African Mythology
African Mythology consists of entries from Ashanti, Fon, Dinka, Yoruba, Khiokhoi, Ibo, Xhosa, Shongo, Zulu, Abalyia, Agni, Akamba, Alur, Ankore, Basuto, Baule, Baventa, Benin, Botswana Bushmen, Baga, Asante, Bambara. Bantu, Banyarwanda, Banyoro, Barotse, Basuto, Bushoong, Dagamba, Damara, Djaga, Dogon, Efik, Hausa, Hottentot, Ijaw, Isoko, Kalahari Bushmen, Kalyl, Kaonde, Kavango, Koko, Lele, Lotuko, Lugbara, Lumba, Luo, Luveda, Makeni, Masai, Mende, Nama, Mbunda, Ngombe, Nbandi, Nuer, Nupe, Pygmy, Shilluk, Shona, Shongon, Songhai, Tonga, Tunbuka, Upota, and Zambesi. The myths did not distinguish between culture, country, or tribes. There may also be others not mentioned here.
There were many mythical gods but not all of them were worshiped by all tribes but some gods were worshiped by more than one tribe. One of the gods which was worshiped by some of the tribes was Ananasi, which was a trickster spider, known as a creator god. Ananasi was thought to be a scoundrel but was also well liked. There are many interesting stories about this god. Anyiewo (or Ewe), was known as The Great Serpent who was known to come out after a rain and graze. The rainbow was thought to be his reflection.
Buku was a sky god (sometimes worshiped as a goddess), and was worshiped by some of the Western African tribes. Buku was given credit for creating the other gods and everything else, the universe and everything in it. The Snake god Dahn Ayido Hwedo (or Dahomey) was believed to be the the Rainbow snake which encircles the earth with it’s head in it’s mouth to portray unity. The Haitians recognized him as Dan Petro.
Another creator god was Dxui, who was worshiped by the Hottentots, Tsui, Xhosa, and Ponda tribes. Dxui took the form of a different flower or plant every day and was himself at night. He continued to do this until he had created every flower and plant on earth. Eshu (in Yoruba) was another trickster and could change forms and shapes. He could seem both big and small at the same time and this drove some people crazy. He also knew every language so he acted as a messenger between the humans and the gods.
Other gods worshiped were: Gunab (worshiped in Hottentot) was the enemy of Tsui-Goab and was often associated with death, Gua (worshiped by the Ga tribe in West Africa) was the God of thunder, blacksmiths, and farmers.
Many other gods were also worshiped by the tribes. Some of them were. Mawu-Lisa, Leza, Kibuka, Nanan-Bouclou, Nyame, Nzame, Tano, Unkulunkulu, just to name a few. These records may not be completely accurate because there are different versions and sometimes the names are spelled differently, but they are hopefully accurate enough to give the reader an idea about the African gods.
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