African Mythology
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Written by Nicole Reith
African mythology developed over a long period of time of a million years in a vast continent of diverse landscapes and peoples. There existed minor trading contact with Southern Europe and West Asia yet the massive African continent remained remote and isolated especially in the interior and southern tip. There was no written African language until Islam spread westward in the 8th and 9th centuries and brought with it the Qu’ran. European Christian missionaries and trading agencies also brought with them the Holy Bible during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, these were of little influence compared with the strong and resilient oral tradition of story telling, which evolved and survived over generations. Story telling was a common past time and form of entertainment at the homestead and in the village. It gave the elders of the community an important role of educating the younger generation.
Most tribes acknowledged the existence of a supreme being and a variety of minor deities, gods, goddesses and spirits that link the supreme God in heaven with humankind on earth. Many stories were influenced largely by the different landscapes this continent has to offer. Tribes were ultimately dependant on the land for their survival and well being. Their myths reflect this strong connection and deep understanding of various natural landscapes such as deserts, jungles, hills, or flatlands. Myths also tell about origins of the people, natural cycles, animals, human condition, rulership, and historical events.
Creation myths give an understanding of how humans came into being. Many tribes believe they are direct descendants from the Gods. They feel this deep connection to their ancient ancestors. The creation myth of the Dogon tribe of Eastern Africa says that every human placenta is a replica of the placenta of the womb of Amma—the female Supreme Being who conceived the Universe. The egg within her represented heaven and divided into a double placenta that contained a pair of twins called Nommo. Each had male and female attributes with one being more dominant than the other. The male Nommo, named Ogo, forced his way out of the egg and traveled through space clutching a piece of the male placenta which became the earth. This separation created imbalance and impurity and Ogo realized he could not rule without his female twin. He has yet to find her and still he searches.
There are several myths about the creation of the cycle between night and day. The Kono people of Sierra Leone in Western Africa, say the creator deity provided light from the sun during the day and twilight from the moon at night so it would never be dark or cold. This deity asked a bat one night to take a basket of darkness to the moon. On its way, the bat grew tired and put down the basket to rest. Some animals discovered the basket and opened it, allowing the darkness to escape. Since then, bats sleep during the day to awaken at night to search for the darkness and continue this journey to the moon.
One story from Eastern Africa, a region of flatland where the skies are vast, explains about the sky god. In this region, seasonal patterns are powerful, oscillating between rainy river flood lands and the severe drying of the land. Songs and poems that give praise to this ancestral god-king are offered at sacred spots such as forked branches, rocks, small mud constructed Altars and in pots. These pastoral Nilotic people believe the earth and sky were joined by a rope that dangled just low enough so man could reach and grab it. The first humans could move between the two, accessing the sky god himself.
People who live near major water courses, lakes and the sea have important stories regarding water spirits. Life comes from water and these narratives are often about birth and fertility. Women gather at these waterways to drink and bathe. They seek advice and consolation from the beautiful goddess priestess, Ogbuide, who resides beneath the water and is rarely ever seen. In all regions, marriage and motherhood is the realization of identity for women. To be childless in marriage is a grave problem. Offerings are given so these water spirits ensure the family lineage continues. Women sing songs of praise and joy for childbearing or sadness for a barren woman. There are rituals and myths for each stage of a women’s life. Initiation rites at puberty educate young girls about the responsibilities of womanhood.
Death also has its own explanation through mythological stories. The Creator sent two messengers, a chameleon and a lizard, each with an opposite message. The chameleon carried the message that humans would live eternally. However, the lizard arrived first, bringing the message of death as the fate of humankind. The concept of death can also be explained by the natural cycle of the waxing and waning of the moon or by how the snake casts his skin. In Liberia the Creator, “Sno-Nyosa,” sent four sons to earth. When he ordered their return they refused to obey. Even the earth wanted them to stay, thus began a quarrel. Death did not exist before this quarrel occurred.
Myths involving animals often depict moral tales and are often about the faults, weaknesses, and strengths of people. They also tell the heroic and empowering stories of the people who capture them. Just as different landscapes determine which gods exist for people of a particular region, different animals are prone to living in certain environments. The chameleon and lizard are popular characters in many areas. The snake is also a common metaphorical subject. When the snake appears in dreams it brings spiritual guidance. By accepting it, the recipient is blessed with good fortune. The elephant is so enormous that it can only be defeated by magic. Elephants represent human chiefs from the past, so when one is found dead, it is given a proper burial.
Most tribes are headed by divine kingship representing the power of the Supreme Being. These divine kings embody mystical powers and are greatly revered, awed and feared. These powers can give stability to social structures, as the king shares the same origin as the people themselves.
From the Zulu tribe of South Africa, the son of a deity was exiled from heaven for stealing his father’s favorite white cow. He was lowered from heaven through a hole in the sky by an umbilical cord. He was later sent a wife by his father and thus started the Zulu nation. The Ankole people from Uganda teach the importance of cows and protecting the milk pots. The Supreme Being, “Ruhanga” descended to rule the land and bore three sons. He needed to test them to determine the future heir of the society. The sons were required to leave untouched their pot of milk for an entire night. One son spilt his pot and the brothers helped to refill it. Another fell asleep and knocked his pot over losing all its contents. This trial determined the divisions of the people in this society, giving birth to the servants, the herdsman, and the future heir of the kingdom.
Heroic stories blend mythology with factual events in history. South Africa experienced two hundred years of struggle over land and resources. These stories tell about the suffering, defeats, gaining victories, and massive migrations of the people. The powerful Zulu hero and military leader, “Shaka,” triumphed over the British in 1879 and enlarged the Zulu Kingdom.
Social and secular circumstances give play to trickster stories that can be entertaining and humorous. Human character and weakness is revealed. They can demonstrate social interactions, the misuse of power and unfortunate tragedies. They are also admired for their unconventional behavior.
Myths and stories often give messages that are relevant to people of all times. Still to this day many African tribes remain isolated in rugged regions of the land where they barely notice any impact of modernization. These people maintain much of the traditional religion and mythology that continues the link to their ancient origins.