Mokele-m'bembe

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The Mokèlé-Mbèmbé is the name given a large creature reported to live in the lakes and swamps of the Congo River basin, its very existence has been disputed between mainstream scientists on one side, local Pygmies and creationists and cryptozoologists on the other. Mokèlé-mbèmbé means "one who stops the flow of rivers." Mokele-mbembe is also used as a generic term to refer to other animals like Emela-ntouka, Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu, and Nguma-monene.

Overview

The tales of the mokèlé-mbèmbé are an apparently ancient component of the oral history of the Pygmy tribes. These peoples have an intimate relationship with the rainforest, which supplies all their needs. Mokèlé-mbèmbé is apparently an herbivore, although they have been reported to kill humans and hippopotamuses. It is interesting to note that there is a low population of hippos in the Likouala swamp, where Mokèlé-mbèmbé's are reported to live. Although there have been many sightings by people, cryptozoologists are still not sure whether this animal exists. Some believe that it is possible mokèlé-mbèmbé could have survived the mass extinction about 65 million years ago.