There are many African Gods and Goddesses but most African cultures, if not all, believe in a Supreme Creator in one form or another. An African GOD behind The African Gods and Goddesses, a SUPREME African God who created everything. The Supreme African God is thought to have once lived on Earth, but left it for His Kingdom in the Heavens because of human imperfection. Because he was no longer in direct contact with the people, Lesser African Gods and Goddesses were created directly from His power to do certain jobs that were given to them. These Lesser African Gods and Goddesses are the Gods and Goddesses of Earth, The Rains, Water, The Winds, Fire, etc.
These African Gods and Goddesses are capable of answering human prayers by use of their own power and can intercede on man’s behalf with the Creator Himself. Although The Supreme Creator is usually referred to by him etc. it is beyond sex, being both male and female. It has no form and is thought of in an abstract way. It is available to any human, regardless of their position. A breath of Its Divine Being is within all animate and inanimate things.
It is known as Mulungu (East Africa), Leza (Central Africa), Nyambe (West Tropics), Nyame (Ghana), Nkulunkulu (South Africa) the Molder, Giver of Breath and Souls, God of Destiny, One Who Exists of Himself, God of Pity and Comfort, the Inexplicable, Ancient of Days, the One Who Bends Even Kings, the One You Meet Everywhere, etc.
Among many tribes, the creation of the Earth took four days. The fifth day was reserved for worshipping the Orisha Nla (Chief of the Deities), who actually created the Earth with the instruction and aid of the Supreme Creator. The Orisha Nla was also given the task of creating bodies out of clay. When this was complete the Supreme Creator secretly placed the spark of life within the forms. These newly created humans were then placed on the Earth to live.
In Zulu Culture, they believe that Nkulunkulu (The Supreme Creator) came from a big bang and that the The Orisha Nla, or in this case – Ninavanhu-Ma, an African Goddess made of living silver, created the cosmos and together with a collosal sentient baobab creature mothered and fathered all the forms of life on the planet.
This particular creation myth has been turned into a comic book. Click on the button below for a sneak peak of The Tree of Life Trilogy
Here is a list of the most prominent African Gods and Goddesses from the African Continent:
Ninavanhu-Ma:
Ma is the African Creator Goddess who brought order to the cosmos. She was made of living silver and together with her Baobab Tree Creature Husband brought forth life into the world.
Oshun:
Oshun has her origin in Yoruba, and she is the African Goddess of sweet and freshwaters. She always has a mirror to admire her beauty. Oshun is revered by many for her abilities to heal the sick, foster prosperity, and bring fertility. The image of this African goddess is represented by a stunning, charming, and coquettish young lady. Oshun means sweetness, joy, beauty, and good cheer.
Oya:
She is a ferocious and protective African Goddess worshipped by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, as well as some Brazilians. Oya is wife to Shango, the African God of storms. Oya is the African Goddess of wind, thunderbolts and fire; she has the power to transform gentle breezes into raging hurricanes or cyclones. It is believed that this African Goddess accompanies her husband during his thunderstorms to destroy buildings, blow things up, and rip up trees. Due to her prowess, Oya brings down dead wood to give room for new. Additionally, she is the guardian of the gates of death, as she helps the dead in their transition from life.
Ala:
Ala is one of the oldest African Goddesses. Her name ‘Ala’ means earth in English, demonstrating her power over the planet. Ala is the African Goddess of fertility, creativity, land, and morality. She is the wife of Amadioha, the African God of the sky. This African Goddess is honored and celebrated during the yearly yam festival. When angered, Ala will convince her husband to deny rain to the people and can also cause other natural disasters.
Yemaya:
Yemaya is considered the mother of all since she is the African Goddess of the Living Ocean. All life is believed to have started in the sea. Yemaya is motherly and protective of all her kids, comforting them and cleansing away all their sorrows. It is thought she can cure infertility in women, and the cowrie shells symbolize her wealth. Yemaya is an African Goddess that is not easily angered, but when she does, she is as destructive as the sea during a storm.
Modjaji:
Modjaji is the South African Goddess of rain whose spirits live in the body of a young woman. She is considered a key figure by the Balodedu people, as she can start and stop the rain. This African Goddess has been around for the longest time, and it was only in the 16th century that her spirit decided to dwell in a woman.
Nana Buluku:
Nana Buluku is a prominent African Goddess famous in most West African nations. She also has different names in various tribes. Nana Buluku is worshipped as the mother African Goddess. Her image is that of an older woman who is thought to be the creator of the world.
Abena:
Known as the African river goddess, Abena shields children and looks after them as adults as she perceives her believers as her children. Her name is associated with gold, brass, as well as with other wealth symbols.
Oduda:
Oduda is among the African Goddesses venerated by the North-West African community in Benin, Yoruba, and Dahomey. Her name Oduda means ‘the black one,’ and her appearance is that of a serpent. Oduda is the African Goddess behind sacred prostitution that is practiced in the Caribbean Islands.
Inkosazana:
Inkosazana, which means ‘lady heaven,’ is a prominent and adored African Goddess of the Zulu community in South Africa. She is thought to be responsible for corn, one of the vital dietary supplements in the Zulu tribe.
