The Lightning Bird, The Hamerkop
Nature’s answer to Mjölnir, the Hammer of Thor
There is a legend on my continent, Africa, of a bird that can summon the power of lightning. It is believed to be impervious to most weapons. You cannot stab it, shoot it or kill it with your bare hands. It can only be caught when a lightning bolt strikes the ground, and thereafter be killed with fire. This ominous bird is referred to as Impundulu translated to “Lightning bird”, or Inyoni Yezulu meaning “Bird of the heavens.”
What is a Lightning Bird?
The bird is commonly named the Hamerkop. It is an Afrikaans name directly translated to Hammerhead. This is as a result of the bird having a head…you guessed it, shaped like a hammer. It is near-endemic to Africa occurring South of the Sahara desert down towards the Southernmost point of South Africa, Madagascar, and a small area on the Arabian south coast. It is the only member of the genus Scopus and the bird family Scopidae. They are waders, standing in the shallows near the water’s edge hunting for food which include Platannas (clawed frogs), tadpoles, small aquatic invertebrates, and fish. As a species’ the Hamerkop is a monogamous bird and the male and female combine to build a nest the size of a washing machine by gathering grass, mud, old tires and pretty much anything else they can get hold of to construct their cozy love pad.
The Hamerkop is an odd-looking bird, and it displays downright absurd, even comical behavior at times due to its vociferous nature. When excited they will take turns jumping on each other’s backs, raising their crest, and flapping their wings excitedly while making loud calls. Often multiple Hamerkops will crowd around each taking its turn in this strange activity. It is called false mounting. When done between a pair, the display may seem sexual however it does not involve mating. It is possibly used to strengthen their monogamous pair bond or simply a way to let off steam by clowning around.
The Bird, the myth, the Legend
Now we get to the heart of the matter surrounding the Hamerkop, or more accurately, the legend it has brought to life. Traditional Nguni folklore ascribes many names to this bird. Lightning bird, Rainbird, Vampire bird, and Bird of the Heavens. Lightning plays a central role in the folklore as it is believed by the Bhaca people that flapping its powerful wings creates thunder and it comes down to earth to lay its eggs when the lightning strikes. It can also appear to them as an ominous man in a grey suit with nefarious intentions. They are said to be the servants of witches and witch doctors. It is believed the bird often rides on the backs of hyenas, who themselves are believed to be a form taken on by witch doctors.
On the opposite end of the spectrum in some parts of South Africa, the Hamerkop is looked upon fondly. Farmers seeing the bird believed it would bring good rains, living up to its name. It is interesting to note that the bird is largely left undisturbed by humans. While other birds are often killed when they become a nuisance, the Hamerkop is left in peace as it is considered bad luck to mess with the Hamerkop or its nest. The indigenous Khoisan people revere the Hamerkop.
Mjölnir, hammer of Thor
The bird often seen wading in shallow water is not believed to be hunting, but looking at reflections in the water which shows it the future. They are also said to be watching for falling stars. A falling star over the hut of a villager indicates that the person targeted will die. The Hamerkop will fly over the hut and utter three mournful cries. The San bushmen also believe that by robbing the nest of eggs you risk facing retaliation in the form of a lightning bolt from the heavens. In addition to this, one of their gods, Khauna will display his utter contempt for anyone who harms a Hamerkop. These are all clear instances where superstition surrounding an animal has protected that animal from persecution by humanity. I wish another of our incredible animals was afforded the same reverence. You can read my sobering article on the African White Rhino here.
Of course, all of the above is not based on actual science but in fact surrounded by superstition and folklore. But does that make it a bad thing? The world cannot progress without scientific facts, which is abundantly clear, but we also cannot forget and ignore the rich tales told by our ancestors and those of other cultures which add so much more to our diverse world and way of living. For me, the Hamerkop does not represent any of the above. I did not grow up in a tribal village, surrounded by these wise and wonderful people who passed on generations’ worth of knowledge to me regarding their experiences and beliefs. I am envious of this, and I believe we should all be. Growing up in the city my life can certainly not be compared to those of my fellow countrymen whom I mention above, not even remotely. My people, the Afrikaners do not have rich tales and legends surrounding the Hamerkop or many other local animals for that matter. For me, the Hamerkop represents something different entirely but something personal as well in its unique way.
The Legacy of the Lightning Bird
The Hamerkop is not a colorful bird like a kingfisher, nor is it a songbird with a tune of gold. It is a medium-sized, dull grey bird lacking any color and it produces loud, harsh calls. Despite all this, I believe it to be the most beautiful bird we have. I find it beautiful for its commitment and determination in building itself and its partner a home despite challenges faced by predators such as snakes and owls. I find it striking to observe, its build and its behavior. But the Hamerkop represents much more than this for me. It represents the beauty of my country and its diverse beliefs and traditions. It reaffirms my belief that stories passed down by generations hold incredible value for the modern world.
These stories can promote interest in the natural world and aid in the conservation of species. Legends retold can give us a greater understanding of our fellow humans, where they come from, and that which they hold dear. In the age of social media, fake news, and Twitterati where we are not sure what to believe, we can take solace in the fact that some beliefs will never change. Some traditions will never be lost. These beliefs cause no harm, they create no confusion. They simply shine a light on the people and the cultures we have not been fortunate enough to learn about yet…until now. Next time you hear or read about an important story relating to a group of people, do not simply dismiss it as hogwash. Take the time to learn about the people and the story they are telling. Learn about their past, their present, and what their future holds. Why? Because their success on earth is directly linked to yours and mine. In South Africa, the country of my birth the disparity between groups of people, old and young, rich and poor is profound. Perhaps by learning about other cultures we can narrow that gap. We can form bonds and build a better society where everyone can prosper in their own way.
The Hamerkop possesses great power but it is not in the form of thunder clouds and lightning bolts. It is in the form of knowledge. Knowledge which, if it were missing from our world would make it a much poorer place to live. Wildlife and nature have given us tales (some tall tales indeed, tall as Baobab trees), others more relatable and based on scientific fact. Regardless of which tales one chooses to believe or at the very least, draw inspiration from, nothing about them could be considered mundane or uninspired.
