Category: African Mythology

The West African trickster spirit Eshu Elegbara is Master of Roads. He determines whether someone’s path is clear or blocked with obstacles. Eshu determines how…

Simbi Spirits The Simbi spirits are a family of Congolese water spirits. They are a large diverse family. Simbi is a Kikongo word; the plural…

Calunga Mother of the Waters ALSO KNOWN AS: Kalunga ORIGIN: Congolese; Bantu Calunga is a Congolese spirit of death and the sea. The word Calunga…

Jezanna She Who Shows Herself in the Golden Moon ORIGIN: Mashona (Zimbabwe) If you see the reflection of the moon shining golden on the surface…

Mpungu ORIGIN: Congolese A Mpungu is a Congolese spirit. The plural is Kimpungulu. These spirits form the pantheon of the Afro-Cuban spiritual tradition, Palo. The…

Efé In African mythology (Pygmy), the first man who God created. After God created Efé, he wanted him to return to heaven so that he…

Ala In African mythology (Ibo of Eastern Nigeria), daughter of Chuku (the great god), mother earth, goddess of the underworld, ruler of men, guardian of…

The common ant, a tiny insect that lives in underground colonies and gathers food, is credited in North African myths with teaching the first humans…

animals Animal tales in the African tradition amuse and entertain, provide explanations, and comment on human weaknesses and values. Animal trickster heroes are common. Chief…