Age-Fon:
Other than the African Goddesses, there are African Gods that cannot go unmentioned. Age–Fon is an African God in Benin, whose power and fame goes as far back to the Dahomey Empire. He is the son of the African Creator Goddess Mawu-Lisa. Age can protect and lead hunters in their hunting expeditions, whether at night or during the day. Besides, he also guides and safeguards his tribesmen in times of battles and wars. It is alleged that this African God replenishes his energy and power from his mother. His image is that of a young man wearing hunter’s clothing. To honor Age-Fon, hunters sacrifice to him fleshy parts of the animals they hunt.
Kibuka:
Kibuka is the African God of war in the Buganda Empire kingdom. It is believed that Kibuka has been with Buganda’s since the 9th century, even before the arrival of the Europeans in the country. After the Bugandan military encountered many defeats, its king met with the Creator, Mukasa, to seek help to defeat his enemies. It is here that Mukasa gave them his younger brother Kibuka to be their African God of war. Before embarking on any battle, the army would sing, dance, and offer sacrifices to Kibuka. Kibuka would then go ahead of the warriors to clear their paths and ensure their victory.
Adroa:
Adroa is a fascinating African God of death for the Lugbara community in Uganda and Congo. He has two characteristics of good and evil. Due to his duality, Adroa’s body is divided into two. One of the parts is short and black, symbolizing evil, while the other is tall and white, signifying goodness. Adroa will manifest himself to people in any form that fits the situation at hand. It is also believed that this African God appears to individuals before they die.
Some lesser African Gods and Goddesses:
Adroa
Other Names: “God in the sky”, God on Earth”, Creator God, River God.
Location: The Lugbara of Zaire and Uganda.
Description: He is pictured as tall and white with only half of his body visible.
Rules Over: Social order, law, death.
Akuj
Location: The Turkana of Kenya.
Rules Over: Divination.
Ala
Other Names: Ale, Ane.
Location: The Ibo of Nigeria.
Description: Extremely popular African Goddess and Earth Mother. She is a Creator Goddess and Queen of the Dead.
Rules Over: Community laws, morality, oaths, harvest.
Anayaroli
Location: The Temne.
Description: African River Goddess.
Rules Over: Wealth.
Asa
Other Names: African Father God, “the strong lord.”
Location: Akamba of Kenya.
Rules Over: Mercy, help, surviving the impossible.
Asase
Other Names: Yaa, Aberewa, Efua, “Old Woman Earth.”
Location: The Ashanti of West Africa.
Description: African Goddess of creation of humans and receiver of them at death.
Rules Over: Cultivation, harvest.
Behanzin
Location: West Africa.
Description: African Fish God.
Cagn
Location: South Central Africa among the Bushman.
Description: Creator God.
Rules Over: Sorcery and Shape-Shifting.
Chiuta
Other Names: Mulengi, Mwenco, Wamtatakuya Tumbuka.
Description: Creator God, African Rain God. He is self-created and omniscient.
Rules Over: Rain, help, plant growth, food.
Chuku
Other Names: Chineke.
Location: The Ibo of East Nigeria.
Description: “The first great cause”, “Creator”, Father of Ale, African Earth God. Offerings and sacrifices were done for him in groves.
Rules Over: Help, goodness.
Danh
Location: Dahomey.
Description: African Snake God. A rainbow snake shown with tail in his mouth.
Rules Over: Wholeness, unity.
En-Kai
Other Names: Parsai, Emayian.
Location: Masai.
Description: African God of the Sky. Grass is burnt in rituals for him.
Rules Over: Rain, vegetation, blessings.
Gauna
Other Names: Gawa, Gawama.
Location: Among the Bushmen.
Description: This African God of Death, leads the spirits of the deceased.
Rules Over: Disruption, harassment, death.
Ge
Location: Dahomey.
Description: Moon God.
Gu
Location: The Fon of West Africa.
Rules Over: War, smiths.
Guruhi
Location: Gambia.
Description: Evil African God. Meteors are his signals.
Rules Over: Power and death over enemies.
Heitsi-Eibib
Location: The Hottentots.
Description: Sorcerer God.
Rules Over: Shape-shifting, magick.
Imana
Other Names: Hategekimana, Hashakimana, Habyarimana, Ndagijimana, Bigirimana, “Almighty God.”
Location: The Banyarwands.
Rules Over: Power, goodness, children, planning.
Ison
Other Names: Eka Obasi, Obasi Nsi, Ibibio, Ekoi.
Location: West Africa.
Description: Tortoise-shelled African Goddess.
Rules Over: Fertility of the Earth.
Jok
Other Names: Jok Odudu, Alur.
Location: Uganda and Zaire.
Description: African God of Fertility. Black goats were to be sacrificed to him when rain was needed.
Rules Over: Rain.
Juok
Other Names: Shilluk, Supreme African God.
Location: White Nile.
Description: Created all men on Earth.
Kaka-Guia
Other Names: Nyami.
Location: The Volta areas.
