Content in

Myth

Explore all our related content

Articles about

Myth

Tales of the Rimi

The Rimi, a tree that houses spirits?

Justice from the Beyond: The Alekwu Tradition of the Idoma Tribe

Before the advent of modern law enforcement and judiciary systems, the Idoma tribe of Nigeria sought justice and guidance from their ancestral spirit, Alekwu, who is believed to ensure justice, peace, fairness, and prosperity. The Alekwu tradition is deeply rooted in their culture and is celebrated annually during the Eje-Alekwu festival, to honour the ancestral spirit.

Variations of the Myth of Mami Wata

The illustrious Mami Wata is a deity of great reach and many different faces. This article dives into the waters she visited and takes a look at the regional variations of her myth.

Ogbanje

This article dives deep into the Ogbanje myth in Igbo culture, exploring how it spiritually affects families and helps them cope with infant mortality. It celebrates the myth's cultural richness, symbolic depth, and its portrayal in literature and scholarly discussions.

A Queen's Fury, a Kingdom's Blessing: The Unveiling of Owo's Igogo Festival, Ondo State

This article gives insight into the mythology of Queen Oronse and the birth of the Igogo Festival of the Owo People, in Ondo State, Nigeria

A' Ko: Gbagyi Ancestral Gods

A'ko is an ancestral spirit, venerated as a god by the Gbagyi people. Gbagyi is one among the many ethnic groups that are domiciled in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, spilled within the North Central States of Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa as well as Abuja, the nation's capital and also in the Northwestern State of Kaduna.

Sarkin Ruwa: Mouth of the Marine Spirits

Northern Nigeria before the advent of Islam practiced some form of animism, called Maguzanci or Bori. The belief is such that spirits exist among us and the practice of adorcism, which involves the traditions of music, dance, and other ritualistic practices that will invoke these spirits and cause them to possess persons. Spirits are invoked to possess people with the belief that they grant healing, fertility, strength, foresight, invincibility, knowledge, and understanding, among other supernatural gifts.

Glimpsing The Secrets Behind Zuma Rock's Stony Stare

Zuma Rock, one of the most famous landmarks in Nigeria is known for its conspicuous face silhouette. In this article, we delve into the myths and legends surrounding this iconic rock.

The Seven Wonders of Ado-Awaye Town in Oyo State.

This article gives an interesting insight of the seven wonders of Ado-Awaye town in Oyo State, Nigeria

THE MYTHOLOGY SURROUNDING IDANRE HILL: A TALE FROM from IDANRE TOWN, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

This article features the Idanre town and the beautiful Idanre hill. It describes and explain the beauty and the mythology of the Idanre Hill.

ABIKU: THE YORUBA CONCEPT OF SPIRIT CHILDREN

The article delves into the myth and concept of the Yoruba spirits called, Abiku, (born to die). By exploring cultural concepts and modern perspectives, the article aims to shed more light on one of Africa's most enigmatic phenomenon.

The Mythology Of The Efik People

This is an article that explores the rich mythology of the Efik people as well as their culture and tradition. It gives a narrative of their creation story, deity, mythical creatures, providing deep knowledge into their beliefs and values.

The Bultungin (Were-hyena)

This is a story about one of the most powerful mythological creatures in Africa.

The Tribe that Worships Twins

The story is about the Yoruba people in Southwestern Nigeria who revere twins as magical beings representing fertility and prosperity. Twins are associated with an Orisa named Ibeji, and the Yoruba tradition includes creating a replica if one twin passes away. Twins are named Taiwo and Kehinde, with Kehinde considered the firstborn in the spiritual world. The Yoruba society celebrates twins as a source of great joy and good fortune, and some towns, like Igbo-Ora, are known for an unusually high number of twin births.

The Role of Spirits and Ancestral Spirits in Igbo Mythology: Guardians of Tradition and Identity

The essay explores the belief in spirits and ancestral spirits in Igbo mythology, highlighting their roles and interactions with the living. It emphasizes the enduring significance of these spiritual entities in Igbo culture, fostering a sense of connection, guidance, and unity within the community.

