Dundee’s Lost Tales – The Raka: A murder and a curse
The Raka is a wild, but clever, half ape half man creature
There are many strange tales about Dundee, but none quite like this. This one involves murder, a curse and an ape-like man.
The Raka, as he is referred to in stories and poems, is a wild, but clever, half ape half man creature. He is said to roam the plains and mountains near the Buffalo River.
No one knows how he came to be, but there are many stories about him. This is one such tale.
Years ago, a woman was said to have murdered her husband. To avenge his death, an Nyanga put a curse on her. Since the locals were terrified of the Raka, he cursed her so that she would always be pursued by him. There are witnesses who claim to have seen the creature attacking the woman.
The legend of the Raka is not unheard of. NP van Wyk Louw wrote a poem about the creature called ‘Die koms van Raka’.
In it he says:
“Die ander dag…hetdie kinders hom gesien – Raka, die swart dier.”
He goes on to say:
“Skielik in die water weggeplas waar hy het glad en vinnig soos ‘n otter was.”
Whether this creature actually existed remains to be seen. It may just be a flight of fancy. However, it does make a great story.
