Hello everybody!
Dive with us into the mesmerising realms of Australia and New Zealand's folklore, populated
with enigmatic and dangerous creatures.
Ready for an adventure into the unknown?
Let's begin!
Yara-ma-yha-who
Yara-ma-yha-who is a creature from Australian Aboriginal folklore.
It is described as a small, red-skinned humanoid creature with a large mouth and suckers on
its hands and feet.
When it spots a potential victim, it jumps down from the tree and pounces on them, using
its suction cup-like hands and feet to attach itself.
Once attached, the creature drains the victim's blood using the suckers on its fingers and
toes.
Legend has it that those who have encountered the Yara-ma-yha-who and survived are said
to transform into one themselves.
It is seen as a fearsome predator and a cautionary tale to children about wandering alone.
Tiddalik
Tiddalik is a figure from Australian Aboriginal stories.
According to the legend, the creature was a giant frog or a water spirit that lived
in a waterhole.
This giant frog possessed an insatiable thirst, causing it to drink up all the water in the
land, leaving other creatures in danger.
The animals realised that something needed to be done to stop Tiddalik from drinking
up all the water and causing further harm.
They devised a plan to make Tiddalik laugh, hoping that it would release the water.
Various animals, such as the kangaroo, kookaburra, and echidna, took turns performing comical
acts and telling jokes to amuse the giant frog.
Eventually, Tiddalik couldn't contain its laughter and began to laugh uncontrollably.
As it laughed, the water it had consumed came pouring out of its mouth, restoring the waterways
and bringing life back to the land.
The story of Tiddalik teaches important lessons about the significance of water and the need
for sharing and balance in the natural world.
It highlights the interdependence of all living creatures and the consequences that can arise
from selfishness or hoarding resources.
The Nargun
The Nargun is a creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology, specifically the Gunaikurnai people
of southeastern Australia.
It is a stone being, half-human and half-rock, with a tough, impenetrable exterior.
The Nargun is depicted as a fearsome guardian of sacred sites, punishing those who disrespect
the land.
If a human were to come too close or act aggressively towards the Nargun, it is said that the Nargun
would become hostile.
Its role is to preserve the cultural heritage and maintain the balance between humans and
the natural world.
Akurra
Akurra is a mythical serpent from Aboriginal folklore, originating from the Warlpiri people
of Central Australia.
It is a powerful rainbow serpent believed to inhabit waterholes and create waterways.
Akurra is associated with fertility, rain, and the replenishment of water sources.
As a significant cultural figure, it plays a vital role in the creation and sustenance
of the natural world, embodying the connection between land, water, and life.
The Hawkesbury River Monster
The Hawkesbury River Monster is a creature of Australian folklore, primarily associated
with the Hawkesbury River region in New South Wales.
Described as a serpentine creature resembling a plesiosaur, it is believed to dwell in the
depths of the river.
The monster's role is often that of a legendary creature, inspiring stories and speculation
among locals, while also adding an air of mystery and excitement to the region.
Taniwha
The Taniwha is a mythical creature prominent in Māori mythology of New Zealand.
It's often described as a supernatural being or creature that resides in deep pools in
rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive
breakers.
Depictions of the Taniwha vary widely, and it is often represented as a dragon-like creature
or serpentine, a shark, a whale, or even as a humanoid.
Some Taniwha are considered protective guardians of people or places, while others are seen
as malevolent and dangerous to humans, particularly those who intrude upon their territories.
Bunyip
The Bunyip is a creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology.
Descriptions of the creature vary widely among Aboriginal communities, but it is often depicted
as a sort of monstrous water spirit inhabiting the swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds,
and waterholes of Australia.
In some tales, the Bunyip is described as having a dog-like face, a crocodile-like head,
dark fur, a horse-like tail, flippers, and walrus-like tusks or horns.
It is sometimes said to be enormous in size, and its cries in the night are described as
terrifying to hear.
In some stories, it emerges at night to feast on animals and, in some accounts, human beings,
particularly women and children.
The Bunyip is said to be a secretive creature.
Its habitat is often marked with sticks and warnings, and Aboriginal people were wary
of approaching these bodies of water in case the creature should attack them.
The Bunyip was used in Aboriginal cultures as a cautionary tale to warn others, particularly
children, from approaching or going near certain dangerous waters.
The Waitoreke
The Waitoreke is a creature found in Māori mythology, believed to inhabit the rivers
and lakes of New Zealand.
Depicted as a semi-aquatic mammal resembling an otter, it is known for its mischievous
nature.
The Waitoreke is often seen as a guardian of the waterways, with the ability to bring
good fortune or bad luck to those who encounter it.
Yowie
Yowie, a legendary creature entrenched in Australian Aboriginal mythology, roams the
remote wilderness areas.
Descriptions of the creature, named by the European settlers, can vary widely.
However, the common perception of a Yowie is a hairy and ape-like creature standing
upright at between 6.6 and 12 feet tall.
It's often described as having a strong and unpleasant smell.
Tales of the Yowie describe it as either shy and reclusive, or as a more aggressive and
territorial creature, depending on the account.
Often seen as a solitary and elusive protector of the natural world, Yowie fuels the imagination
and captivates the minds of those who ponder its existence.
Burrunjor
Burrunjor, a mythical being intertwined with Australian Aboriginal folklore, emerges as
a large, bipedal dinosaur, similar to a Tyrannosaurus rex or other theropod dinosaurs.
It is said to inhabit the swamps and grasslands of Australia's Northern Territory.
Stories describe it as a highly predatory creature with a taste for large animals.
Its name supposedly derives from an Aboriginal term related to "devil" or "evil spirit."
Tales of this legendary creature evoke a sense of wonder and admiration for the untamed wilderness
that lies beyond civilization's grasp.
The Hooroo
In Australian folklore, The Hooroo is a fearsome mythical creature, a giant and angry kangaroo
of legendary proportions.
Towering over the landscape, its muscles ripple with raw power, and its fiery eyes strike
fear into the hearts of all who encounter it.
With thunderous leaps, it bounds across the Outback, shaking the earth beneath its massive
paws.
The Hooroo's booming roars echo through the night, a warning to those who dare challenge
its dominance in the vast Australian wilderness.
Marakihau
The Marakihau is a creature in Māori mythology in New Zealand.
The creature is particularly known for its distinctive appearance.
It's described as having a long, slender body, and a human-like face.
Its most distinguishing feature is an extraordinarily long tongue, which is used to catch fish.
The creature is often associated with the sea, and depictions usually show the Marakihau
using its long tongue to pull fish from the water.
Despite its somewhat frightening appearance, the Marakihau is not typically portrayed as
malevolent.
Instead, these creatures are often depicted as protectors or guardians of certain bodies
of water, but they can also pose dangers to those who disrespect them or their territories.
The Marakihau symbolises the connection between the Māori people and the sea.
It embodies both the bountiful resources the ocean provides, and the dangers it can pose.
The Muldjewangk
The Muldjewangk is a creature from the folklore of the Ngarrindjeri, an Indigenous Australian
people.
The creature is believed to inhabit the Murray River, particularly Lake Alexandrina and the
lagoons around it, in South Australia.
According to the legends, the Muldjewangk is a water monster or river spirit that detests
human intrusion into its habitats.
It's often depicted as a malevolent being, responsible for various mishaps and accidents
that happen to people near its dwelling.
The nature of the Muldjewangk varies in different tales.
In some, it's described as a large, monstrous creature that can capsize canoes and boats.
In others, it is a more ghost-like entity that terrorises those who wander too close
to its waters at night.
Some stories even tell of the Muldjewangk kidnapping children who venture too close
to the water's edge.
Despite the malevolent depiction, the Muldjewangk also served an important function in Ngarrindjeri
culture as a cautionary figure.
The stories of this creature were often used to enforce community rules and norms, especially
those related to the preservation of the environment and the respect of sacred sites.
They also served as warnings for children to stay away from dangerous waterways.
Quinkan
The Quinkans are creatures from the Aboriginal mythology of the Indigenous people in the
Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
They are one of the most well-known figures in this region's rock art, with many cave
paintings and petroglyphs depicting them.
Quinkans are typically divided into two types: the Imjim (or "good" Quinkans) and the Timara
(or "bad" Quinkans).
Imjim are often described as tall, slender beings.
