Encounter Atlas
The Ebu Gogo are human-like beings in the folklore of the Nage people of central Flores, Indonesia. In the Nage language the name means roughly 'grandparent who eats anything', something like 'old glutton'. They are described as about 5 ft tall, hairy, fast runners with wide flat noses and large mouths, who murmured in their own language and could repeat words back like parrots.
In the stories they were greedy and stole food, and even children. One tale says that in the 18th century villagers gave the Ebu Gogo palm fibre to make clothes, then set it alight once it was in their cave, killing all but perhaps one pair who fled into the forest.
The legend gained worldwide attention in 2003, when archaeologists at Liang Bua cave in western Flores found the remains of Homo floresiensis, a tiny human species nicknamed the 'hobbit'. Anthropologist Gregory Forth suggested such tales may preserve memories of real encounters. Most scientists are doubtful, because H. floresiensis now appears to have died out around 50,000 years ago.
What witnesses report
- Murmuring voices in the forest
- Food stolen from fields
- Small, hairy upright figures
- Words repeated back
Famous cases
- 2003Homo floresiensis fossils found at Liang Bua
Liang Bua, Flores, Indonesia
Seen the Ebu Gogo?
Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can stay anonymous.
