Legend of Dwarves and Other Underground Dwellers Around the World

Why do we have similar stories about ancient, semi-magical underground dwellers (dwarves) all over the world? Did such a race really exist in times long forgotten except by folklore and fairy tales? If not, if this is all made up, why do we see the same stories all over the world of underground people protecting the earth, secret treasures and great knowledge? And what is the relationship to ancient tunnel system and underground cities?

What is all behind this?


Here are just a few of the many examples:

Africa: In many African cultures, there are stories about underground dwellers such as dwarves and gnomes. For example, in the mythology of the Ashanti people of Ghana, there is a group of dwarfish beings called Abosom who are believed to live underground and protect the earth.

Asia: In Asian cultures, there are also stories about underground dwellers such as dwarves and gnomes. For example, in Chinese mythology, there is a group of dwarfish beings called the kui who are believed to live underground and guard treasures. In Japanese mythology, there are also stories about dwarves called kobolds who are believed to live underground and protect mines. In Hindu mythology, there are stories about a group of dwarfish beings called the yakshas who are believed to live underground and guard treasures.

Australia: In Aboriginal mythology, there are stories about underground dwellers such as the mamu, who are believed to live in underground tunnels and protect the earth.

Europe: In many European cultures, there are stories about dwarves and similar underground dwellers. For example, in Norse mythology, dwarves are described as living in the underground realm of Nidavellir, where they forge weapons and other objects for the gods. In Germanic mythology, dwarves are also depicted as living in underground cities, where they are skilled at mining and crafting. In Slavic mythology, there are stories about a group of dwarfish beings called the domovoi who are believed to live in underground tunnels and protect the home.

North America: In Native American mythology, there are stories about underground dwellers such as dwarves and gnomes. For example, in the mythology of the Hopi people, there is a group of dwarfish beings called the kachinas who are believed to live in underground tunnels and protect the earth.

South-East Asia: In South-East Asian cultures, there are also stories about underground dwellers such as dwarves and gnomes. For example, in Philippines' mythology, there is a being called the tikbalang who are believed to live in underground tunnels and the rainforest.

Actually, the Kachina's of Hopi legend lived in the sky and came down to earth to dwell in their villages during harvest time. You may be thinking of the 'ant people' who took them underground during an earth cataclysm and cared for them until it was safe to return to the surface.

At least one legend survived long enough to become fact.

Scientists have found skeletons of a human species that grew no larger than a three-year-old modern child. The species lived with pygmy elephants and giant lizards on a remote island in Indonesia.

[uwww.nationalgeographic.com...]

The Abosom in Ghana, Africa

The Abosom are a group of dwarfish beings that are featured in the mythology of the Ashanti people of Ghana, a nation in West Africa. They are believed to live underground and protect the earth. According to Ashanti mythology, the abosom are skilled craftsmen who create objects such as weapons and jewelry for the gods. They are also believed to be responsible for guarding underground treasures and protecting the earth from harm.

The abosom are often depicted as being small in size and physically strong, with some stories describing them as having long beards and wearing traditional Ashanti clothing. They are often associated with the earth and the natural world, and are believed to have a close relationship with the gods.

In Ashanti mythology, the abosom are revered as powerful and important beings, and it is believed that they can bring great blessings or curses upon those who honor or disrespect them. They are also sometimes depicted as mischievous or trickster-like figures, and are known for playing pranks on humans.

Overall, the abosom are an important part of Ashanti mythology and are deeply embedded in the culture and traditions of the Ashanti people.


The Kui of China
The kui are a group of dwarfish beings that are featured in Chinese mythology. They are believed to live underground and guard treasures. According to Chinese mythology, the kui are skilled craftsmen who create objects such as weapons and jewelry for the gods. They are also believed to be responsible for protecting underground treasures and guarding the earth from harm.

The kui are often depicted as being small in size and physically strong, with some stories describing them as having long beards and wearing traditional Chinese clothing. They are often associated with the earth and the natural world, and are believed to have a close relationship with the gods.

In Chinese mythology, the kui are revered as powerful and important beings, and it is believed that they can bring great blessings or curses upon those who honor or disrespect them. They are also sometimes depicted as mischievous or trickster-like figures, and are known for playing pranks on humans.

