The Grootslang (literally "Big Snake" or "Great Snake",[1] also known as "The Great Snake of the Orange River"[2] or "Ki-Man"[3] in local accounts) is a mythical serpentine dragon from South African folklore. Originally described as a huge serpent that is said to guard treasure, the serpent has evolved into an elephantine-serpent hybrid with cosmic relevance in popular culture
Description[]
According to local eye-witness accounts collected by Lawerence G. Green, the Grootslang is approximately 40 feet long in length and leaves a track that is 3 feet wide. The locals in the area additionally describe the Grootslang to have large diamonds in its eye sockets in placement of eyes and anyone who is near it feels a "strange and evil influence".[2] In modern times, the Grootslang has developed elephantine features in its depictions, its depictions in popular culture probably coming from Carol Rose describing it as "huge, like an elephant, with the tail of a serpent".[1]
Folklore[]
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The Grootslang as pictured by A Book of Creatures, showcasing how it was thought to look like according to local accounts
In folklore, the Grootslang is said to reside around the Orange River in Richterweld, South Africa in areas that are associated with places where diamonds are purported to be found. Among them include "The Wonder Hole" or "Bottomless Pit", a cavern that is home to a multitude of treasures and according to legend is connected to a sea that is forty miles away, with anyone who presses their ear to the edge of the cave reportedly hearing the sound of currents originating from the sea. Another alleged home is a swirling pool below the King George Cataract at the Augharabies Falls that is said to also be home to diamonds.[1] [2] According to a bushman tribe in the area, the Grootslang is older then the world itself and is a fierce protector of the treasures within it's home that it will guard for eternity.[4] Other natives call the Grootslang a spiritual entity that has the task of guarding its cavern from treasure hunters.[5]
The creature is feared by the local indigenous population, with reports saying it will come out of its home to take and feast on the local cattle in the area.[3] The Ritcherweld has been home to the death of many explorers seeking treasure purported to be found in the reigon, notably Englishman Peter Grayson who ventured alone into the area in search of treasure and never returned, the locals claiming he fell prey to the Grootslang. The only attested person to have gone into the Wonder Hole and lived was a prospector named Travis, legend saying he lost his flashlight while on the way out and had to get out through pitch black darkness while successfully evading the Grootslang by playing dead.[5]
Origin[]
Green believes the serpent can be traced to accounts from the locals of pythons, of which can be occasionally found dwelling in the Orange River. The supernatural properties of the Grootslang attested by local accounts Green dismisses as exaggerations that accumulated over time as the legend spread.[2]
In Popular Culture[]
- The Grootslang appears in Pathfinder. In the lore, it is portrayed as a species of cosmic relevance of which was accidently created by the creator gods and had to be separated into elephants and snakes due to being too powerful to contain by the deities.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grootslang A Book of Creatures
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lawernce G. Green (1948) Where Men Still Dream Standard Press Ltd pp.125-126
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fred C. Cornell (1920) The Glamour of Prospecting T.F. Unwin Ltd pp.142
- ↑ John E.M. White (1969) The Land God Made in Anger: Reflections on a Journey through Southwest Africa Rand McNally pp.300
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rendall Floyd (September 20, 1998) Disappearences feed Grootslang legend Augusta Chronicle
External Links[]
- Grootslang on Wikipedia
- Grootslang on Archives of Nethys