Description: He brought souls to the Supreme African God.
Katonda
Other Names: Lissoddene, Kagingo, Ssewannaku, Lugaba, Ssebintu, Nnyiniggulu, Namuginga, Ssewaunaku, Gguluddene, Namugereka.
Location: The Ganda of East Africa.
Descriptiojn: African God of creation.
Rules Over: Help, Judgment, aid when the odds are against you, control over spirits, divination, oracles.
Kwoth
Location: The Nuer of South Sudan.
Description: African God of Spirit.
Rules Over: Nature, help, compassion, judgement.
Leza
Location: Dahomey.
Description: Chameleon God/dess.
Rules Over: Protection, divination.
Mbaba Mwana Waresa
Location: The Zulu of Natal.
Description: African Goddess of Rainbows.
Rules Over: Rainbows, rain, crops, cultivation, beer.
Mawu
Location: Dahomey.
Description: Supreme African Goddess, creator of all things. Mawu is worshipped by The Fon of Benin in West Africa as a Moon Goddess and creator of everything.
Mukuru
Location: Macouas of Zambesi, Banayis.
Description: Supreme African God, creator of everything.
Rules Over: Agriculture, architecture, the harvest.
Mungo
Location: Giryama of Kenya.
Description: African God of Rain.
Rules Over: Rain. Hail, Wind.
`Nenaunir
Other Names: The Rainbow Snake.
Location: Masai of Kenya.
Description: An Evil African Storm God who resides in the clouds. A malevolent entity.
Rules Over: Storms.
`Ngai
Location: Masai.
Description: African God of Creation.
Rules Over: Life and Death.
Ngami
Description: African Moon Goddess.
Nyambi
Other Names: Nyambe.
Location: The Barotse of Upper Zambesi.
Description: African God of the Desert.
Nyame
Location: The Twi of West Africa.
Description: Great African God who prepared the soul to be reborn on the physical plane and gave out its fate.
Rules Over: Fate.
Nyamia Ama
Location: Senegal.
Description: African God of storms, rain and lightning. Resides in the sky.
Rules Over: Storms, rain, lightning.
Nzambi
Location: The Bankongo of the Congo.
Description: Great African Goddess who responsible for Justice and Punishment.
Rules Over: Justice.
Ogun
Other Names: Ogoun.
Location: The Nago and Yoruba of West Africa.
Description: African God of iron and warfare.
Rules Over: Iron, warfare, removing difficulties, smoothing the path to a desired result, Justice, Smiths, Hunters, Barbers, Goldsmiths, Steel.
Olorun
Other Names: Olofin-Orun, Olodumare.
Location: Yoruba.
Description: African God of Destiny.
Rules Over: Truth, control of the Elements, Forsight, Victory when the odds are against you, Destiny.
Rock-Sens
Location: The Serer of Gambia.
Description: African God of the Heavens.
Rules Over: Rain, Thunder, Lightning.
Rugaba
Other Names: Ruhanga, Kazooba, Mukameiguru.
Location: Ankore of Uganda.
Description: African Goddess of the Sun.
Rules Over: Life, healing, death, sickness, judgement.
Ruhanga
Location: Banyoro.
Description: African God of Prosperity.
Rules Over: Fertility, abundance, children, animals, harvest, health, sickness, death, judgement, rebirth.
Sakarabru
Location: Agni of Guinea.
Description: African God of Darkness who is strongest during the main phases of the Moon. Swift to punish wrongful deeds.
Rules Over: Medicine, justice, retribution.
Shango
Other Names: Schango.
Location: Yoruba of Nigeria.
Description: African God of Thunder. Carries a double-headed axe much like the nordic Thorr.
Rules Over: Thunder, Storm, War, Magick.
Soko
Location: Nupe of north Nigeria.
Description: African Creator God.
Rules Over: Control of the Elements, Witchcraft, Communication with the Deceased.
Tilo
Location: Mozambique.
Description: African God of the Sky.
Rules Over: Sky, Thunder, Rain.
Unkulunkulu
Other Names: Nkulnkulu.
Location: The Amazulu and Ndebele of Zimbabwe.
Description: Supreme African God.
Rules Over: Fertility, organization, order.
Utixo
Location: The Hottentots.
Description: African God who speaks with a voice of thunder.
Rules Over: Rain, Storms, Thunder, Harvest, Rebirth.
Wele
Other Names: Khakaba, Isaywa.
Location: Abaluyia, Bantu.
Description: “The High One”. Sky God, Creator God.
Rules Over: Rain, storms, lightning, creation, prosperity, harvest, celestial phenomena.
Were
Location: Luo of Kenya.
Description: Great God, Father God, Creator God.
Rules Over: Birth, Death, Nature, Judgement.
White Lady
Location: Tassali of the Sahara.
Description: African Goddess of Agriculture.
Rules Over: Agriculture, fertility.
Xevioso
Location: West Africa.
Description: African God of fire.
Rules Over: Thunder, rain, fertility.
Ymoja
Location: Yoruba.
Description: African River Goddess.
Rules Over: Women, children.