The Legend of Inkanyamba

For centuries locals in South Africa have told stories of a mysterious serpent, one that lurks behind waterfalls and other bodies of water. While modern day skeptics have time and time again dismissed this creature as mere folklore or possibly a giant eel, the Zulu tribe of South Africa insist this animal is very real. And while Zulu culture has many superstitious beliefs surrounding this strange animal, it raises the question are these beliefs simply stories that have been passed down through generations or is there actually a strange undiscovered snake species lurking in the region?  In this post, we will examine this creature, known as the Inkanyamba,  and examine the question is this cryptid real or simply mythological? 

To begin we must first describe The Inkanyamba as well as its habitat. The Inkanyamba is said to be a giant snakelike creature with a head similar to a horse. These cryptids are said to be about 20 feet long with a fin across its back. Locals say the Inkanyamba lives in aquatic environments, and it often hides behind waterfalls. 

Most notably, the creature is said to hide behind Howick Falls in South Africa. The animal is said to be rarely seen in the summer months and lnkanyamba have been referred to as rain animals due to their appearance during storms.

In 1996, The animal gained international attention when a newspaper put up a reward for anyone who could produce photographic evidence of the beast. two photographs were published, but both were both highly questionable and only reignited the debate whether the creature was real or not. Understandably, many said the photos were simply hoaxes. 

In May of that year a rumor began to spread that the South African government was planning on capturing the Inkanyamba . When the Local Zuru residents found out, they were furious as they believed that the government didn’t know what it was up against.

The Zulu people were worried that attempting to capture it might enrage the Inkanyamba and that their village might experience the fallout. It should be noted the government didn’t follow through with the plans. Some say this was due to the anger, others say they realized they weren’t equipped to catch the monster in its territory.  

While Howick falls is said to be the primary place this creature has been spotted it should be noted they are known for migrating and spending time living in different bodies of water, dams and behind other waterfalls. 

One Inkanyamba was seen in the Mkomazi river, which is around 44 miles South of Howick Falls. Also, they have been spotted around the Midmar Dam, a massive area which covers approximately 500 square miles. Smaller dams near farms in the Dargle area of the Midlands have had reports as well. 

Perhaps most interesting, there have been reports of Inkanyamba fighting for territory and also witnesses who say they have seen them mating. 

Sightings:

Although most eyewitness accounts and stories come from natives and secondhand stories, there have been several documented sightings. In 1995, Bob Teeney, a restaurant owner spotted the animal at the Howick Falls. Johannes Hlongwane, A caretaker, saw the beast twice in 1974 and 1981. 

Andhelezi Buthelezi, a Game ranger first saw the creature in 1962 and would go on to see it multiple times.

The Legend of Inkanyamba is far more complex than just a massive snake like creature though. The Zulu believe that Inkanyamba has supernatural abilities. According to Zulu culture,  Inkanyamba attracts a massive tornado during the summer months. 

The Xhosa tribe claims that this creature is said to take flight in the form of a giant tornado to find its mate. Seasonal tornadoes and high winds are alleged to be from the frustration of a male Inkanyamba in its inability to find a proper mate. 

Despite these superstitious beliefs, there is evidence this creature or beliefs around this creature has existed for quite some time. 

Stories of these animals date back centuries to aboriginal cave paintings found throughout the KwaZulu-Natal area in South Africa. This raises the question is this an actual snakelike animal, simply folklore or perhaps a combination of the two?

There are several theories on what Inkanyamba is.

The first states that there is an undiscovered snakelike creature lurking behind Howick Falls and other aquatic areas. It should be noted the size of this creature is not said to be massively big, as 20-foot snakes are found throughout the world. Also, the Zulu people seem absolutely convinced they do exist, but some raise the question that perhaps their culture and beliefs are blinding them. This might be leading them to mistake eels and other snakes for Inkanyambas. 

Perhaps one other strange thing about this cryptid is the head. It does seem strange that the head is similar to that of a horse. This combination of two animals seems very mythological in nature as we see other cultures do this as well. 

People who have investigated this cryptid tend to believe it’s some sort of giant eel. Some have suggested the Anguilla Mossambica or the Anguilla Marmorata , which can grow to a length of about 6-feet. 

To date, there is no hard evidence that Inkanyamba does actually exist.  That said it appears to be more mythological, however, if a new large snakelike species is found in that area, it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing.