They contain and express the history, the culture and the inner experience of the African himself. Africans use myths to explain how things came to be through the efforts of a supernatural being. It is concrete and expresses life better than abstract thought can do.
What is African myth?
Unlike Western mythology, African myths are not recounted as a single narrative story, nor is there any established corpus of myth. Instead, myths are embedded and transmitted in ritual practice. African mythology commonly depicts the cosmos anthropomorphically.
What are the features of African mythology?
Features of West African mythology include:
- Mami Wata or Water Spirits.
- Abiku.
- Ogbanje.
- River Snake.
- Ancestral Spirits (This falls into religion and/or reincarnation belief systems as much as myth)
- Anansi or Trickster.
- Nifoya.
- Serer creation myth.
What is the purpose of mythology?
But myths are more than mere stories and they serve a more profound purpose in ancient and modern cultures. Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man’s experience. Myths are as relevant to us today as they were to the ancients. Myths answer timeless questions and serve as a compass to each generation.
What is the role of myths in a culture?
Myths, stories, legends, folklore, tall tales give valuable insights into how people perceive and think about their world. “Even when a culture no longer believes that its myths are true explanations, however, these stories often survive as receptacles of important cultural values” ( “Myth 284).
Who is the most powerful African god?
Nigeria. Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon. He casts a “thunderstone” to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him. Worshippers in Yorubaland in Nigeria do not eat cowpea because they believe that the wrath of the god of iron would descend on them.
Who was the African god?
The African mythology, rich in artistic fables and truth stories, offers a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Like Indian Brahma, Olorun (also known as Olodumare or Olofi) is the creator god who crafted the universe. Like Middle Eastern Baal, Chango is the god of thunder and storm.
Who is the African god of fire?
Shango is a God of fire, lightning and thunder. He is depicted holding a Double-Headed Axe.
What are the names of African gods?
Yoruba
- Aganju.
- Babalu Aye.
- Eshu.
- Elegua.
- Nana.
- Oba.
- Obatala.
- Ogun.
How many gods are there in African mythology?
Generally speaking, African religions hold that there is one creator God, the maker of a dynamic universe.
What are the 4 types of myths?
There are four basic theories of myth. Those theories are: the rational myth theory, functional myth theory, structural myth theory, and the psychological myth theory. The rational myth theory states that myths were created to explain natural events and forces.
What is the purpose of Greek mythology?
Mythology was at the heart of everyday life in Ancient Greece. Greeks regarded mythology as a part of their history. They used myth to explain natural phenomena, cultural variations, traditional enmities, and friendships.
How many gods are in mythology?
The thirteen gods and goddesses most commonly considered to be one of the twelve Olympians are listed below. King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus; god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order and justice.
What is an example of a myth?
In Western culture there are a number of literary or narrative genres that scholars have related in different ways to myths. Examples are fables, fairy tales, folktales, sagas, epics, legends, and etiologic tales (which refer to causes or explain why a thing is the way it is).
What are the elements of Greek mythology?
Most Greek myths include elements of fantasy, adventure, and violence, but they were not viewed by the Greeks as simply “exciting stories.” Many of them were used as “paradeigma” or education by example; others were warnings to human beings about behaviour the gods found unacceptable.
What is the importance of knowing mythology and folklore?
Myths and legends provide a basis for moral boundaries and establish the basic guidelines for the way people within a society live. As you learn about myths from around the world, you will find that many cultures have similar stories.