The Yakshas of India

The yakshas are a group of dwarfish beings that are featured in Hindu mythology. The yakshas are mentioned in various Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. In the Mahabharata, the yakshas are described as a powerful and fearsome race of beings who are associated with wealth and prosperity. In the Ramayana, the yakshas are depicted as loyal and faithful servants of the god Rama.

They are believed to live underground and guard treasures. According to Hindu mythology, the yakshas are skilled craftsmen who create objects such as weapons and jewelry for the gods. They are also believed to be responsible for protecting underground treasures and guarding the earth from harm.

The yakshas are often depicted as being small in size and physically strong, with some stories describing them as having long beards and wearing traditional Hindu clothing. They are often associated with the earth and the natural world, and are believed to have a close relationship with the gods.

The Mamu of Australia
The mamu are a group of underground dwellers that are featured in the mythology of Indigenous Australians. According to Indigenous Australian mythology, the mamu are believed to live in underground tunnels and protect the earth. They are also associated with the natural world, and are believed to have a close relationship with the land and its resources.

Unfortunately, there are not many written records or texts available that specifically reference the mamu of Indigenous Australian mythology. These stories have been passed down orally through generations of Indigenous Australians, and much of what is known about the mamu comes from oral traditions and cultural practices.

Even though there are not many specific events or anecdotes that stand out in the mythology of the mamu, they are an important part of Indigenous Australian culture and traditions, and they are deeply embedded in the beliefs and practices of Indigenous Australians.

The Kachinas of North America

The kachinas are a group of dwarfish beings that are featured in the mythology of the Hopi people, a Native American tribe in the southwestern United States, as well as other Puebloan cultures such as the Tewa Village, Zuni, Acoma, and Laguna Pueblos in New Mexico. According to Hopi mythology, the kachinas are believed to be the spirits of deceased ancestors and other beings in the natural world, and are associated with the earth and the natural world. They are revered as powerful and important beings who are responsible for bringing rain and ensuring the fertility of the land, and are often invoked for protection and guidance.

According to Hopi oral traditions, the kachinas emerged from the underworld with the Hopi people and taught them how to make tools, hunt, heal sickness, and live off the land by collecting plants and herbs and planting crops. They also brought rain for the crops and helped the people build thriving communities. However, when the Hopi people began to take the kachinas for granted, the kachinas returned to the underworld.

The kachinas are an important part of Hopi and Puebloan culture and traditions, and they are depicted in many art forms such as pottery, painting, and sculpture. They are also a central part of religious ceremonies, where they are invoked for protection and guidance and their actions are believed to transmit the supplications and prayers of the people to the kachina spirits.

The Tikbalang of South-East Asia
The tikbalang is a mythical creature from the mythology of the Philippines. It is a hybrid creature that is part human and part horse, and is known for its mischievous and trickster-like behavior. According to Philippine mythology, the tikbalang is said to have the body of a man and the head of a horse, and is often depicted as being tall and thin with long, thin legs. It is also said to have long, shaggy hair and hooves instead of feet, and is associated with dark and mysterious forces.

The tikbalang is often depicted as a malevolent being that preys on humans, especially travelers who become lost in the forest. It is said to lead people astray and cause them to become lost, and is also believed to be able to shape-shift into other forms.

I always thought dwarves lived in mountain forrests. The underground dwellers usually go by other names.

Much like mermaids, that are legendary world wide, there is probably a simple explanation.

As the mermaid legend was from women supporting themselves through fishing and gathering things from the sea shore, dwarves were probably just miners.

It is an advantage to be small for mining as you don't have to dig as much and can get into smaller natural underground areas.

As in dwarves being gatherers of the treasures underground that others can't reach.

This does fit the Nordic dwarf legends.

Now, the ant men and other legends would not fit this explaination.

a reply to: Torlin

That's mashing a whole lot of folklore and legends from various sources (and time periods) to say "oooh! Thorin Oakenshield and Gimli and all" DWARVES!

Dwarfism (like achondroplasia) is roughly 1 birth in 25,000, which means that every group on Earth has at one time or another had a dwarf born to that culture. Sometimes they're killed outright (sign of an evil spirit), other times they're seen as magical or as gifted entertainers and given a special status.

But there's no actual consistent, coherent story about a nation/race/tribe of dwarves living underground.

