Yarn & Tea Club Ready to Ship - Mama Ocllo

This is a pre-order — the yarn will be dyed especially for you and will be ready to dispatch by the 2nd week of October. The pre-order is live until the 22nd of September.

FOLKLORE YARN & TEA CLUB

THE TALE OF THE IZULU

In the southern lands of Africa, where the Zulu, Pondo, and Xhosa people live, there is a tale whispered through generations—a tale that brings both awe and fear. It is the tale of the Izulu, the Lightning Bird.

The Izulu, also known as impundulu or thewane, is said to have the power to summon thunder and lightning with the sweep of its talons and wings. In Xhosa, it is called Thekwane, meaning "lightning bird," and the Zulu know it as Izulu, while in Zululand, it is referred to as Inyoni yezulu. Some say it stands as tall as a man, with black and white feathers like storm clouds. Others describe it differently—a village girl once claimed it appeared as a great black rooster, running up her hoe and leaving claw marks as it vanished into the sky.

Some say the Izulu shines like a peacock, with iridescent feathers, while others speak of its red beak, legs, and tail. There are whispers that the Lightning Bird can take human form, though it reveals its true self only to women. The hammerkop, a bird known for eating fish, is also said to resemble the Izulu.

When the Izulu flaps its wings, thunder crashes, and when it descends to earth, lightning strikes, leaving fairy circles where it lays its eggs. Some say these eggs bring misfortune unless destroyed, while others believe grinding them into powder and mixing them with glowing fish can summon lightning to strike one's enemies.

The Izulu, fierce and mysterious, embodies the untamed power of the African landscape, much like the Irish Nuckelavee, a mythical creature with similar powers. This bird of lightning is a creature of both wonder and terror.