Afterworld
The afterworld is the place where souls went after death. In many African traditions—as in cultures throughout the world—the home of the dead was the…
Month: July 2017
Adroanzi
adroanzi Lugbara (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Uganda) The children of Adro, the earthly aspect of Adroa. The adroanzi were guardian spirits of the…
Adroa
Adroa Lugbara (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Uganda) The Supreme God and Creator, who—like many other African gods—had two aspects. He was, therefore, in…
Abu Yazid
Abu Yazid (Abuyazidu) (d. 947) Berber (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) The historical figure on whom the mythical hero bayajida may have been based. Abu Yazid was…
Abu Nuwas
Abu Nuwas (Abu Nowas, Abu Nu’as) (747?– ca. 813) Arab (Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania, Zanzibar) An eighth-century Persian poet who became a trickster-hero in areas of…
Abua
Abua – Abua (Nigeria) – The first man to settle on Earth. The Supreme God, Ake, sent Abua and his wife, Egupe, down from the…
Abradi Ama
Abradi Ama, Nyimang (Sudan) The Supreme God and Creator, who lived in the sky. Abradi was all-powerful and above all spirits, whose power came from…
Abosom
Abosom is the name for the pantheon of gods and goddesses of the Ashanti and other members of the Akan language group. The head of…
Aberewa
Aberewa Ashanti (Ghana) The name given to both the primordial, or first, woman and a powerful earth goddess, who was also called Asaase Yaa. Aberewa…
Abassi
Abassi (Abasi) Anang, Efik (Nigeria) The Supreme God and Creator, who lived in the sky. Like many other African gods, Abassi had a dual nature…