Stories of the Hobbits of Flores appear to have persisted and seem to have root in contact with this group of tiny humans and in Africa there's tales of the Pygmies (who were actually well-known.) Neither of these lived underground.

originally posted by: Torlin
The Kachinas of North America

The kachinas are a group of dwarfish beings that are featured in the mythology of the Hopi people, a Native American tribe in the southwestern United States, as well as other Puebloan cultures such as the Tewa Village, Zuni, Acoma, and Laguna Pueblos in New Mexico. According to Hopi mythology, the kachinas are believed to be the spirits of deceased ancestors and other beings in the natural world, and are associated with the earth and the natural world.

But not dwarves. Even though you inserted that, stories clearly indicate that they're of normal height. And as others have said, you seem to be confusing the Ant People with the kachinas.

The Tikbalang of South-East Asia
The tikbalang is a mythical creature from the mythology of the Philippines. It is a hybrid creature that is part human and part horse, and is known for its mischievous and trickster-like behavior. According to Philippine mythology, the tikbalang is said to have the body of a man and the head of a horse, and is often depicted as being tall and thin with long, thin legs. It is also said to have long, shaggy hair and hooves instead of feet, and is associated with dark and mysterious forces.

The tikbalang is often depicted as a malevolent being that preys on humans, especially travelers who become lost in the forest. It is said to lead people astray and cause them to become lost, and is also believed to be able to shape-shift into other forms.

Why did this end up in your list? Your comment here just said that they're "tall and thin with long, thin legs."

"Tall and thin" doesn't describe a dwarf.

This is a Choctaw legend about little people.

BOHPOLI – This diminutive, two foot tall figure was sort of the Choctaw equivalent of Pan from Greek myths or Bes from Egyptian myths. He lived in the forests and he would often toy impishly with visitors to his arborial domain by throwing sticks or stones at them before ducking out of sight. Any unusual sounds or movements in the forests were attributed to Bohpoli, who forever dwelt on the outskirts of the peripheral vision of the human victims of his pranks. 
Another of the figure’s favorite activities was to loudly bang on pine trees (yes, specifically pine trees) to wake up travelers who were camped for the night in his territory. Bohpoli – in some sources an entire race and not an individual – lived in the deepest reaches of the forest in a cave concealed by large rocks. The only human beings capable of seeing and conversing with Bohpoli were medicine men.

The forest dweller began his relationship with these medicine men when they were children. He would select sensitive and enlightened youngsters and strike up a friendship with them. Since Bohpoli was so short he seemed like just another child to these future medicine men. As the relationship deepened Bohpoli would eventually take the children to visit his cavern home. 
Once inside, the forest dweller would introduce the child to three elderly spirits with white hair. The first one offered him a knife, the second one poisonous herbs and the third one medicinal herbs. If the child accepts the knife he will grow up to be a violent mad man and kill his fellow Choctaws (but they’re so cute at that age). If he accepts the poisonous herbs he will become an evil medicine man and if he accepts the medicinal herbs he will become a wise and good medicine man. 
Bohpoli and the spirits instruct the child in the esoteric teachings of whichever gift he selects and return him to his home. The child must  never discuss his encounter with Bohpoli and his associates until after becoming a man

glitternight.com...

a reply to: Torlin

There have and still are many groups of what is today called pygmy tribes, small of stature they exist everywhere.

Now even tall family's on occasion can give birth to a small child but that is not what I allude to here but rather actual tribes or if you like nations of small people such as the Dropa tribe of China whom are of course linked by modern legend to a race of aliens that crashed here long ago according to the claims of the so called dropa stones.

And leaving that little tid bit aside he is what wiki has to say.
en.wikipedia.org...

Now these were most often simply people, no different to the freakishly tall giants whom lived around them other than there smaller stature - which may have certain advantages, less calories needed etc.

But that is of course very different to the troglodytic peoples of whom you speak.

These subterranean dwellers came in several formats according to legend, the tiny wee folk, leprechaun's, brownies and many other folk often associated with spirits or other worldly beings rather than simply small people living down holes.

For the most part we would like to say they are not real as of course if they were that tiny so too would there brains be so how could they be intelligent?.



So unlike the human small people these mystical being's are often associated with spirits but just maybe?.

