The Pantheon
An Illustration Interpretation of the African Deities, with brief historical/mythological bio. So often when thinking of mythology and legends, they're Greek, Roman or Anglo With the success of books like "Children of Blood and Bone" or "Daughters or Nri" I aim to bring knowledge of these still widely worshipped deities that are from different African cultures.
Nyame (Onyamekopon)
Switching it up a little bit and looking at a new pantheon, specifically from the Akan tribe of South Ghana.
Nyame is the name of the ‘omniscient Sky god’ And he is the creator of the animals and nature. The sun is in his right eye and the moon is his left. The tattoo on his arm is the traditional Adinkra symbol (google it for more info) called Gye Nyame meaning “except god” highlighting his supremacy and power.
“Ibeji” (Twins)
In Yoruba culture and spirituality, twins are believed to be magical, and are granted protection by the Orisha Shango.
The firstborn of the twins is known as Taiwo while the second one is called Kehinde. The second born twin is considered the elder twin; Taiwo is sent out by Kehinde first to judge if the world is safe and beautiful. Taiwo means "the first twin to taste the world.” Kehinde means "the second-born of the twins.
Did you know: The Yoruba people of Nigeria have the highest twin birth rate in the world?
“Follow Me”
Mami Wata is a water spirit that is popular among Africans, the Caribbean and African settlements in South America. She is popularly known for seducing and abducting people (specifically men) who are swimming or boating or in the seas. She takes her captured into the “spiritual realm” through the water and offers her followers good fortune and fertility and is often depicted to have mermaid like qualities. Yorubas call her Yemoja, Igbos call her Mmuommiri, in Haiti and DRC she’s called La Sirene, in Cuba and Brazil she goes by Yemanya and Yemonjá.
She’s also the STARBUCKS logo - the more you know
“Oya”
The Yoruba Goddess of rain, tornados, hurricanes and natural disasters, most of her powers are rooted in the natural world. She carries a whip which produces lightning and a strong winds, she is said to be soft and maternal and can quickly unpredictable, much like the winds.
She’s said to be the inspiration behind X-Men’s Storm
“Asase Yaa”
Is the Goddess of Nature and fertility in the Ashanti Tribe of Ghana, she is also considered the ‘creator Goddess’ who collects people’s souls at their time of death. She is married to Onyame and is the mother of Anansi - see other posts - her favoured people are field and agricultural workers as they nurture the lands.
The ‘tattoo’ I drew on her arm is is the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol for the divinity of Mother Earth.
This is another example of a deity that travelled with people during the transatlantic slave trade, many ending up in Suriname and Jamaica. Some slaves in Jamaica didn’t follow Christianity initially and kept some of their original traditions and prayed to Asase Yaa amongst others.
"Anansi"
This is one of my favourites so far! Anansi the Spider is one of the most famous African Folk tales coming straight out of Ghana
Anansi the Spider is the wise and powerful Trickster God - sometimes referred to as the God of Stories of the Akan people of South Ghana. He is most well known for his ability to outsmart and triumph over more powerful opponents through his use of cunning, creativity and wit.
His tales are still told in the West Africa and many West Indian Cultures, including Suriname, Jamaica, Haitian and more, these tales were carried with the slaves and stayed with colonies in the Caribbean islands.
Don’t know about yall, but Anansi the spider is the ONLY African Folklore I learned about in school.