african myths and legends

A boy that resembles his paternal grandfather will be named Babatunde (‘father returns’), the female equivalent being Yetunde (‘Mother returns’). Worshiped in ancient Egypt as Tawaret, the goddess of fertility and childbirth, she was essentially regarded as a protective and caring deity. According to the Kebra Negast, the story goes that the king invited Makeda to a ceremonial feast where spicy food was deliberately served. The royal family of Ethiopia claims to be direct descendants of the child born to the queen and King Solomon. In their legends, the queen is named Makeda. Your email address will not be published. If not, remove the wrong ones in the widget settings. After the creation of the earth and the heavens, Huveane wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet while proudly admiring his handiwork. The stories here are a few among a long list of stories told by mothers and grandmothers, fathers and grand fathers to their sons and daughters as the traditional, oral history of the tribe. August 31, 2020, 1:30 pm. South African Myths and Legends Here we shall keep track of some of the interesting myths and legends from South Africa! According to the legend of the hero Fara Maka, one such beast ate all the crops in the fields. He calmed them and gave them strength by laying his hands on them. To do this, they believe they must first empty the house of the sufferer, so when the priests come in to cast out the evil spirit it will have nothing left to lurk behind. In Uncategorized. Most strange, however, is their belief that if a person dies young, their ghost can go to another town and live there as if they were not dead, even marrying a living woman who would not realise he was already dead! The story of this folklore is commonly told in Nigerian boarding schools, now take note that in most Nigerian schools, girls must have their hair in plaits/cornrows. More The Snake who bit a girl. When he succeeded, he attempted to hide the pot at the top of a tree where nobody could find it. Worshiped in ancient Egypt as Tawaret, the goddess of fertility and childbirth, she was essentially regarded as a protective and caring deity. If you have ever thought about some of the mysterious African stories, then it is worthwhile reading through this article as we explore five most creepy of those African myths and legends. Share It..... 4,948 total views, 4 views today. One folklore surrounding the creation of the humans is that Juok, the creator, meandered around the world and fashioned mankind out of clay, using material of different color from the various areas he visited. We have Coyote from Native American mythology giving great gifts and racing a turtle. The Biloko are diabolical dwarf-like entities believed to roam the nethermost regions of the rainforest in central Zaire. This series mixes dramatic retellings and non-fiction information to give a full picture of a culture's myths. The Ronga of Mozambique tell the legend of a mother who gave a hippo her baby to protect it from a foe. Get this from a library! The presence of elders especially if they are the ones telling the stories convey a sense of reality making such African legends and myths even more believable. Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. Many legends portray elephants as wise, strong, and just, although some take into account the capacity for elephants to commit violence and economic damage. The headmen of the tribe asked a medicine man to fetch the queen from Kalunga (the world of the dead). The Suk of Mount Elgon in Western Kenya used to live as a tribe of strong warriors and hunters, with a reputation that in the nineteenth century, was fiercer than that of the powerful Maasai-Samburu. Your email address will not be published. He does this, extracting the teeth when they are a couple of feet long and selling them in the village for a herd of goats. When it comes to blogging in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, Linda Ikeji has grown to become a force to reckon with. Where Is Mount Kilimanjaro on the Map, How High Is It and Can You Climb It? Just How Old Is Williams Uchemba and What Do We Know About His Wife Brunella Oscar? Nyami Nyami - The Zambezi River God . On that day, all of the queen’s rainmaking ingredients, prized objects, and incantations kept secret throughout her reign are passed on to her successor. 