Obatala: The Creator and Wisdom Keeper in Yoruba Mythology

The article is about the Yorùbá God, Obatala, his influence, role, origin.

The Mythical Journey of Oya: An Exploration of African Mythology

This essay explores the mythological journey of Oya, analyzing her significance, defining characteristics and cultural influences.

Plantain: The Staple Food That Every Nigerian Loves

Temmy, a lover of fried plantain ("dodo"), had a bittersweet Sunday. Excited about a new movie series, she fried plantains to enjoy with it but got distracted and burned her hand. Despite the pain, she found comfort in eating the fried plantains and continued to cherish her obsession with this versatile Nigerian snack, which is loved by many due to its sweetness and rich nutrients like iron, Vitamins A, C, and B6, potassium, and magnesium.

Yoruba Orishas: Embracing the Uniqueness and Confronting Misunderstandings in a Changing Religious Landscape

The uniqueness of Yoruba orishas lies in their multifaceted nature, moral teachings, and connection to nature and human experiences. However, due to the influence of Abrahamic religions, they have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and demonized. Recognizing and appreciating their complexity is vital for intercultural understanding and preserving Yoruba cultural heritage. Embracing religious diversity and interfaith dialogue can foster a more inclusive and respectful society, enabling a genuine appreciation of Yoruba spirituality.

Olodumare: The Supreme Creator in Nigerian Mythology

Nigeria's rich cultural heritage includes myths, legends, and folklore. The Yoruba myth of creation, "Olodumare and the Seven Orishas," reflects Yoruba cosmology, philosophy, and cultural values, emphasizing cooperation, diversity, and community. It portrays Olodumare as the supreme god and the Seven Orishas as intermediaries between humans and the divine. This myth provides insight into Yoruba traditions and beliefs, highlighting their reverence for creativity, wisdom, and protection.

Deities in igboland: From myth to culture

The origin of the Igbo people is rooted in their culture and religion, which involve the worship of deities like Chukwu, Ala, Chi, Amadioha, Ikenga, Idemmili, Ekwensu, and Anyanwu. These deities play important roles in their lives and rituals. Despite the adoption of Christianity, the worship of deities still persists in Igbo culture, shaping their beliefs and practices. Popular festivals are held to honor these gods, such as the New Yam Festival dedicated to Ahiajoku and Ala. Christianity may dominate, but the reverence for deities remains in the Igbo tradition.

Pick your tree

One of the tallest trees of the forest, it is used as a fake teak for its close qualities. But one thing the teak definitively does not have, shutting it in the great timber wood, is its language. Yes, the Iroko can talk.

Anansi: A Metaphor for Wisdom in African Myth

Anansi, a trickster figure from Ghanian mythology is often depicted as a spider who uses his intelligence and cunning to outsmart his opponents and achieve his goals.

The Symbolism of Spirits and Ghosts in African Folklore

African folklore is rich with stories of spirits and demons. These supernatural beings are said to inhabit various aspects of the natural world and can take many different forms.

From Myth to Identity: The Habe Maguzawa Myth and the Formation of Kano City's Cultural Landscape

Kano city, located in northern Nigeria, is one of the oldest and most significant cities in the country's history. Its socio-cultural identity has been shaped by a variety of factors, including its history, traditions, and myths.

Rain Makers in Africa: The Art and Practice of Controlling the Elements

Africa has a rich history of spiritual and cultural beliefs, with a central focus on the elements of nature. One of the most intriguing practices is that of the Rain Maker, a person with the ability to control the weather and bring forth rain in times of drought.

The Man-Eating Tree of Madagascar: Myth or Fact?

In 1874,a German traveler, Karl Leche, sent a letter to newspapers across the United States and Europe. His letter gave vivid details of a tree he came across in Madagascar, an island on the east coast of Africa, and how that tree consumes humans, so much that the Mkodo tribe people made human sacrifices to said tree.

