The Grootslang
In the deserts of north-western South Africa, legend tells of the Grootslang, a giant serpent guarding a bottomless cave full of diamonds.
What was reported
The grootslang, Afrikaans for 'great snake', is a legendary creature said to live in a deep cave in the Richtersveld, a remote, rugged desert on the border with Namibia. It is described as a vast serpent, sometimes with the head of an elephant, created by the gods at the beginning of the world.
Its cave, sometimes called the 'Wonder Hole', is said to be bottomless and filled with diamonds, and the region really is rich in diamonds, which have drawn prospectors for over a century.
Explanations offered
The grootslang is a figure of legend. Stories of fearsome guardians around treasure may have grown among prospectors in a harsh, dangerous landscape. The Richtersveld is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rare plants.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Richtersveld, Northern Cape, South Africa
- Witnesses
- Local tradition
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.