Legend of Baloi: the exoteric level

However, the only difference, the only advantage that Tswana lore wields over others lies in its nomenclature. Indeed, as we will soon find out, baloi is the most accurately descriptive term yet…one that links them conclusively with the ‘gods’ of old. As such, it successfully puts in context exactly where, and when, these ‘magicians’ emerged.

The term baloi consists of the plural suffix ba (indicating plurality) and loi, the noun, the key word. Loi, however, as used in ba-loi, is a truncated word, as I will now show. The original, complete base-term, I have discerned, is illu – a Sumerian term meaning ‘fiery’ or light-giving’, just as in the Latin-based term ‘illuminate’.