surface and establishing the fertile world of humankind. Openings such as wells, caves, hidden doors, or iron slabs sometimes allow passage between the two realms. Heroes, serpents, spirits, and even the dead can travel between them.

The underground beings are especially feared at night, when the boundary between worlds weakens and creatures from below wander into human lands. Only the brave or the spiritually protected are believed capable of resisting the dangerous forces that emerge after dark.

One Kabyle myth explains the cycle of day and night through two brothers in the underworld who endlessly unwind two balls of yarn: one made of white thread that brings daylight, and one made of black thread that brings night.

Sources

Tadukli.free.fr. (2006, July 22). Éléments de mythologie kabyle. Retrieved May 10, 2026, from https://tadukli.free.fr/pages/culture/histoire_01_elements_de_mythologie_kabyle.htm