Tradition: Mali Mythology, Senegal Mythology
Alternative Names: Guiamala, Gadda, Jaka
Category: Forest dweller
The Myth
The Guiamala is an enormous, camel-like beast said to inhabit the African kingdoms of Gadoua and Giaca, east of Bambuk. It stands taller than an elephant but is considerably less bulky, with exceptionally long legs that allow it to reach heights of more than twenty feet. Its long neck supports a camel-like head, while its back bears either a single dromedary-like hump or two humps. Despite its immense size, the Guiamala is capable of moving swiftly across the landscape.
The creature’s most striking feature is its seven straight, pointed horns, each approximately two feet long. These formidable horns serve as its primary means of defense. They are black and covered with tawny hair, ending in dark, sharply pointed tips. As the horns grow, the covering hair eventually falls away, leaving the exposed horn behind. The Guiamala also possesses cloven hooves resembling those of an ox, completing its unusual combination of camel-like and bovine features.
Despite its intimidating appearance, the Guiamala is docile and harmless. It is an undemanding herbivore that feeds on thorns and other poor-quality vegetation, requiring very little food to survive. This ability makes it well suited to arid environments where other large animals might struggle to find sufficient nourishment. Its strength, speed, gentle temperament, and modest dietary needs mean that it could serve as an excellent pack animal. Its flesh is also said to be tender and edible, making the Guiamala a potentially valuable creature to those who encounter it.
Sources
“Guiamala.” A Book of Creatures. February 11, 2019. https://abookofcreatures.com/2019/02/11/guiamala/