Kalanoro
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Cryptid |
| Similar entities | Sylvanus |
| Folklore | Folklore |
| Origin | |
| Country | Madagascar |
| Region | Andoboara Cave[1] |
The Kalanoro are alleged cryptid humanoids described in the folklore of Madagascar. Believed to live as spirits, tradition asserts that they used to live corporeally in the rainforests; however, their physical forms were said to have gone extinct due to habitat destruction.[2][3]
The Kalanoro are described as small, hairy humanoids with fangs.[2] Their legs are said to be oriented backwards, with likewise backward-facing feet; further, their eyes are claimed to glow red.[2][4] Their hair and fingernails are both long and unkempt. Living solitary lifestyles, they reportedly eat raw meat, and have a "whining voice" that scares dogs.[5]
Stories of the Kalanoro and their motivations vary. They have been portrayed as malevolent spirits who rob, kill people, and abduct children.[4] The Kalanoro in recent times have also been associated with alcoholism;[6] however, they are also seen as loyal servants to their human companions and can take a paternalistic interest in humans. One Sakalava tale describes a Kalanoro kidnapping children, but only due to their perceiving mistreatment by the children's parents. Once the Kalanoro's demands were met, the abducted children were returned.[1]
As a subject of cryptozoology, they were discussed in an episode of Destination Truth.
Kalanoro in religious and contemporary practice
[edit]The Kalanoro are said to act as spirit servants to the living.[2] They reportedly steal as well as act in the role of clairvoyants for their human companions, who can also draw on them for healing.[3][5] If a person wishes to purchase the services of a Kalanoro, they traditionally visit the "owner's" establishment at night, and only interact with them through a wall or closed door.[2] It is said that when the human's voice reaches a high-pitched register and a nasal timbre, the Kalanoro is speaking through them.[2] The Kalanoro are also said to impart taboos to people via their dreams or by means of visions.[4][7]
It has also been suggested that the Vazimba are the ghosts of the Kalanoro.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Hobbs, Joseph J. (2001). "People and caves in Madagascar". Focus on Geography. 46 (3). New York, USA: American Geographical Society: 1–7. doi:10.1111/j.1949-8535.2001.tb00011.x.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sodikoff, Genese Marie (2012). Forest and Labor in Madagascar: From Colonial Concession to Global Biosphere. Indiana University Press. p. 43. ISBN 9780253003096. JSTOR j.ctt16gzp0j.6.
- 1 2 Paik, Peter Y.; Wiesner-Hanks, Merry (2013), "9", Debt: Ethics, the Environment, and the Economy, 21st Century Studies, Indiana University Press, p. 149, ISBN 9780253009432, JSTOR j.ctt16gzgz4.13
- 1 2 3 Holmes, George; Smith, Thomas Aneurin; Ward, Caroline (April 2018). "Fantastic beasts and why to conserve them: animals, magic and biodiversity conservation". Oryx. 52 (2). Cambridge University: 231–239. doi:10.1017/S003060531700059X.
- 1 2 Sharp, Lesley A. (2001). "Wayward Pastoral Ghosts and Regional Xenophobia in a Northern Madagascar Town". Africa. 71 (1). Cambridge University Press on behalf of the International African Institute: 38–81. doi:10.2307/1161481. JSTOR 1161481. 1161481.
- ↑ Legrip-Randriambelo, O.; Regnier, D (2014), "The Place of Healers-Diviners (Ombiasa) in Betsileo Medical", Health, Culture and Society, 7 (1): 30, doi:10.5195/hcs.2014.188
- ↑ Golden, Christopher D.; Comaroff, Jean (2015), "The human health and conservation relevance of food taboos in northeastern Madagascar", Ecology and Society, 20 (2): 42, doi:10.5751/ES-07590-200242, JSTOR 26270204
- ↑ Graeber, David (1997). "Painful Memories". Journal of Religion in Africa. 27 (4). Brill Publishers: 383. doi:10.2307/1581909. JSTOR 1581909.