Kaggen, also written ǀKaggen, is a demiurge and folk hero of the San people of southern Africa. He is a trickster god who can shapeshift, usually taking the form of a praying mantis but also a bull eland, a louse, a snake and a caterpillar.
Facts
Attestation
Veneration TodayActively venerated in a living tradition 1 HistoricityNot a historical person: a divine or other-than-human being 1 Belief
TheologyPolytheistic: many gods 1 Iconography
SymbolSourced to the subject's own accountKaggen is a trickster demiurge of the San people who can shape shift, usually taking the form of a praying mantis but also a bull eland, a louse, a snake and a caterpillar. 3 Function
Domain / Function Connections
Associated With
In San (Bushmen) religion the eland is the favored creature of Kaggen, the trickster-creator, central to the dance and its rock art.
Source Nyae Nyae !Kung Beliefs and RitesLorna Marshall
Sources
1. The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend
Anthony S. Mercatante, revised and expanded by James R. Dow, Facts on File
2. Encyclopedia of African Religion
Molefi Kete Asante and Ama Mazama, editors, SAGE Publications
3. Kaggen (Wikipedia)
Lead sectionQuote, Lead section
He is a trickster god who can shape shift, usually taking the form of a praying mantis but also a bull eland, a louse, a snake, and a caterpillar.
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