Contents
Gods list by type
Water Deities:
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Oshun (Yoruba)
- Olokun (Yoruba)
- Njuzu (Shona)
- Nyami Nyami (Shona)
- Simbi (Kongo)
- Gu (Fon)
Sky Deities:
- Nyame (Akan)
- Ggulu (Baganda)
- Ngai (Kikuyu and Maasai)
- Roog (Serer)
- Modimo (Sotho)
- Qamata (Xhosa and Zulu)
- Unkulunkulu (Zulu)
Earth Deities:
- Anansi (Akan)
- Asase Ya (Ashanti)
- Katonda (Baganda)
- Ala (Igbo)
- Kiwanuka (Baganda)
- Lubangala (Kongo)
- Mbumba (Kongo)
Trickster Figures:
- Anansi (Akan)
- Eshu (Yoruba)
- Legba (Fon and Dahomey)
- Jengu (Sawa)
- Gizo (Hausa)
- Khonvoum (Pygmy)
- Hlakanyana (Zulu)
Gods of War:
- Ogun (Yoruba)
- Sango (Yoruba)
- Ogoun (Vodou)
- Faran Maka Bote (Songhai)
- Moussa Nyawri (Songhai)
- Dongo (Songhai)
- Nyaberi (Songhai)
Goddesses of Love and Fertility:
- Oshun (Yoruba)
- Erzulie (Vodou)
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Aganju (Yoruba)
- Oya (Yoruba)
- Yemoja (Yoruba)
- Mwari (Shona)
Death and Underworld Deities:
- Asase Ya (Ashanti)
- Sagbata (Yoruba)
- Sakpata (Yoruba)
- Ayaba (Loa)
- Nana Buluku (Loa)
- Mamba Muntu (Kongo)
- Simbi dia Maza (Kongo)
Nature Spirits:
- Bia (Akan)
- Intikuma (Akan)
- Nyame (Akan)
- Gleti (Fon)
- Da (Loa)
- Xevioso (Loa)
- Zinsi (Loa)
Heroes and Legends:
- Amokye (Akan)
- Abu-Mehsu (Akan)
- Mwindo (Nyanga)
- Ongo (Nyanga)
- Lusiemo (Kongo)
- Wulbari (Krachi)
- Adroa (Lugbara)
Ancestral Spirits:
- Abuk (Dinka)
- Nhialic (Dinka)
- Atai (Efik)
- Kishi (Luba)
- Lewru (Luba)
- Musisi (Kabundungulu)
- Koox (Serer)
Animal Spirits:
- Asase Ya (Ashanti)
- Chiwara (Bambara)
- Duga (Bambara)
- Kianda (Luba)
- Ngai (Kikuyu and Maasai)
- Ozidi (Ijo)
- Sawar (Pygmy)
Gods of Agriculture:
- Asase Ya (Ashanti)
- Bobowissi (Akan)
- Kwase Benefo (Akan)
- Faro (Bambara)
- Kokh Kox (Serer)
- Tumbuka (Tumbuka)
- Wanga (Krachi)
Gods of the Hunt:
- Ogun (Yoruba)
- Osun (Yoruba)
- Ososi (Yoruba)
- Faran Baru Koda (Songhai)
- Fono (Songhai)
- Harakoy Dikko (Songhai)
- N’Debbi (Songhai)
Gods of the Sun:
- Ggulu (Baganda)
- Bayajida (Hausa)
- Kitaka (Baganda)
- Moussa Gname (Songhai)
- Moussa Nyawri (Songhai)
- Nana Miriam (Songhai)
- Umvelinqangi (Zulu)
Gods of the Moon:
- Njeddo Dewal (Fula)
- Irikoy (Songhai)
- Musisi (Sudika-Mbambi)
- Huveane (Venda)
- Nyadenga (Shona)
- Muisa (Nyanga)
- Katee (Nyanga)
Gods of Thunder:
- Sango (Yoruba)
- Shango (Yoruba)
- Xevioso (Loa)
- Guéno (Hausa)
- Ntangu (Kongo)
- God of River Nzadi (Na Ngutu)
- Kyirey (Fulani)
Gods of Fire:
- Agni (Vodou)
- Erinle (Yoruba)
- Bocoonde (Fulani)
- Celi (Fulani)
- Dandi (Fulani)
- Naange (Fulani)
- Takhar (Serer)
Gods of Medicine and Healing:
- Babalu Aye (Yoruba)
- Osanyin (Yoruba)
