Questions related to the continent of Africa.
Questions tagged [africa]
14 questions
13
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Why doesn't Mukiti want Mwindo to visit his aunt?
In the african folklore epic Muwindo, Muwindo goes to see his aunt Iyangura after his father attempts to murder him. However, the husband of Iyangury, Mukiti, does not want Muwindo to do so and blocks Muwindo's way to his aunt.
"Mukiti refused to…
user62
9
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1 answer
Why did Unkulunkulu send the lizard after the chameleon?
In Chapter II: Where Man Came From, and How Death Came of Alice Werner's Myths and Legends of the Bantu we find the chameleon legend of the Bantu people. The legend explains how death came into the world:
It is said he (Unkulunkulu) sent a…
yannis
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8
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What is the significance of the number of orishas?
According to Wikipedia, different oral traditions refer to different numbers of orishas:
Yoruba tradition often says that there are 401 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can…
yannis
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How were the Orishas born?
Orishas are the deities that form the Yoruban pantheon. Their ruler is Olorun. However, while I was reading up on them, I was unable to find out about how the Orishas were created. How were these gods born?
user1385
6
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2 answers
Are there any monkey gods in Africa?
The Mayans had Hun Batz, the Chinese have the Monkey King, and the Hindus have Hanuman. Monkeys are also indigenous to Africa, so I'm assuming there are also simian gods from that region.
user35971
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Why do Ethiopians play gena on Christmas?
Traditionally, people in Ethiopia play gena - a rugby/field hockey like game - on Christmas day.
Where does this tradition come from?
Girsan Virlee
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How is Odudua the Orisha of Earth?
Odudua is the Orisha (Yoruban deity) of Earth. She is said to be the personification of Earth and is the sister of Olorun, the god of the sky and ruler of the Orishas. However, his son, Oduduwa,is said to be the Orisha who created the Earth. If…
user1385
4
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3 answers
Are there any myths concerning Punic/Carthaginian deities?
I am unable to find any Punic myths concerning deities. Are there any such myths? If not, why not?
Marduk Trimegistus
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what Monsters exist in African mythology?
I'm looking for information on Monsters from African folklore, preferably the ones that hurt, kill or eat people.
I'm asking on here because google has very little
Axen
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Myths on God committing suicide
I am looking for information on myths where God commit suicide, specifically myths based from Central America, South America, and Africa; especially on the idea that earth was created through a God's suicide.
Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!
user3106368
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Who is the woman portrayed atop a pillar at UCT's Upper Campus?
On top of a pillar that was about two or three storeys tall, I once saw this sculpture of a woman looking out toward the woods of Devil's Peak on Table Mountain in the City of Cape Town. This being nearly a decade ago, I'm somewhat fuzzy on the…
Adinkra
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What's the oldest information about African werelions? Most info just talks about The Lions of Tsavo
Werewolves.com: Werecats: The Lions of Tsavo:
In Africa, however, werecats and large felines are honored as kings; the ability for humans to shapeshift into feline form is a sign of royalty, –or even of a god or goddess. The best example of this…
Malady
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What are some actually evil gods around the world?
I mean gods that are truly evil, not ones who are reflecting the social norms of the era they were worshiped in. (Zeus for example, he wasn't evil, his actions were seen as acceptable and normal at the time.)
Orionixe
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Is the Yoruba pantheon infinite?
Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 Orisha, which is associated with a sacred number. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more – an innumerable number"
So if it's as many as I can think of,…
Orionixe
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