"Tokoloshe" (water sprite) caught on video

This was all over the radio this morning - and was apparently on the news over the weekend...

In Zulu mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe or Hili (from the Xhosa word utyreeci ukujamaal) is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by swallowing a pebble. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others. At its least harmful a tokoloshe can be used to scare children, but its power extends to causing illness and even death upon the victim. The way to get rid of him is to call in the n’anga (witch doctor), who has the power to banish him from the area.
...
Wiki

The guy supposedly came home and found mud prints all over his house, a broken window, missing dog food and things out of place, so he started to take a video of it all with his cellphone. He then happened upon the "Tokoloshe" which made him run in the opposite direction.



The legend of the Tokoloshe is taken quite seriously by certain cultures in South Africa. I'm not sure how serious we should take this video as the eyewitness is a bit of a drama-queen, and because this is a video of a video, it's not very good quality... Still entertaining.


Edit: Member dna221277 revealed that the video is a viral video for "Tivvit.com" - post here.

Gem mate, I can't seem to find any news sources reporting on the story.

It certainly looks interesting, and I will keep an eye on this story.

Have to get to the bottom of this.

vvv

It certainly was interesting. It's unfortunate the "creature" can't be made out due to the glare in the recording. However, the gent certainly looks spooked and convinced something non-human was there.

that play icon looks familiar....that was recorded from a DSTV PVR decoder? haha

Anyways....its interesting footage, but that guy...jeeez.

reply to post by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep


I looked for additional sources to link to as well, but couldn't find any - but clearly it was on a TV news broadcast. There's no branding visible during the clip, but if I must make a wild guess, I'd say it's the community channel SowetoTV (Channel 150 DSTV).

reply to post by Gemwolf


I just had the Xhosa lady that clean the office look at the video, and listen to it, to get her opinion on it. Since it is big in their culture.

She said that it is most likely a small child. Sometimes if someone wants to scare someone else in the community, the Sangoma would get someone to dress up in something, like a reverse goat skin or something, and then go into this persons house. Because the believe in this is so strong, it usually scares them.

I will however try to look into it deeper.

vvv

Originally posted by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep
reply to post by Gemwolf

 

I just had the Xhosa lady that clean the office look at the video, and listen to it, to get her opinion on it. Since it is big in their culture.

She said that it is most likely a small child. Sometimes if someone wants to scare someone else in the community, the Sangoma would get someone to dress up in something, like a reverse goat skin or something, and then go into this persons house. Because the believe in this is so strong, it usually scares them.

I will however try to look into it deeper.

vvv

Sounds like a good way to get a child hurt.

Some people respond with fight, rather then flight.

reply to post by Gemwolf


It looked a little like a monkey to me. His wife certainly looked like she was about to lose it though.

Thanks for posting this. I needed a break from politics, this is just what the Doctor ordered...

Des

As I am a believer of the supernatural, I love stories like this. How can one not have empathy for this man, as he believes in what he saw. You can see the fear in his eyes.




S&F

Originally posted by sonnny1



As I am a believer of the supernatural, I love stories like this. How can one not have empathy for this man, as he believes in what he saw. You can see the fear in his eyes.

S&F

I understand how you feel. Even after all these years, I still can't let go of my childhood beliefs in Fairies, and other creatures of mythology. I still sneak a quick glance out of the corner of my eye when walking past the ferns in the woods. Still leave out a saucer of ripe fruit and honey for the *Little Ones*. You may call it superstition, I call it never growing old.

Des

Originally posted by Destinyone


I understand how you feel. Even after all these years, I still can't let go of my childhood beliefs in Fairies, and other creatures of mythology. I still sneak a quick glance out of the corner of my eye when walking past the ferns in the woods. Still leave out a saucer of ripe fruit and honey for the *Little Ones*. You may call it superstition, I call it never growing old.

Des

That is awesome, actually!

I know a lady, that does that also. She tells me that its not just "hummingbirds", she feeds. Shes 81 years old.


As for what I have seen, I always give the benefit of the doubt, when others say they have seen something.

reply to post by Gemwolf


Gem, was that you chuckling in the background? I was canning myself when I watched! That thing on his bed - was that not his wife/girlfriend?
Anyway, it's also possible he was the victim of burglary by a monkey - maybe a Vervet?
link

reply to post by deltaalphanovember


It has also been suggested that it could be a bushbaby. Thats an animal, just saying.

vvv

reply to post by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep


ah cute things - great pets if you don't mind their habit of peeing on their hands (to mark their territory). Perhaps too large for a bushbaby though. Also bushbabies usually eat insects and fruit.

I'm grasping at straws here, but maybe a little viral marketing in Cape Town, for the film "Blood Tokoloshe" which is being released?

Blood Tokoloshe Movie

This news piece was aired on Saturday 8th September (thanks to this link) meaning it's just intime for the movie which due to be released in October in Cape Town?

Just throwing it out there. I also believe the network is News24, an African news channel.

I havn't read all the comments yet but in my opinion this is a hoax, and a poor one at that. This guy looks almost too comfortable in front of the camera

Edit: Also very poor acting by his partner, she looks like she is holding in her laughter

reply to post by Mickles


On what do you base that conclusion?

vvv

Originally posted by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep
reply to post by Mickles

 

On what do you base that conclusion?

vvv

I have watched the video several times and my conclusion is that this guy is an actor. I have no expertise in acting but his mannerism and how he told this "story" lead me to believe this is fake.

reply to post by MartyrCollect


That's a very reasonable explanation.

Here's the trailer of Blood Tokoloshe:

Warning: NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS



I can see it being a viral thing.

Originally posted by Mickles
...

I have watched the video several times and my conclusion is that this guy is an actor. I have no expertise in acting but his mannerism and how he told this "story" lead me to believe this is fake.

I have to agree with you - not so much based on the video, but based on the interview they had with him (the guy in the video) on the radio this morning. Initially I thought it was a joke, because of his over-dramatic tone. I've looked for a Podcast of the interview, but couldn't find any.