5The Hippopotamus. One of the most popular African myths and legends is the one that has long been told about the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, where people are expected to return to the clan in the form of a newborn baby, and who a child is can be determined by its resemblance to the original person. In most African cultures, history and beliefs have been explained and passed on through oral traditions and storytelling. The Zulu creation started out as the higher god who planted a seed and another god came from the seed, Unkulunkulu. Africa is a land of wide open spaces and many tribes exist who are still living today more or less as they have done for centuries, perhaps even millennia. The wisdom fell out and a sudden rainstorm washed it into the river and from there to the waters of the ocean, so that everyone in the world now owns a little bit of it. Adu Ogyinae also took charge and grouped the people into work teams. Myths, Legends, and Folklore of African-Americans Good reads for discovering the weird and wonderful world African-Americans made. One of the most famous African legends is attributed to the Kikuyu tribe of Mount Kenya, which has it a person’s spirit can be a terrible thing. Unknown African Myths and Legends. This book explores the gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests that make African myths and legends so compelling." The trickster is a prevalent type of mythic character in African mythology. Following a road, the man soon encountered the queen. To the Lovedu people of Mpumalanga, South Africa, the Rain Queen is a fundamental part of their culture and history. No books on other African diasporas. Comparison Cont. We know of the Queen of Sheba from different sources, including the Bible and the Qur’an. By calling out the different attributes he wished to see, he molded the men into perfect beings. Kaang demanded that the eland’s blood be boiled. This network is known for basically... Williams Uchemba, a popular Nollywood actor, is one of the widely talked-about movie stars in Nigeria and is always in the spotlight especially because... Hardly without any doubt, Chika Ike is one of the finest actresses the Nigerian movies industry has seen over the years. South African Myths And Legends by Ph 5 years ago Limpopo, is one of the nine provinces and the so-called land of myths and legends that bordesr Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the North. In one story Kaang’s wife gave birth to an eland (African antelope). Far from being seen as relics from the past, these stories still form an integral part of many Africans’ daily lives and are a testimony to their principles and beliefs. By Greyhound Greyhound. Jan van Hunks, a Dutch pirate in the early 18th century, retired from his eventful life at sea to live on the slopes of Devil's Peak, Table Mountain. However, in Madagascar, there is a tree that will use its branches to catch people up, then opens its bark and swallow them whole – and the friends and relatives will hear the victim singing a goodbye song from inside the trunk. Otherwise, he and his son would both be forced to stay in the underworld. 10. Every night, Mother Hippo would emerge with the child so that it could suckle from its mother. Posted July 18, 2016. Some of the biggest cities in South Africa are also are among the most popular and visited cities on the African continent. This series mixes dramatic retellings and non-fiction information to give a full picture of a culture's myths. More Folklore and Legends to read .... Hippos Don't Eat Fish. This remarkable African mammal is usually featured as a goddess in African legends. Fortunately less important people have less dangerous spirits. The Lion's Whisker. The female hippopotamus is almost always a goddess in African mythology. However, when the wife’s teeth grow again she refuses to let him remove them and now her body grows too and her skin becomes thick and grey, until she bursts out of the hut and walks away, going to live in the forest as an elephant. But while the mythologies of many other cultures no longer play an active role in religious beliefs, African myths and legends function as a meaningful part of everyday life. World Book's series Famous Myths and Legends of the World collects many famous stories from around the world. English only. Why Anansi Has Eight Thin Legs. T… The Bushmen are experts at finding water, and their advice is often sought out due to their precognitive dreams and divining capabilities. Giving him a funerary bracelet as proof of his encounter, the queen sent the medicine man back, telling him that no one who entered Kalunga could ever leave and that he shouldn’t eat any of the food or speak of Kitamba’s impending death. Three stories of tricksters. Every year, the Rain Queen’s powers are displayed at the Ga-Modjadji settlement during the rainmaking ceremony. Even though he lives in the sky, his invisible spirit still resides in all living things. The queens are all expected to commit suicide by poison at the age of 60. A few South African Myths and Legends Van Hunks & The Devil. Through engaging narration and colorful illustrations, Myths and Legends of Africa helps children explore the mythologies and legends of the Ashanti, Ganda, Zulu, and other African cultures. The Penteli Cave Enigma – A Place of Unexplained Phenomena Since Ancient Times. Equatorial Guinea Is The Only Spanish Speaking Country In Africa – Here Is Why? This item: African Myths and Legends (All About Myths) by Catherine Chambers Paperback $9.25 Only 9 left in stock - order soon. To the Lovedu people of Mpumalanga, South Africa, the Rain Queen is a fundamental part of their culture and history. His son, who had followed him, finally asked him why he didn’t tie the pot to his back so that he could climb more easily. Unfortunately, that was about the same time that humans taught themselves about the birds and the bees. As she is the embodiment of rain, even her state of mind is said to influence the weather. The Bushmen, also called the Khoi or San, are the nomads of Africa. 