An Inkanyamba flying prior to a storm (artist unknown)
Kindly forgive the last few weekdays without a post–I was on a winter solstice vacation from the internet. To cut through the holiday treacle, let’s concentrate on one of my favorite subjects—giant snake monsters! More specifically, after this year of horrible storms, I am writing about the fearsome inkanyamba, a mythical serpent-like being from South Africa. Inkanyambas are said to dwell in the pools beneath waterfalls. They have the bodies of great serpents and horselike heads. Inkanyambas are associated with powerful seasonal storms—particularly tornadoes. Such powerful local cyclones were thought to be caused by male inkanyambas out looking for mates.
Inkanyamba linocut by Kate Rowland
The creatures are said to live in the Pietermaritzburg area of KwaZulu-Natal . The Inkanyamba is particularly associated with the 95 meter tall (310 feet) Howick Falls, South Africa. For a while the Inkanyambas of Howick Falls even had a bit of Loch Ness Monster style fame attracting tourists, photojournalists, and cryptozoologists (insomuch as that is a real thing). Lately though, the moster is fading back to the proper realm of myth and art.
Howick Falls, South Africa
ferrebeekeeper 
5 comments
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January 6, 2013 at 6:43 AM
lsmith977
Thank you for this example of a monster that lives in or near water. I am collecting examples to add to my theory that some of these may have derived , not from serpents, but from bees. It took a long time before I discovered how much bees are dependent on water especially in hot weather. They then congregate at wells and ponds and puddles and lakes take it back to the hive where it is evaporated by fanning bees to maintain an even temperature. There are many stories of dragons that live near wells or damp places in Europe and UK but this is the first I have heard of from Africa.
March 28, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Wayne
Thanks for the fascinating reply. I did not know how close the connection between bees and water was!
March 28, 2013 at 3:47 PM
lsmith977
See Google images – Bees drinking water
January 10, 2014 at 12:40 AM
nhlakanipho
as far as i knw abt inkanyamba no body can see it n u cnt draw it where im living in early 80’s a team of aspect try to get in into the waterfall puting a man in a glass to n drow it he drow it from the tail to upwards bt never make it to head he died the glss wasnt broken.it doesnt want to be seen many have try bt never make it back alive.there are many things happening here in hammarsdale
November 25, 2014 at 4:53 AM
Garth
Yes me 2 i can attest to that. cant we motivate for an exploration team that will feature maybe in a documentary like one of those discovery channel documentaries because this is fascinating stuff. makes you really challenge your logic. ancient dwellers even have rock paintings of this serpent with a head resembling a horse. I think many people have tried and some have caught glimpses of this but the government is working with the American Government to conceal evidence. like the finding of the mermaid which was examined by Animal Planet in Cape Town, all their lab equipments and documents were raided in Cape Town while they were busy analyzing the overwhelming evidence.