African Mythology

African Culture As diverse as the continent is large Until Western interference

Less centralized Based on tribal affiliation

Regions Boarders are really

arbitrary Tribes do not fit into neat

packages like the countries

Zaire Currently the Democratic

Republic of Congo Home of the Bakuba and

Boshongo People Depended on fishing,

hunting, and crops Bantu speaking peoples

Benin Formerly known as Dahomey Home to the Fon people

Skilled in battle Enemies with the Yoruba Gods control individual

forces of nature Also home to the Yoruba

people Also live in Nigeria Identified with the city-state Principle city = Ife

Ghana Home to the Fasa or

Soninke people Located on the coast

2000 years old Fasa = aristocrats who

fight on horseback Legendary city =

Wagadu Responsible for 1st

African empire

Segu Currently a part of Mali Home to the Bambara

people Highly regimented

society socially Magic = important Strong ties to Muslim

culture

Deities Most regions have multiple

gods that may be grouped together by family relationships.

Almost all cultures recognize a supreme god – all powerful creator usually associated with the sky

Wooden headrest at right represents twins – special significance: balance between opposing forces that exist in natural world

Deities Number varies from culture

to culture Buganda – largest

pantheons of 20+ deities Sun, moon, earth often

seen as deities Congo River area –

forest is a deity Other spirits – ancestors,

rulers, heroes

Types of Myths How things came to be - creation Gods cross the seas Twins Tricksters Animals