Dark Origins – Myths and legends of the Khoikhoi (previously Hottentots)
Posted: November 22, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized 38 Comments
Introduction
At the time when European settlement began, the Khoikhoi were settled in modern day Namibia, the north-eastern Cape and the south-western Cape. The name Khoikhoi means “real people” or “men of men”. The Khoikhoi are closely related to the San (Bushmen) and are sometimes referred to together as Khoisan. There is a theory that the Khoikho and the San were once the same race. The Khoikhoi broke away to raise cattle, build huts and lead a pastoral life while the San remained true to the wilderness and the elements.
The Khoikhoi were nomadic, moving around in search of grazing land for their animals which consisted mainly of goats, cattle and sheep. They also manufactured animal skins into clothing, bags and blankets and used reeds to make sleeping mats and mats to cover their round and mobile homes. The Khoikhoi also made pottery which could be tied to their oxen or to hut poles when they moved.
All the male children in Khoikhoi families are named after the material side and all the female children after the paternal side. The eldest daughter is highly respected and the milking of the cows is left entirely to her.
God and the afterlife
The Khoikhoi attach special significance to the moon and new and full moons were historically times for rainmaking rites and dancing.
The Khoikhoi deity is called Tsui-Goab and he is believed to be the founding ancestor of the Khoikhoi. He is the creator of the world, of man and of the elements. He provides for man and gives them full bellies and happy hearts. His opposite is Gaunab, who is primarily an evil being who causes sickness or death.
Tsui-Goab lives in a beautiful heaven of light and sunshine while Gaunab lives separately in a dark hiding place. Tsui-Goab, meaning the Read Dawn, bring the light and life to the world. The Khoikhoi always pray in the early morning with their faces turned towards the east where the first light of day appears.
Monsters
According to Khoikhoi legend, a man-eating monster called the Aigamuxa/Aigamuchab dwells among the dunes. The creature is mostly human-looking, except that it has eyes on the instep of its feet. In order to see, it has to go down on its hands and knees and lift its one foot in the air. This is a problem when the monster chases prey, because it can’t see when it runs. Some sources claim the creature resembles an ogre.
Another monster legend is Ga-gorib. This creature sits near a deep hole in the ground and dares passers-by to throw rocks at him. The monster’s intention is for the the rocks to bounce back and kill the passer-by, who will then fall into the hole. According to the myth, when the hero Heitsi-eibib encountered Ga-gorib, he declined the monster’s dare. When Ga-gorib was not looking, Heitsi-eibib threw a stone at the monster and hit it below its ear, causing it to fall into its own pit.
Hai-uri is an agile, jumping creature who is partially-invisible and has only one side to its body (one arm and one leg). It is known to eat humans.
Reading of The Night Walker, a Hottentot myth
I recorded an interesting story about the Hottentot myth, The Night Walker, which you can listen to here:
Here is a picture of a Night Walker with a kerrie taken from the book Myths and Legends of Southern Africa by Penny Millar:
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has short stories and poems in several anthologies and has 2 published novels, Through the Nethergate, a historical supernatural fantasy, and A Ghost and His Gold, a historical paranormal novel set in South Africa.
Roberta has 11 children’s books published under the name Robbie Cheadle.
Roberta was educated at the University of South Africa where she achieved a Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1996 and a Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1997. She was admitted as a member of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2000.
Roberta has worked in corporate finance from 2001 until the present date and has written 7 publications relating to investing in Africa. She has won several awards over her 20-year career in the category of Transactional Support Services.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertaEaton17
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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This is fascinating. Wonderful reading of the story, Robbie! 💕🙂
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HI Harmony, I though the idea of the Night Walkers was very interesting. It seems that the undead is a very common fear among peoples of this world.
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I am researching primitive tribes (I use the word denotatively, not connotatively) which the Khoikhoi and the San would certainly qualify. But, my next group of people will be hunter-gatherers, not herders, though you have me wondering…
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That would be the San people then (hunter gatherers). We are planning a trip to Namibia next year which is the home of many of the world’s remaining San. We will be visiting their museum and cultural village. I also visited the San cultural museum in South Africa in January and bought a book of San myths and stories. If I can help you with anything, do shout.
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When I get further into the research, I may take you up on that. There’s a cave complex called Pinnacle Point on the coast of Southern Africa that paleoanthros think early Homo sapiens escaped to when soot and debris from the Toba eruption covered the planet (about 75,000 years ago). I’ll be digging into that to see how exactly they survived.
It’s amazing how so much of my research ends up in your neck of the woods.
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Yes, and the University of the Witwatersrand is very strong in this area of research.
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Reblogged this on and commented:
My November Dark Origins post features the Khoikhoi (previously Hottentots) who, together with the San (previously Bushmen) are the first people of South Africa. I have also shared a traditional Khoikhoi myth called The Night Walkers. Thanks for hosting Kaye Lynne Booth.
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☺️
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Fascinating Robbie. Still to listen to your video –
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Hi Susan, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. That story was really interesting 💖
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The depiction of the Night Walker looks like what we’d call a Rake in the States. Off to watch the video!
(Eyes on the insteps of its feet! Whoa!)
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Hi Priscilla, that is interesting, I shall have to look up a Rake. I thought the similarities to vampire mythology was interesting.
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Fascinating stuff, Robbie — including the story you skillfully read. Myths are so interesting, including their similarities and differences across cultures.
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Hi Dave, I’m pleased you enjoyed learning a bit about the Khoikhoi. I find the peoples of Southern Africa really interesting. My work colleagues, many of whom come from the different ethnic cultures, are surprised that I know so much more than the do about their history and traditions.
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Yikes! Those Night Walkers are truly monstrous. I enjoyed learning about them.
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I’m delighted to know that 💓
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Funny to think the main thing I got from this was that “Hottentot”s are real! I thought it was an expression.
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Oh, yes, Hottentots are very real. They have a sad history of abuse and destruction.
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I’m sorry.
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Scarey ! Interesting to learn myths
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Hi Bella, they are interesting to read 💞
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having eyes on the instep seems a bit odd and the picture shows the eyes were they normally are?
Humans create these monsters to focus their fears. The local Natives have one called “Bookmiss”. Most likely akin to Sasquatch I imagine.
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Hi Wayne, the picture is of a Night Walker, a different monster from the one with the eyes. These tales are so interesting. It is true our monsters reflect our fears. I’ll have to look up Bookmiss, I’ve not heard of it before 💚
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that spelling os phonetic Robbie.
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It is always a great learning experience to read your myth posts. This one is no exception to the rule. 🙂
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I’m pleased you enjoy these posts, Annette 💓
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The myths of Africa are unkown to me. But, today I learned a little. Thanks for the great post.
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Hi Bernadette, I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. I’m baking for your Christmas series on Saturday. Michael is well enough to participate now ❤️
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I am so happy to hear Michael is feeling better and I look forward to your contribution.
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It’s interesting to find so many common threads between different cultures. Thanks for telling us more about these people’s. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, I find the commonality interesting too. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I enjoyed your reading, Robbie, as well as learning about the monsters and myths of the Khoikhoi. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to Kaye Lynne for hosting. 🙂 ❤
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🙂
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Hi Diana, I’m glad you enjoyed that myth. I was surprised by its being so similar to the idea of vampires.
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Absolutely. It’s interesting how certain monsters seem to take hold in multiple cultures.
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I just listened to your reading of The Nightwalker myth. It’s absolutely terrifying!!
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I know, I was thinking it would make a good horror story …
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It would!
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