How Do You Spell TOKOLOSHE?

Pronunciation: [tˌɒkəlˈə͡ʊʃ] (IPA)

The word "tokoloshe" is a term from Southern African mythology that refers to a malevolent spirit or dwarf that is said to cause mischief and harm. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet as /təˈkɒləʃi/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "k" and "sh" sounds are represented by their respective letters, while the "o" is pronounced as a schwa sound. The "e" at the end is silent, while the "i" makes an "ee" sound.

TOKOLOSHE Meaning and Definition

1. Tokoloshe is a noun that refers to a mythical creature often mentioned in African folklore, particularly among the Zulu and Xhosa cultures. This term is primarily used in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The tokoloshe is believed to be a small, supernatural being with the ability to shape-shift and cause mischief or harm to individuals. It is typically described as a humanoid creature, depicted as either a hairy dwarf or a gremlin-like figure, usually standing around three feet tall.

   According to popular belief, the tokoloshe is associated with witchcraft and is summoned by evildoers to carry out their bidding. It is widely considered to have malevolent intent, often blamed for various misfortunes such as illness, accidents, nightmares, and mysterious occurrences. Legend has it that the tokoloshe can become invisible by drinking water or carrying an animal skin, allowing it to move about undetected and carry out its mischief unnoticed.

   Various rituals and practices have been developed by local communities to protect themselves against the tokoloshe, such as wearing charms, using herbs, or placing objects like bricks under the legs of their beds to fend off potential attacks. While the belief in the tokoloshe is deeply rooted in African culture, its existence is treated with skepticism in modern times, often seen as a superstitious belief rather than an actual creature. Nonetheless, the tokoloshe remains a prominent figure in African folklore, captivating the imaginations of many.

Common Misspellings for TOKOLOSHE

• rokoloshe
• fokoloshe
• gokoloshe
• yokoloshe
• 6okoloshe
• 5okoloshe
• tlkoloshe
• tpkoloshe
• t0koloshe
• tojoloshe
• tomoloshe
• tololoshe
• toooloshe
• toioloshe
• tokiloshe
• tokkloshe
• toklloshe
• tokploshe
• tok0loshe
• tok9loshe

Etymology of TOKOLOSHE

The word "tokoloshe" originates from Zulu, a Bantu language predominantly spoken in South Africa. It is derived from the Zulu word "uthikoloshe", which is the diminutive form of "umthikoloshe". The term "umthikoloshe" is composed of two components: "um-" which is the singular noun prefix, and "thikoloshe", meaning "evil-spirit" or "goblin". Over time, the pronunciation evolved, and the term "tokoloshe" became widely used in English to describe a mythical creature or spirit in Southern African folklore.

Plural form of TOKOLOSHE is TOKOLOSHES