- Sakpata (Yoruba)
- Faroforondu (Bambara)
- Koumen (Fulani)
- Nounfayiri (Fulani)
- Mweri (Nyanga)
Gods of Magic:
- Eshu (Yoruba)
- Legba (Fon and Dahomey)
- Jengu (Sawa)
- Arebati (Pygmy)
- Khonvoum (Pygmy)
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Zombi (Lunda)
Gods of Wealth and Commerce:
- Aje (Yoruba)
- Gleti (Fon)
- Kibuka (Baganda)
- Lusunzi (Kongo)
- Kishi (Luba)
- Mamba Muntu (Kongo)
- Muisa (Nyanga)
Gods of Wisdom and Knowledge:
- Eshu (Yoruba)
- Orunmila (Yoruba)
- Maat (Ancient Egyptian)
- Mbantilanda (Kongo)
- Ntangu (Kongo)
- Kimanaueze (Kabundungulu)
- Ngai (Kikuyu and Maasai)
Gods of Protection:
- Agwu (Igbo)
- Erinle (Yoruba)
- Ogoun (Vodou)
- Chicamassichinuinji (Lunda)
- Na Ngutu (Kongo)
- Adroanzi (Lugbara)
- Mbura (Nuer)
Trickster Figures:
- Anansi (Akan)
- Legba (Fon and Dahomey)
- Eshu (Yoruba)
- Jengu (Sawa)
- Hlakanyana (Zulu)
- Sawar (Pygmy)
- Simbi (Kongo)
Goddesses of War:
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Mwindo (Nyanga)
- Oya (Yoruba)
- Nyaberi (Songhai)
- Nana Buluku (Loa)
- Ayaba (Loa)
- Nana (Ibeji)
Gods of Music and Dance:
- Erzulie (Vodou)
- Kokh Kox (Serer)
- Duga (Bambara)
- Owuo (Krachi)
- Lusunzi (Kongo)
- Muisa (Nyanga)
- Ntumba (Nyanga)
Gods of Love:
- Oshun (Yoruba)
- Erzulie (Vodou)
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Yemoja (Yoruba)
- Osun (Yoruba)
- Aganju (Yoruba)
- Mwari (Shona)
Gods of the Hunt:
- Ogun (Yoruba)
- Osun (Yoruba)
- Ososi (Yoruba)
- Faran Baru Koda (Songhai)
- Fono (Songhai)
- Harakoy Dikko (Songhai)
- N’Debbi (Songhai)
Gods of Agriculture:
- Asase Ya (Ashanti)
- Bobowissi (Akan)
- Kwase Benefo (Akan)
- Faro (Bambara)
- Kokh Kox (Serer)
- Tumbuka (Tumbuka)
- Wanga (Krachi)
Gods of Wisdom and Knowledge:
- Eshu (Yoruba)
- Orunmila (Yoruba)
- Maat (Ancient Egyptian)
- Mbantilanda (Kongo)
- Ntangu (Kongo)
- Kimanaueze (Kabundungulu)
- Ngai (Kikuyu and Maasai)
Gods of the Sea:
- Mami Wata (Yoruba, Dahomey, and other West African cultures)
- Olokun (Yoruba)
- Njuzu (Shona)
- Nyami Nyami (Shona)
- Simbi (Kongo)
- Gu (Fon)
- Sagbata (Yoruba)
Gods of Death and the Afterlife:
- Sagbata (Yoruba)
- Sakpata (Yoruba)
- Ayaba (Loa)
- Nana Buluku (Loa)
- Mamba Muntu (Kongo)
- Simbi dia Maza (Kongo)
- Lubangala (Kongo)
You can find a source of all the african mythology figures grouped by origin
west african myths and folktales
Traditional beliefs and folklore from West african countries:
Nigeria
Orisha: Orisha are spirits in the Yoruba religion, which is practiced in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa and the Americas. Each Orisha represents a specific aspect of nature and has its own characteristics and mythology.
