Variations: Crab-monster
The Nkala is one of several sorcerous familiars associated with witchcraft in Zambia. A nkala kills people by eating their shadows. Anyone in possession of a nkala, therefore, has obtained it for criminal purposes.
It takes the form of a crab, 4 feet long, almost as wide as it is long. It has a head at either end, each head resembling that of a hippo, complete with the lumps by the eyes. Sometimes those are described as “nose-like projections”. It eats shadows with both heads at the same time.
To kill a nkala, medicine is prepared from nkala remains and placed in a duiker horn sealed with wax. A second duiker horn is partially filled and used as a whistle to attract the nkala. Once the creature shows itself in response to the whistle, it is shot. The “noses”, large claws, and some of the other claws are taken for use in medicine.
References
Melland, F. H. (1923) In Witch-bound Africa. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Turner, V. (1975) Revelation and Divination in Ndembu Ritual. Cornell University Press, Ithaca.
White, C. M. N. (1948) Witchcraft, Divination and Magic among the Balovale Tribes. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, 18(2), pp. 81-104.
A Book of Creatures 
There’s quite a lot of Familiars in African mythology I’ve noticed. Also have you ever hear of the winged crocodile dragon? I don’t remember its exact name but I’m sure it was of African origin
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Aren’t all dragons winged crocodiles anyway?
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You got me there
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I would say that it’s not that there are more familiars in Africa than in other places but rather the author of this site is just using a lot of material from studies on African shamanic practices for inspiration. “Spirit allies” exist where ever there are magic users
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They’re all from the same set of references, I just find them and do them as a batch.
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This reminds me of the Garthim from The Dark Crystal
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Never heard of him!
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“Anyone in possession of a nkala, therefore, has obtained it for criminal purposes.”
That’s pretty harsh! What if a fella just wants a cute hippo-crab?
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It’s like having a machine gun, it exists only to kill so if you have one you clearly are planning to kill someone
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I suspect that it would probably be dangerous to have a nkala just for fun. They probably would get bored and agitated from the lack of activity and start feeding on their owner which would lead to a ton of psychic and spiritual maladies
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So not to sound intrusive, but where would one acquire a Nkala?
*I am not a sorcerer.
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Presumably you’d ask a sorcerer. Process probably like that of the ilomba.
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I’m concerned for this creatures health. Are shadows a protein?
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Pure soul stuff, I’d say.
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Empty calories.
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Have you considered adding a “Familiar” category to group these sorts of creatures together?
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I probably should, good point!
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I was a drab little crab once
– find of mine
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Hello, just found this site today and wanted to express my love for it. Incredibly interesting stuff, great illustrations, and I’m overjoyed to see that it is being updated regularly! I’ve been feeling very apathetic lately but I found myself glued to your entries for a solid hour. Gonna read some more now. Keep up the good work, dear author, and take care.
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Oh gosh thank you so much! 💗
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>To kill a nkala, medicine is prepared from nkala remains
So you need one to kill one, but you gotta kill one to make one… how does that work out?
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~magic~
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May I reference you or use your art in my book for Dungeons and Dragons?
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You can’t use my art but you can definitely reference me, please, by all means!
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