And of course like the Dropa and the possible small alien people that may once have shared there territory the mystical elves are often related to what today we identify as UFO encounters, missing time, time flowing differently in there realm's, abductions, replacing human children with there own or so called changelings (hybrids perhaps), living in mushroom's or mushroom circles (UFO's are often pretty mushroom cap like so called flying saucers and of course can leave a circle if they land?).

Are they real, who is to say.

But there are some mysteries that suggest that just perhaps there were small very intelligent human like beings in the past and just maybe there are today.

During the building of the Queensway tunnel in Liverpool over here in the UK during the building of the tunnel and below much clay and sediment there is a story I once read that they found a small house, doors too small for todays people at only about three and half feet high, window's of similar scale and the whole roofless buried cottage far below the level of the current Mersey (which is more or less sea level so below modern sea level AND buried but how long ago?, of course this was just an urban legend I read and no photo's so take it with a shovel of salt.

I also remember reading about small ruins found in south America that were far too small for the natives whom WE know of today.


It is fair to say however that likely even small community's of human beings had legend's of even smaller people.


But how small can a brain be and still be intelligent enough to be what we would regard as a modern human level of intelligence, well it probably all depends on the actual wiring of there brains, the density of there brain cell's and likely if they did exist they would have had larger eye's relative to there size.

My guess is if they did exist and they were not human then they were possibly not from here.

But hey I am neither an anthropologist nor in any way knowledgeable on this subject however it did catch my attention on occasion.

Of course if you believe Bob Lazaar and I do - mostly, then according to him it was his understanding that the UFO he was working on the so called sports model was actually an archaeological find so possibly buried and very ancient and that the seats within that UFO were made for something less than half our stature.

a reply to: Torlin

and men used to drink ALOT .. water made people sick,
so they drank water mixed with wine to kill the germs (KIDS TOO)
and eat wheat infected with ergot,
and make up tall tales...

and makeup stories to make their children stay in the village,
and not wander off into the forests.. where there was wolves,poison snakes
and people used to travel to new lands and
tell stories about exotic lands they've seen.... or not

could all be b.s. based off of pygmies, to explain where theyre from.
or writers making up, or adding to the myths..
UNTIL WE FIND PROOF

aliens could just be future space travelers, who evolved into
thin, weak small humans due to having robots do all the work ..
think about this...

they wear a face mask, like we do for germs/covid,
and developed GREY/ SILVER IMPREGNATED spacesuits
to keep out/kill germs, and wear goggles to keep out germs/night vision/
or google-glasses
thats why they have BIG EYES, and no or small mouths. and GREY
and their once strong bodies ATROPHIED,
from extended time in space travel...

in just a few (2) years of being bed-bound from back surgeries,
i lost HALF my muscles, and now my muscles are excruciating,
from not moving around enough..
so how about our CRAMPED space modules and a TWO YEAR VOYAGE
to mars.. without stretching and some excersize,
after 2 years of NOT MOVING.......

they will be in so much pain they would rather die,
and wont be able to move..
your back starts first, getting too stiff to move, then is on FIRE
then leg muscles hurt so bad you would SWEAR your
leg bone is cracked/split whole way to your feet..
your legs become restless and you no longer sleep,
FROM THE PAIN

next your elbows hurt so bad it feels like your elbow is
being popped out of socket
from having a pillow or block wedged on opposite side and arm forced to bend,
too much pain to move

after two year trip to mars, no way youre getting in a stuffy spacesuit
and DOING ANY KIND OF WORK..
you will need a month of excruciating, intense physical therapy
just to be able to walk off the ship....

and i used to like SOME pain,,, it finally BROKE my will,
i wouldnt wish it on an enemy. i can no longer take much pain
it was INCREDIBLE..... NON-STOP, NO BREAKS
day after day, all month long, until years pass 24-7

so, without excersize,,for 2 whole years it is a suicide mission
this does not include your body feeling weak/drained,
and moving around for 5 minutes wipes you out,
even makes you dizzy.
and i was built like a rock, and highly athletic outdoors
person, grew up in the woods, fell out of trees,
with steep mountain roads to ride bike on,

was like a never ending camping trip..
could climb trees while still in diapers
i am almost 50, i went from a rock solid 180 lbs,
down to a sickly looking wrinkly, floppy, bony stick figure of 130lbs