Òrìsà: The Forgotten Heroes

In any case, attention should be awarded to how we tell our stories so that they can garner the attention of incoming generations. If drastic actions are not taken, our cultural heritages and our pristine identities may not recover from this slippery slide and unguarded free fall into the bin of forgotten history.

The Tale of Anansi and Nothing

A folktale about 'Anansi', the legendary Ghanian god.

Sàngó and His Wives

Sàngó, also known as Changó or Xangô in Latin America; and as Jakuta or Badé is an Orisha, a deity in Yoruba religion. He is a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third Alaafin of the Oyo Kingdom prior to his posthumous deification.

Conversations with A Mermaid

An account of an encounter with a Mami-Wata aka Mermaid

Raffia On Fire

A retelling of the 'Queen Moremi' folktale about a legendary Yoruba queen.

The Ugandan Law Concerning Fortune-Tellers

The events in this folktale led to a new custom in Uganda in the old days; but now there is a new law, and no one may go to a witchdoctor at all, and if the police find a man telling fortunes they take him to prison. But still some people are naive enough to go in secret, and have their fortunes told, even though they know this story.

Death and The King

An entertaining fiction piece about masquerades.

The Myth of Bayajida

The Hausa myth of Bayajida accounts for the origin of the Hausa. As a wanderer, he came to a place currently called Borno. He was noted for his intelligence and bravery to the extent that the king gave him his daughter’s hand in marriage.

The Tale of a Mystery Mat

Growing up, I heard tales of the famous Bush Baby from the older boys in my village that attended the only boarding school in the whole of the district. Whenever they returned home for the holidays, they always had stories and adventures to tell the smaller boys who hoped to be like them someday.

Essay on The Deities of Efik Tradition: Ndem Efik Ebrutu

Efik history traces the origin of Ndem worship to their god’s basin (usan Abasi) which tradition says was a sacred companion of the Iboku people from their oriented home. All through their migrations and sojourn among known and unknown host communities, the Iboku people remained attached to their “usan Abasi” before which they presented requestsof all nature.

Àyànmò [Predestination]

This tale explores the concept of àyànmò (predestination).

Kachi's Odyssey - Of Myths and Mermaids (Literary Competition Winner 2021)

This fiction story is coined from a non-written tale of water beings, the unsure trait of treachery and wickedness they possess. And the possibility that a man could be sacred to Ngene.

Monyohe: A South African Folktale

The essence of this folktale does not only lie in its entertaining abilities, but in its educating dimensions as virtues are rewarded, truth is vindicated and vices are punished.

Jinns in Northern Nigeria

Jinns are simply spirits that were known to have been created by God himself according to the Islamic religion. Although they possess supernatural powers which are apparently not inclusive rights of human beings such as strength, invisibility, teleportation, trickery and transformation, Jinns are parallel to humans in an extra-terrestrial plane and, like humans, they possess the ability to eat, drink, and marry and the freewill to choose between good and evil.

Yèmọja

With the forced migration brought about by majorly the Atlantic slave trade, Yemoja possesses many names and is worshiped in different religions and forms across various regions by afro-descendants all over the world.

Olúrónbí

The folktale and nursery rhyme, Olúrónbí

Ori & Olajumoke - Nigerian Folktale

A recollection of the Ori & Olajumoke myth

Gipir and Labongo

A journey into the Acholi and Alur story - Ugandan Folklore

The Story of Kintu - Ugandan Folktale

The Ugandan folktale about Kintu, Uganda's first man and his meeting with Nambi.

The Wisdom of African Proverbs

Explore the rich tapestry of African wisdom through timeless proverbs that resonate with life's lessons. In this enlightening journey, discover the cultural gems that offer profound insights and guidance. Join us as we delve into "The Wisdom of African Proverbs," celebrating the continent's enduring oral traditions. Unearth a world of knowledge and inspiration in each carefully crafted phrase.