5 Creepiest African Myths and Legends Africa is a land of wide open spaces and many tribes exist who are still living today more or less as they have done for centuries, perhaps even millennia. More Mapandangare, the Great Baboon. Whether she was a queen regent or a queen consort, we do not know. On the other hand, male hippopotami are usually seen as shape-shifting beasts. Guinea Fowl Child. The hero threw all his spears and sent black hounds against it, but the monster continued eating and could only be subdued and killed after a spell was placed on it by the hero’s wife. Non-fiction only. Umoja: The All-Female Kenyan Village Where Men Are Not Allowed, DStv Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman With Special Screening Of ’Black Panther’. Ready to be scared? The only way to save them is to pay a fee to the Woodpecker so that he will use his magic powers and sharp bill to open the tree and release the trapped person. In Mozambique, the Ronga people tell the legend of a mother who left her child with Mother Hippo for safekeeping as the child’s life was threatened by an envious rival. Stories from Africa. More The Lion on the path. Faithless One. African myths & legends. No books solely on folksongs. Big trees are believed to have spirits, to which the people listen carefully, and if kept happy the spirits will, for instance, protect boatmen riding in boats made from their tree. What a lot of people don’t know about though, are the superstitions, myths and legends that have to do with the country. The dam was finished in 1977. Its numerous heroes and pharaohs also make Egyptian myths very popular. by Called Mudjadji, the queen is said to be a living incarnation of the rain goddess. Stories of death, magic, celestial beings, the birth of the universe and quirky animals. Chika Ike’s Biography: Inside The Life Of One Of Nollywood’s Finest, Sources of Linda Ikeji’s Net Worth and How She Became The Richest Blogger In Nigeria, Intimate Details Of ChaCha Eke Faani’s Troubled Marriage to Husband Austin Faani, How Zubby Michael’s Net Worth Accrued And The Houses & Cars He Has Invested In, All The Fun Facts About Alexi McCammond of MSNBC and Who Her Boyfriend Is, Lesly Brown – Bio, 5 Key Facts You Need To Know About Pat Sajak’s Wife, 100 Dirty Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend. In this manner, Kaang provided the meat that his people hunt, kill, and eat to this day. Their oral traditions live with them in the form of wonderful African myths and legends – stories told again and again over the fires and thereby passed down through the generations. Many more folktales are available on this wonderful website WildMoz Image: Drew Gardner. [O B Duane] -- A collection of the most gripping African tales, vividly retold and illustrated by an intriguing array of paintings and illustrations. This was great for them, but all the noise was too loud for Huveane. Her husband visits her there but she refuses to come back, and in due course she has several healthy children, all elephants as well, who form the first herd … well, it’s as good an explanation as any! The medicine man ordered all the people of the village to wash themselves with infused herbs and shortly afterwards, descended into the land of the dead with his son. The continent has regions to the... 10 African Countries With the Highest Military Strength and Firepower, 10 Most Interesting Tanzania Facts You Really Need to Know, 10 Ugandan Newspapers Online for Today's Latest News, Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries in Africa, How To Reach Glo Customer Care Numbers and the Issues They Can Help You Fix. African King - This Is Good! They zealously guard the forest and its living creatures from the hollow trees in which they hide. Trees in African lore are generally good things; the people need firewood, goats eat the leaves, bees and birds make their nests in them, drums and boats are made from the wood. For three days, relatives waited in vain for human remains to be recovered. Many narratives deal with common concepts such as life after death or the birth of the universe, but they also include belief in magic, ancestor spirits, celestial beings, and an assortment of unusual legends that pertain to its animals. Although the trickster introduces disorder and confusion into the divine plan, he also paves the way for a new, more dynamic order. According to the legends, these beings are restless ancestor spirits who still harbor resentment toward the living. African Myths And Legends. The next day, the bodies of the workers were found in its place. He tied the pot in front of him and tried to climb the tree, but progress was slow as he kept sliding and losing his grip. Finally, the elders of the tribe explained