Tradition: Zambian Mythology
Alternative Names: Chipekwe
Category: River dweller
The Myth
The Chipekwe is a massive and terrifying creature said to inhabit Lake Bangweulu and the surrounding waters in Zambia. It is described as a reptilian, elephant-sized beast with a smooth, hairless, dark body and a single horn that is white and polished like ivory. Its enormous size and unusual appearance make it a feared presence in the lake, where sightings are rare and encounters are often known only through strange tracks or the sound of a huge animal splashing through the water.
The Chipekwe is fiercely territorial and attacks humans who enter its domain. Canoes that venture too close may be smashed apart, leaving their occupants to be killed in the water. Even the powerful hippopotamus is no match for the creature. The Chipekwe is said to attack hippos by tearing open their throats, making it one of the most dangerous predators in the lake. Its single ivory-like horn and immense strength make it a formidable hunter of large animals.
At least one Chipekwe is said to have been killed in the Luapula River, where hunters brought it down using the large harpoons employed for hunting hippos. Some accounts suggest that tales of the Chipekwe may have originated from encounters with unusually formed elephants possessing a single tusk. Nevertheless, the creature remains a feared aquatic monster associated with the deep waters of Lake Bangweulu, where its presence is betrayed by strange tracks, violent splashing, and attacks on animals and people.
Sources
“Chipekwe.” A Book of Creatures. May 29, 2020. https://abookofcreatures.com/2020/05/29/chipekwe/