Smitten by Snakes: Mythology around reptiles in Africa

Issued by Rian Viljoen
Rian Viljoen is an avid amateur herper who is always available for problematic removals, shows, demonstrations, and to just talk reptiles on 083 306 3787

THIS article may bring up some memories for our older readers, and the younger ones may just learn a thing or two.
Chameleons, although arguably one of the most intriguing reptiles, have a history shrouded in African myth.

Culturally, they are reviled, and killed on sight, but I wonder how many can actually say why they are reviled? They are harmless to humans, have a generally slow lifestyle, and are quite helpful in their part to control pest insect populations.

But, for the reason why they are reviled, we will have to go back in time to the beginning.

The very beginning.
When the earth, animals and man were made, God gave the chameleon the task of going to tell man that he would live forever.

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Now, being slow, he took his time in getting to man. In the meantime, man had managed to cheese off God, and in His anger, He sent the lizard with a new message that they would now die.

Being faster than the chameleon, the lizard got to man with his dooming message first, and when the chameleon arrived, it was too late, and man has hated him ever since.

There are variations on this story, but the end is always the same. The chameleon is always too late, and hated for this.
Pythons also play an important part in certain cultural histories. Some tribes and areas revere it as a god, and across many African cultural backgrounds, it is the serpent that God rode while creating the earth, and after creating the world, the python curled around the equator, and holds the earth together.

Some worship it as a sacred animal, and to even think of harming or removing the python, without consulting the local authorities or ancestors, may land you in some serious hot water.

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A certain green snake, that is most likely one of the harmless Philothamnus species, is often regarded as the spirit of an ancestor coming to just check up on the family, and make sure that everything is well with their kin, and to harm it is also frowned upon, and may cause retribution from the ancestors

. A similar green snake, also most likely a Philothamnus species, is a long passed king, who is also checking up on his subjects from beyond the grave.
There are good and bad myths surrounding snakes from all cultures, countries, and continents, and Africa, by far, has some of the best out there, and explains a lot about the love / hate relationship that we, as South Africans, have with our serpentine brethren. A little searching on the internet or in your local library may surprise you, and you may gain valuable insight into our cultural myths around reptiles, and much more.

If you have any interesting stories please send them to: estella@caxton.co.za or Contact us on: 034 981 39 30.

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