A Dictionary of African Mythology - Articles

373 total articles

A Dictionary of African Mythology is a trove of 400 African myths, from rain-stones from God to Wuni, the god who destined men to always have to chase women. The author, Harold Scheub, who has devoted his career to researching and teaching in Africa, brings each myth to life with his lively prose.

Recently added articles from A Dictionary of African Mythology:

Zra Creates Death

Zong Midzi and the Quest for Immortality

Zobeyo Mebee and the Forbidden Basket

Zimu and the Message of Life

Zambi and Zelo and the Knowledge of Fire

Zambe Creates the Races

Yo, the Creative Spirit

Yataa Puts Darkness in a Hamper

Xu in a Two-Storied House in the Sky

Wuni Prohibits Intercourse

Wulbari and the Bird That Liked Human Flesh

Woot Takes Language from the Fly, the Tortoise, and the Dog

Winnam Creates Four Brothers

Wele Supports Heaven with Pillars

Wele and the House in the Air

We Moves Higher into the Sky

Wantu Sus Nephew and the Drum

Wanjiru Sinks into the Earth, and Rain Falls

Wan Dyor and the Stone That Became Human

Wamara and the End of the Chwezi

Walumbes Fatal Admonition

Wala Sends the First People Down

Waka and the Message of Life

Wainaba, the Serpent Ruler

Waga (Waqa) and the First Man

Wac and the Rope to the Sky

Vere Learns to Make Fire

Urezhwas Wife Is Buried

Unumbotte and the Origin of Languages

Ukwa and the Women from the River

Ture Brings Fire

Tsumburbura: His Sacred Place

Tsui|Goab Is Given a Blow to the Knee by a Dying Foe

Tsoede and the Fruit That Cured

Tsibiri: The Sarki and the Red Snake

Tshawe and the Constricting Throat

Tororut and Animals That Did Not Fear Fire

Tore: The Arm of God

Tore and the Pot of Death

To Dino and the Great Flood

Tlam and the Fifty Virgins

Tindana, Murdered by a One-Eyed Giant

Tilo: The String to Heaven

Tilo: Emergence of Life from a Reed

Tilo and the Cock of Heaven

Tilo and the Child Found in Heaven

Tianza Ngombe and the Division of the World

Thixo Creates Three Nations

Thingo Lwenkosikazi Lives With a Snake

Tano Struggles with Death

Tanit Creates the Universe

Tamuno Creates the World from Mud

Sunjata Is Caught in a Struggle between Good and Evil

Sudika-Mbambi Descends to Earth

Somal: A Saint Passes through a Mountain

Soko and the Origin of Death

Sogbo, with Lightning from His Mouth

Sno-Nysoas Sons Refuse to Return from Earth

Silamaka and the Sacred Serpent of the Woods

Sidi Adjille Mahomet and the Mules Feed Bag

Shikwembu, Who Dwells Under the Earth

Shida Matunda and the Blood of a Dead Woman

Shibeika, the Sword of Munshattih

Sheuta and the Man-killing Woman

Segbo and the Children with Wands

Sango and the Lightning Charm

Sagbata and the Bird That Reconciled

Sabenas and the Drum of Iron

Sa Na Duniya Supports the Earth on Its Horn

Ryangombe, Killed by an Unwed Mother

Ruhanga Fails to Prevent the Coming of Evil

Ruhanga and the Three Seeds of Life

Rugaba Calls Niavingi to Him

Rhampsinitus and the Headless Man

Rdah Umm Zayed, Doomed from Birth

Rasoalavavolo Transforms Stones into People

Raluvhimba, Flame on a Platform of Rock

Ra, Enclosed in the Bud of a Lotus

Qamatha Sends the Chameleon with a Message

Polo, A Sphere in Two Parts

Pishiboros Body Becomes Water, His Blood Becomes Rocks

Pemba Moves to Earth on an Umbilical Cord

Ozidi, Driven by His Grandmother, Fate

Owuo: When His Eye Shuts, A Man Dies

Osiris, Killed by Set, Is Resurrected by Isis

Osanobua, Hurried, Creates an Incomplete Man

Osa and the Breath of Life

Ori and the Rope of Cows Hide

Olodumare Moves Away from the Earth

Ogun Sinks into the Earth

Oghene and the Origin of Death

Ogboinba and the Creation Stone

Oduduwa, Locked in the Darkness, in a Calabash

Oduduwa and the Origin of Arable Land

Odomankoma Creates the Universe

Obatala Is Tempted with Palm Wine

Obassi Osaw and the First Fire

Nzeanzo Retreats from Earth Because His Potency Destroys Many

Nzazi and the Beautiful Dog

Nzame Re-creates the World