that only a sacrifice would appease Nyaminyami’s displeasure. You can use the comment box below to add more African myths and legends you know. The god nurtured the calf but it was mistakenly killed by his two sons. Her full name isn’t ever mentioned, but most scholars believe her kingdom may have been in the region of Ethiopia. The Elephant Tusk (read and hear myth - Benin) King's Crown (read and hear myth, Nigeria) African Fables and Folktales At this, a calf was slaughtered and placed in the water. African Legends - How the Zebra Got his Stripes. One of the most popular African myths and legends is the one that has long been told about the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, where people are expected to return to the clan in the form of a newborn baby, and who a child is can be determined by its resemblance to the original person. Mount Pentelicus, a mountain near Athens, Greece, has been an important area for thousands of years. The queen took the water and drank it, so setting the king free of his promise. Tricksters overturn convention and are notorious for pursuing their insatiable appetites and shameless lusts, even at the price of disaster. Called Mudjadji, the queen is said to be a living incarnation of the rain goddess. It’s not very touristy yet, located in the Far North of South Africa. The Flying Dutchman The Ghost of Tokai Manor Rain Queen Van Hunks and the Devil The lion's share Two roads overcome the hyena Hole in … He coordinated the building of their first shelters until a tree he was chopping down fell on and killed him. According to their beliefs, the supreme god Kaang created the world but sent death and destruction after experiencing too much disobedience and antagonism. There once was an arrogant Babboon, a self-appointed "Lord of the Water". We know of the Queen of Sheba from various sources, including the Bible and the Qur’an. He guarded one of the only sources of water that remained during times of drought, a small pool, and forbid any of the other animals from drinking there. Unfortunately, she got thirsty during the night, woke up, and reached for some water that was placed close to her bed. One of the most popular African myths and legends is the one that has long been told about the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, where people are expected to return to the clan in the form of a newborn baby, and who a child is can be determined by its resemblance to the original person. Roles in Zulu society The stories between the two are also completely different. Asked to relocate, the Batonga were certain that Nyaminyami wouldn’t allow the dam to be built. The beautiful plaits. South Africa myths and legends Posted by Amy | Interests | 0 South Africa is a country rich in history and culture, containing some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites, and has accumulated a series of myths and legends over the years to reflect the country’s personality. The 10 Longest Rivers In Africa and The Countries They Pass Through, The 10 Biggest Cities in South Africa By Population and Infrastructure Development, List of Countries in West Africa and the Major Landmarks they are Famous For, All the Countries in Central Africa and the Major Landmarks They are Famous For. Looking around them, the astonished people became terrified, but Adu Ogyinae—the first man on the surface—seemed to understand the world and its wonders. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Please check if there are posts that match all the below criteria. PH Upside Down Stories. According to Akan mythology, all humans lived deep within the earth. The Tortoise and the Birds. Women lose consciousness at the sight of them and only the most daring hunters enter these forests and survive. As she is the embodiment of rain, even her state of mind is said to influence the weather. Eventually the ‘final hour’ arrives and the man dies a second time, with the wife, presumably, never knowing she had been married to a ghost! This write-up will focus on the best African mythology books, myths and gods. Required fields are marked *. Among the influences on their development were the mass migrations that took place from time to time. It is on record that Spain once controlled more than 35 countries all over the world, including a few African countries. Since elephants are as intelligent as humans, the Kamba tribe of Kenya believes that they must have originated from man. This is... Just like the term implies, the countries in West Africa form a region that is located in the westernmost part of the African continent.... Africa as a whole is the second largest and most populous continent in the world just after Asia. In the last few decades, many have become farmers due to the dangers that our modern life poses to their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, but their territory once stretched from the Cape to Kenya. When he returned, he presented the chief with the bracelet, and the chief confirmed that it was indeed that of Muhungu. African legends have been told for long and some of