Nandi Bear
Description
Fierce creature of Nandi folklore described as larger than a bear with a sloping back. Attacks at night targeting the skull. Possibly based on extinct giant hyena
Origin & Background
The Nandi bear is a creature passed down in the folklore of East Africa, with its name derived from the Nandi people residing in western Kenya. This creature is also known as Chemosit, Kerit, Koddoelo, Ngoloko, and Duba, which are derived from the Arabic word dubb meaning 'bear' or d.abʕ / d.abuʕ meaning 'hyena'. Additionally, the Samburu Nkampit seems to be a variation of this creature.
The Legend
Descriptions of the Nandi bear depict it as a ferocious carnivore, with high front shoulders (over 1.2 meters) and a sloped back. According to the tales, the Nandi bear is said to be aggressive and nocturnal, capable of standing on its hind legs to kill animals. The Nandi people refer to this creature as kerit, and local legends suggest that the Nandi bear has red fur and long legs, and is capable of scalping humans. In 1961, Gardner Soule noted that sightings of this creature were reported in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Kenya, but stated that it had 'never been captured or confirmed'. Sightings of the Nandi bear have decreased over time. In 1905, Richard Meinertzhagen speculated that this creature might be an 'extinct humanoid monkey due to decreased rainfall'.
In Popular Culture
The Nandi bear appears as a monster in the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series. In 'The Peculiar Exploits of Brigadier Ffellowes', a modern fantasy anthology by Sterling E. Lanier, there is a short story titled 'His Only Safari', where the protagonist briefly encounters a kerit and speculates that such a creature may have inspired the Egyptian legend of Anubis. In Tarzan #134 (Gold Key Comics, March 1963), there is a scene where Tarzan encounters and fights the Nandi bear, which is depicted as a furry tree bear-like creature. In the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, a fantasy role-playing game published by Paizo Publishing in 2009, Chemosit appears, described as 'a massive, furry beast that stands on its hind legs using its long muscular forelegs and beats its chest like a gorilla'. This magical creature has a special ability called 'Brain Eater', where Chemosit breaks the skull of its enemies and devours the insides. The Nandi bear also appears in the daily comic panel 'True-Life Adventures' on May 22, 1956.
This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Nandi bear" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia