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Tokoloshe

South Africans raise their beds on bricks to escape the Tokoloshe—a malevolent dwarf creature that attacks at night. It can be sent by witches to harm enemies. Millions believe. Strange attacks continue.

Ancient - Present
South Africa
100000+ witnesses

The Tokoloshe is a creature from Zulu and Xhosa mythology—a small, malevolent being that attacks people at night. Belief in the Tokoloshe remains widespread in South Africa today.

The Creature

According to documented folklore:

The Tokoloshe is described as:

  • A small humanoid creature (dwarf-like)
  • Only about knee-height
  • Can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone
  • Has supernatural strength
  • Created by witches or witch doctors
  • Can be sent to harm specific targets

Why Beds Are Raised

Throughout South Africa:

  • People raise their beds on bricks
  • This puts the sleeping surface too high for the Tokoloshe
  • The creature is short and cannot climb
  • The practice is widespread, even in modern times

Creation

A Tokoloshe is created:

  • By a witch or sangoma (traditional healer)
  • From a corpse
  • Through dark rituals
  • It serves its creator’s will

Attacks

The Tokoloshe attacks by:

  • Coming at night while people sleep
  • Strangling or suffocating victims
  • Causing illness
  • Sexual assault (in some accounts)
  • Terrorizing households

Modern Belief

Belief remains strong:

  • Surveys show millions believe
  • News reports cover alleged attacks
  • Courts have heard Tokoloshe-related cases
  • The practice of raised beds is still common

Cultural Context

The Tokoloshe represents:

  • Fear of witchcraft
  • Malevolent spiritual forces
  • The power of traditional beliefs
  • Community anxieties about unseen threats

Psychological Perspective

Western observers suggest:

  • Sleep paralysis experiences
  • Cultural interpretation of nightmares
  • Mass psychogenic illness
  • The power of belief

Criminal Cases

The Tokoloshe appears in South African courts:

  • As defense for violent acts (“the Tokoloshe made me do it”)
  • As motivation for murders of suspected witches
  • As explanation for unexplained deaths
  • The legal system must navigate traditional beliefs

Protection

Methods to ward off Tokoloshe:

  • Raised beds (most common)
  • Salt around the bed
  • Traditional medicines
  • Consulting a sangoma
  • Religious rituals

Similar Creatures

Related beings in African folklore:

  • The Tikoloshe (variant spelling)
  • The Popobawa (East Africa)
  • Various nightmare demons worldwide

Modern Context

In contemporary South Africa:

  • The belief crosses economic and educational lines
  • Even some educated professionals take precautions
  • The creature appears in media and advertising
  • It remains a living part of culture

Sources

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