Africans had their own form of worship and religion before Europeans discovered the continent and felt the need to introduce Christianity, through which they claimed to show Africans the “one true God.” That is why African gods are part of a well-established culture.
Throughout history, it has been discovered that Africans knew God before coming into contact with Europeans. In what is now known as African worship and traditional practices, the name of God is translated into several words in many African languages.
Not only did they have a name for him, but they believed in him and other lesser gods, many of whom existed before Greek mythology and the introduction of Christianity to Africa, from which Zulu mythology, for example, among others such as babalawo and other beliefs that have been maintained over time, emerged.
Image gallery of African gods
African gods
Within African belief, there are six most revered African gods, popularly known as deities that were worshipped before Christianity found its way to the continent.
1.- Ala- Igbo, Nigeria
Ala is a female deity and one of the most popular and revered of all Igbo deities. In Igbo, ‘Ala’ literally translates to ‘earth’ in English, representing her power over the earth. Considered the wife of Amadioha, the god of the sky, she is the deity of the earth, morality, fertility, and creativity.
Also pronounced Ale, Ani, or Ana in the various dialects of the Igbo language, she is one of the oldest deities and is worshipped, especially by women, as part of the traditional Odinani religion.
She is the protector of women and children, and sacrifices are offered to her if someone breaks a taboo or seeks fertility of the womb or of the earth for a bountiful harvest. During the annual yam festival, she is honored and remembered. It is believed that if she becomes angry, she not only convinces her husband to deprive the people of rain, but also causes natural disasters.
2.- Agé-Fon, Benin
Agé, a Fon deity, dates back to the Dahomey Empire. As the son of the creator goddess Mawu-Lisa, Agé was given the power and responsibility to protect and guide hunters during their days and nights in the desert. He often recharged his energy and power from his mother and is believed to take the form of a young man in a hunter’s costume guiding hunters.
During times of war and battle, Agé was called upon to protect and give strength to warriors, guiding them along the paths they should follow. Agé is honored by sacrificing the meaty parts of the game caught by hunters.
3.- Modjaji- South Africa
In South Africa, Modjaji is the goddess of rain whose spirit resides in the body of a young woman who must be queen. For the Balobedu people, the Rain Queen is a very important figure. There are several stories that explain how the rain goddess began to take physical form.
The Rain Goddess has existed for as long as anyone can remember. However, in the 16th century, it is believed that her spirit decided to live in a woman: Dzugundini, the princess of the Balebedu Kingdom, who became pregnant by her own father, the King. Modjaji has the power to start or stop the rain.
4.- Kibuka – Uganda
For the Buganda Empire, which existed from the 9th to the 14th century, Kibuku is a deity who has been with the people long before Europeans arrived on the continent.
According to oral history, the Buganda army had suffered several defeats and the king, in a state of concern, met with the almighty god, Mukasa. At their meeting, the king asked Mukasa to give them help in the war.
Mukasa offered to help by offering his younger brother Kibuka as the diaspora. Before any war, the warriors would always sing, dance, and offer sacrifices in honor of Kibuka before going into battle. It is believed that Kibuka went ahead of the warriors, clearing their paths and guiding them.
5.- Nana Buluku – West Africa/Caribbean
As a deity, Nana Buluku comes in other forms among various traditional societies in West Africa, including the Fon in Benin. She can also be found in sheep communities in Togo and parts of Ghana, as well as among the Akans. She is also very present and highly revered in Nigeria, among the traditional Yoruba and Igbo communities.
Among the Fon and Ewe in Ghana, she is known as Nana Bukuulu and Nana Bukuuu; and Nana Kuruku among the Yoruba of Nigeria. The Igbos of Nigeria refer to her as Olisabuluwa. The Akans of Ghana call her Nana Buruku.
Among these societies, she is still actively worshipped as the mother goddess. She is an ancient goddess who appears in the image of an old woman and is believed to be the creator of the world. She is not only the most revered deity, but also the genesis of all forms of worship and religion in West Africa.
6.- Adroa – Central Africa
Adroa is the god of death with two characters: good and evil. Because of his duality, his body is divided in two. One half is short and black, representing evil, while the other half is tall and white, representing goodness.
Adroa appears to people in whatever form best suits a situation. Usually half a body with one eye, one arm, and one leg, he often appears to people before they die. Among the Lugbara of Uganda and the Congo, Adroa is also the creator of heaven and earth and sees everything that the living do.
Conclusion
Most, if not all, African cultures believe in a Supreme Creator in one form or another. A God behind the Gods, a Supreme God who created everything. It is believed that the Creator once lived on Earth but left for His Kingdom in Heaven due to human transgressions.
That is why, despite their cultural diversity, the inhabitants of Africa have a strong religious foundation where African gods represent the highest expression of their beliefs and existence during their lives on the earthly and spiritual planes.