Abiku: Abiku is a Yoruba term for a child believed to be born to die. Abiku children are believed to be possessed by malevolent spirits who want to take them back to the spirit world.
Egbere: Egbere are spirits in Yoruba mythology that are believed to protect their human devotees from harm.
Ogbanje: Ogbanje is a term used in Igbo mythology to refer to a type of malevolent spirit that is believed to repeatedly reincarnate into the same family, causing the death of each child shortly after birth.
Werehyenas: In some Nigerian cultures, werehyenas are shape-shifting humans who can turn into hyenas. They are believed to be witches or sorcerers who use their powers to terrorize and harm their communities.
Mami Wata: Mami Wata is a water spirit in Nigerian and other West African cultures. It is often depicted as a mermaid or serpent and is associated with beauty, wealth, and fertility.
Tortoise: The tortoise is a prominent character in Nigerian folklore and is often depicted as a wise and cunning figure who outsmarts other animals.
Ghana
Adze – A vampire-like creature from Ewe folklore that takes the form of a firefly.
Asasabonsam – A creature from Ashanti folklore that is said to live in the trees and resemble a vampire bat with metal teeth.
Obayifo – A type of witch or vampire that is said to be able to transform into an animal, such as a hyena, and suck blood from humans.
Anansi – A trickster spider from Akan folklore that is known for his cleverness and ability to outwit larger and stronger animals.
Benin
Aziza is a vodou spirit worshiped in the traditional religion of the Fon people in Benin. The Fon people make up the largest ethnic group in Benin, and their religion is known as Vodou, which is a fusion of traditional African religious practices and beliefs and the Catholicism brought by the European colonizers.
Cameroon
Jengu Jengu is a water spirit in the traditional beliefs of the Sawa people of Cameroon. The Sawa people live along the coasts and riverbanks of Cameroon, and the Jengu spirit is said to inhabit the waters, particularly the estuaries and mangrove swamps. The Jengu is often depicted as a mermaid or a fish-tailed woman, and is a powerful and benevolent spirit that can bring good fortune to those who worship her.
Niger
- Hira
- Zin
Mali:
- Nommos
Gambia:
- Ninki Nanka
Senegal:
- Yumboes
Folktales
The Scarecrow: A story about a young boy named Jack who befriends a scarecrow in a field. Jack learns that the scarecrow is more than just a lifeless object and together they embark on an adventure that leads to unexpected rewards.
The Wise Fool: A story about a man named Nasreddin who is known for his foolish actions that often lead to wise outcomes. In this particular tale, Nasreddin is able to outsmart a greedy landlord by pretending to not understand his instructions.
How Tortoise Won by Losing: A story about a race between Tortoise and Hare, where Tortoise uses his cunning to trick Hare and win the race. However, in the process, Tortoise loses his shell, making him vulnerable to predators.
The Elephant, the Tortoise and the Hare: A story where Tortoise and Hare once again have a race, but this time they are joined by Elephant. In the end, Tortoise wins the race by tricking Elephant and Hare.
The Snakebite Medicine: A story about a man named John who is bitten by a venomous snake. John’s mother sends him to several healers for a cure, but it is ultimately an old woman who gives him the right medicine to save his life.
A Mother’s Love: A story about a mother who goes to great lengths to protect her child. In this tale, a mother is able to rescue her son from a group of bandits by disguising him as a girl.