The Ishi Tradition

Holla Listeners, in this episode, we delve into a Marital Tradition evident in the south-south region of Nigeria, Delta State precisely. This tradition forbids a woman from cheating on her husband and it is practiced mainly by the Aniomas, Isokos, and Urhobos of Delta State. A woman married to a man from any of these places is forbidden to have sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband. Failure to adhere to this tradition results in severe consequences for the woman and her family as she will bring a curse upon her household. Hit play to listen now! Remember to share, comment and subscribe!

Mutu: The Practice of Attaching Humans to Animals

Did you know that there’s a practice in Northern Nigeria when animals are linked/attached to humans spiritually? It is believed that this attachment is a payment/sign of being thankful to someone who has done something great for you and there’s literally no way to pay this person back monetarily. It is also believed that someone who is successfully attached will gain super-human abilities, enabling the person to live longer, stronger, or in some cases, faster, depending on the animal that person is attached to. Fascinating right? Hit play to listen! Remember to share, comment and subscribe!

The Mythology of Twinhood in Yorubaland

The Mythology of Twinhood in Yorubaland, Nigeria, is an important aspect of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba believe in the concept of twinning and the special significance of twins in their culture, which is expressed in their art, songs, and religious beliefs. This mythology holds that twins are believed to be gifted with special powers and a unique connection to the divine, and they are often seen as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Hit the play button to listen, and do not forget to comment and share with friends.

Popular Superstitions and Myths in Africa

Africa has a rich history of superstitions and myths that vary from region to region. One popular belief is that certain animals, like snakes, crocodiles, and owls, have mystical powers and are connected to the spiritual. Additionally, there are many taboos surrounding the behavior and reaction of an average person in certain scenarios or places in African culture and tradition. Superstitions and myths continue to be an integral part of African societies. It is safe to say that it’s a part of us. Listen. Enjoy. Share. Comment

The Story of the Goddess Nana Buluku

The goddess Nana Buluku is an important figure in West African mythology, particularly in the spiritual beliefs of the Fon people of Benin and the Yoruba people of Nigeria. This ancient myth has been passed down from generation to generation, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Fon people shaping their beliefs and traditions. Interesting right? Listen to this episode as Florent takes us on this ride.

Anansa: The Calabar Goddess of the Sea

Goddesses are known to be beautiful and powerful, is the Goddesses Anansa going to be any different? Listen now as Maryann shares more insight on the Calabar Goddess, Anansa.

The Myth of Bayajidda

Bayajidda is the mythological hero in the tale of the Hausa Kingdoms’ origin. The story has multiple versions, but that said, is Bayajida a myth or a legend? On this episode our guest; Shamsudeen gives us an interesting breakdown sharing the story of Bayajida.

Nigerian Boarding School Tales

For as long as I can remember, horror myths have always been a common thing in Nigerian boarding schools. No one can tell the originator of these myths but they may have started as rumors and over the years or maybe they are real myths. These myths have been told in different versions and it seems like every boarding school has a spectacular narration of each one of them. Listen to this interesting episode as our guests; Renny and Muminah share their experiences in boarding schools.

Renny & Muminah

Voodoo vs Hoodoo

There is a major difference that lies between what Hoodoo defines, and what Voodoo defines. Voodoo is the religion, or belief system, Hoodoo, on the other hand, is the magic that has derived from the teachings of Voodoo, which was originally a part of Voodoo.

The Story of Kintu and Other Common Threads in African Mythology

Kintu is a mythological figure who appears in a creation myth of the Baganda people of Buganda, Uganda. According to this legend, Kintu was the first person on earth and the first man to wander the plains of Uganda alone.

Anansi: The Trickster god

Anansi the trickster is a West African God. He often takes the shape of a spider and is considered to be the god of all knowledge of stories.

Jinns in Northern Nigeria

In this episode, we speak to Fatima about jinns in Northern Nigeria.

African Folktales, Folklore and More

In this episode, Sesi, Haleemah and Imisi discuss African folktales and folklore, their similarities and differences and adaptations in popular culture.

Latest content in your mailbox

cancel

Search articles and podcasts