Ilimu: A Creature that Can Shapeshift

In the Kikuyu tribe found in Kenya, there were stories about a creature that has the ability to shapeshift. This creature is called Ilimu. Compared to other werewolf, it is not a curse that turns a human to a shape-shifting monster. It is a demon that possesses the body of the animals and transform into a human form. On the other hand, according to the book ‘The Monster Magnus Vol. 1’, it is known to be a predatory animal. These animals can transform into human through magic.

Ilimu: A Predatory Animal or a Creature that Has

the Ability to Shapeshift

Dog Shift |Half fizz via Sketchport

In this article, we will look at the different legends surrounding the Ilimu creature.

 

An Insatiable Thirst for Murder

An Ilimu can be a hyena or a lion. There are some instances when it is a crocodile. They have been transformed with a magical incantation that allows them to gain the intelligence of a human being. In this story, the creature has the ability to shapeshift into a human. They will do this if they are killing their target. In addition, they will not stop from killing their victim. They will also visit their victim’s friends and family to murder them. Only then will he be able to return to the wilderness as an animal.  

But for an Ilimu to shapeshift into a human, he has to acquire a body tissue of a man such as a hair strand, nails or even blood. He would then extract it and would end up as a perfect replica of the person he wishes to copy. After successfully taking the appearance of a man, he would then kill that person and took over his life. It would then live a life of a human and socialize within the community.

A Clever Creature

Ilimu is known to be very clever, to a point that it can even trick a witch doctor or a shaman into thinking that he is indeed a human. Aside from Kenya, it is also known in the legends of different African communities which include Uganda and Ghana. Their ability to shapeshift has reached the different country in Africa.

In the year 1898, two lions were suspected of being an Ilimu. They were held responsible for the death of around 130 individuals that were constructing a bridge on the Tsavo River. The villagers formed a hunting team and hunted the creatures that can shapeshift. This incident was adopted in the movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” which starred Hollywood A-lister Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas. The lions were killed and were stuffed to place in a museum. They now serve as a tourist attraction in Field Museum found in Chicago, USA.

Ilimu has the habit of luring their victims to secluded area before attacking them. They have been closely associated with serial killers. This is due to the fact that they will not stop until the victim has been destroyed. They are also believed to be the leader of the pack. Aside from their ability to shapeshift, they also travel in pairs. This is to guarantee their protection.