Liqimsa

The Liqimsa were two man-eating monsters from the Borana Oromo people of Ethiopia. These creatures would consume anything and were believed to be brothers. They are monsters that fit into the category of African mythical creatures known as “Swallowers.” This refers to their voracious appetites. It’s believed this story represents the Borana Oromo being smart enough to beat other tribes. The Borana people lived North of a region called Liibaan, described as being between the Dawa Parma and Gannaale Doria rivers, from Kibre Mengist to Filtu. One day, they were attacked by monsters known as the Liqimsa. They were described as resembling elephants, and being taller than mountains with club-like front legs and human-like back legs. The Borana sacrificed human flesh to the monster daily, but quickly realized they would face extinction if this continued, and they decided to flee instead. Some of the fleeing Borana settled in the areas of Macha, Bacho, Salaale, Adda, Abichu, and Galan, where they founded new lineages. A few Borana fled south, but the Liqimsa discovered their tracks and rushed after them. The Liqimsa soon caught up with them and devoured them all but thirty warriors. Among the thirty survivors were two brothers. The elder was as renowned for his cunning as the younger was for his courage. When confronted by the monsters, the Elder Brother yelled, “Blood will become immortal, by the grace of Waaqa!” This was meant to say that whoever killed him would become immortal themselves. The Liqimsa engaged in a violent argument, both saying they deserved to eat the elder brother, uprooting trees all around them in anger. The younger brother, named Gadayu, grabbed two spears and held the spearheads in the fire. He used these heated spears to kill the two monsters by striking them in the bellies. After killing the Liqimsa, the Borana continued going South to a place called Dirre, where they drove out the people there.

Citations:

Bader, Christian. Mythes et légendes de la Corne de l’Afrique. France, Karthala, 2000.

Budzik, Mary. Basher History: Legendary Creatures: Unleash the Beasts!. United States, Kingfisher, 2021.

Huntingford, G. W. B.. The Galla of Ethiopia; The Kingdoms of Kafa and Janjero: North Eastern Africa Part II. United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2017.

Soman, Kouassi Pascal. An Eagle Flight for a Better World: Learning Journeys Across Africa and the United States 1. United States, iUniverse, 2024.