Talafsa or Thalafsa (tifinagh: ⵜⴰⵍⴰⴼⵙⴰ, "Viper" ), is a female aquatic dragon of Libyan mythology. The myth is widespread across North Africa and more particularly in the Kabyles and Rif legends. It is a Berber equivalent to the legend of the Hydra.
The creature is generally described as a destructive and flesh-eating with seven monstrous heads. It haunts forests and mountains where it hides in springs and water points essential to rural inhabitants. Mistress of the fountains and wells, she demands that the villagers deliver a young girl as an annual sacrifice, otherwise they will die of thirst.
| Creatures and Jinn of Berber mythology | |
|---|---|
| Kabyle | Taghyalt Timqber • Talafsa • Teryel • Waghzen |
| Rifain | Aicha Kandicha • Boukhencha • Talafsa • Taserdount Nisemsal |
| Shilha | Aghzen • Chaarmarouch • Taghzent • Bouda |
| Tuareg | Elas Molan • Kambaltou • Anigouran |
| Other | Tibicena • Maxios |