They are said to be gentle, kind, and protective spirits who watch over the people and help
them, especially when they are in need or danger.
In contrast, the Timara are the malevolent Quinkans.
They are usually depicted as shorter, stout creatures.
The Timara are known to be mischievous and harmful, causing trouble and creating chaos.
They have the power to transform themselves into various animals or objects and like to
frighten or trick humans.
The Quinkan mythology and the associated rock art are deeply significant to the local Indigenous
people, and they form an integral part of their cultural heritage.
These mythologies have been passed down through generations and play a crucial role in conveying
moral lessons, community values, and a sense of belonging.
Dirawong
The Dirawong, also known as the goanna spirit, is a creature from the mythology of the Bundjalung
people, an Aboriginal group from the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, Australia.
The Dirawong is a protective spirit associated with teaching and wisdom, and is usually depicted
as a large goanna, a type of lizard.
It is said to have given the Bundjalung people their laws, traditions, rituals, and knowledge
of the land.
It is also said to have taught them how to behave in society, how to hunt, and how to
use the land without depleting its resources.
One of the most famous stories involving the Dirawong is its battle with the Akurra the
Rainbow Serpent presented earlier in this list.
According to the legend, the Rainbow Serpent attacked the Bundjalung people and the Dirawong
came to their defence, engaging the Serpent in a great battle that created many of the
land features of the Northern Rivers region.
The Drop Bear
The "Drop Bear" is a creature of modern Australian folklore, often invoked in jest to playfully
scare tourists or newcomers.
It's a supposed predatory version of the koala, an otherwise gentle and herbivorous marsupial.
According to the tale, Drop Bears are large, carnivorous koalas that live in the treetops
and drop down onto unsuspecting prey passing beneath them.
They are typically described as having powerful limbs, sharp teeth, and a very aggressive
nature, unlike real koalas.
The story is often told to encourage caution in the Australian bush, or simply as a light-hearted
prank.
While many aspects of the Drop Bear myth are obviously humorous or exaggerated, it also
contains elements that echo real hazards of the Australian wilderness.
For example, many real Australian animals are known to occasionally drop from trees,
including some species of snakes and, in rare instances, even koalas.
So while the Drop Bear itself is a joke, the cautionary element of the story taps into
a genuine aspect of navigating the Australian outdoors.
The Oozlum Bird
The Oozlum bird is a mythical creature originating from British and Australian folklore.
According to the legend, the Oozlum bird is a creature of peculiar habits, most famously
known for its ability to fly backwards, which it purportedly does so that it can admire
its own beautiful tail feathers.
The name "Oozlum" is often suggested to be a play on the phrase "lose 'em", referring
to the bird's supposed habit of flying backwards and disappearing.
The most well-known aspect of the Oozlum bird myth is the creature's bizarre method of self-defense.
When threatened or startled, the bird is said to fly straight up into the air and then disappear,
effectively vanishing by flying up its own backside.
While this creature is entirely fictional, it has been used in various ways throughout
popular culture.
In the British military, "Oozlum bird" has been used as a term for something that is
difficult to understand or an unsolvable problem.
Similarly, in Australian usage, it has been invoked as a symbol of absurdity and paradox.
Wagyl
The Wagyl is a significant creature in the mythology of the Noongar people, an Indigenous
Australian people from the southwest corner of Western Australia.
This creature is typically depicted as a powerful serpent or snake-like being, often associated
with waterways such as rivers, swamps, and the sea.
Similar to other snake or serpent figures in Indigenous Australian cultures, like the
Rainbow Serpent, the Wagyl is often associated with the creative forces that shaped the land,
and is a symbol of the life-giving power of water.
One of the most common stories involving the Wagyl tells of how it formed the major rivers
and landscapes in the southwest of Western Australia.
In this tale, the paths that the creature travelled become rivers and waterways, while
places where it stopped or rested became important sites and features of the landscape.
Many of these locations are considered sacred by the Noongar people.
The Wagyl is not just a creator, but also a protector and a law-giver.
The Noongar people believe that if they don't respect the Wagyl's laws, it may become angry
and create natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.
That's a wrap on our mythological journey through Australia and New Zealand!
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Until next time, keep the spirit of adventure alive!
Yours truly,
Mythos, The Historian…