these stories are ages old but one thing remains certain: there will always be new legends but how wide they would be able to travel remains a question. The strange reply is to be given a flask of ointment which he is told he should rub on his wife’s canine teeth, wait until they have grown and then sell them! How the Ostrich got his long neck. The Mudjadji is also believed to be able to send storms to destroy the Lovedu’s enemies or gentle rain to nurture their friends. Usually in the form of a spider, his stories mainly deal with his attempts at fooling humans into stealing or doing something immoral that would benefit him in some way. Barely a year after the project began, a severe flood struck, killing several workers and destroying the partially built dam. He stands as the cornerstone of many Afro-Caribbean religions. There is much more to the baobab tree than its physical appearance, properties and mystical qualities. For this list, we’ll be looking at those creatures, spirits, and animals that terrorize the imaginations of little kids across Africa. It can enlighten you about where many of the myths, gods and legends in African … Legends abound as to why the tree looks like it has been stuck upside down into the ground. Elephants in African Myths. A vast continent, Africa is home to many cultures and a thousand or more languages. In an Angolan folktale, death is explained like this: heartbroken after the death of his favorite wife Muhungu, Chief Kitamba ordered his people not to speak or eat until she could be brought back to life. About 7,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Hottentot and the Bushmen began moving from … For the Basotho and Bavenda peoples of Lesotho, South Africa, he is their creator. In their beliefs, illness or disease in an individual is blamed on the spirit of disease, Oi, and he needs to be expelled for the person to recover. After death this spirit, ‘Ngoma’, becomes a ghost, and if the person was murdered, the Ngoma will pursue the one who murdered him until the murderer comes out of hiding and gives himself up to the police, with imprisonment being considered a better option than continuing to run from a vengeful spirit! She also pointed to a shadowy figure in chains—the spirit of Chief Kitamba, who was destined to die soon. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. One of the most popular African myths and legends is the one that has long been told about the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, where people are expected to return to the clan in the form of a newborn baby, and who a child is can be determined by its resemblance to the original person. The subsequent fatty residue was scattered across the landscape, in turn becoming other antelope and animals. This remarkable African mammal is usually featured as a goddess in African legends. As he climbed he removed each peg so that no human would ever follow him. "The world's myths are filled with characters, creatures, and stories that have fascinated people for thousands of years. Myths & Legends. Among its one billion inhabitants, more than 1,000 languages are spoken, and there is a massive variety of ethnic religions. If … She showed him Kalunga-ngombe, the lord of the underworld, and explained that he devours everyone in the end. Like myths from other parts of the world, those of Africa reflect its people's beliefs and values. When someone dies, death ‘infects’ their hut and the family will move out after burying the dead within it and shaving their own heads in bereavement (although mourning only continues until the next new moon). One day, seven men, five women, a leopard, and a dog crawled out of a hole made by a massive worm. For centuries amongst a variety of cultures stories and legends have been handed down from ancestor to youngsters. The legendary Zambezi River God, or Nyaminyami, is a dragon-like creature believed to command all life in and on the mighty Zambezi River, the fourth-largest river system on the continent. It is also the inspiration behind several myths and stories. The mother hippo would come with the baby to suckle from its mother every night. Learn how your comment data is processed. The world's myths are filled with characters, creatures, and stories that have fascinated people for thousands of years. However, they decided to change their way of life completely and moved down to the Kerio Valley to become peaceful cattle-herders. Because she was staying the night, the queen asked Solomon to swear he wouldn’t force himself on her. The exploits of Anansi, West Africa’s great trickster-god, are described in hundreds of folktales. This is one of the African legends that originates with the Bushmen. One tale tells of his attempt to hoard the entire world’s wisdom into a pot for himself. According to one fable, the Kariba Dam project (started in 1956) shattered the peaceful existence of the Batonga people who had lived in the Zambezi Valley for hundreds of years. The Mysterious Queen Of Sheba. More The AmaXhosa. In their beliefs, a very poor man consulted someone called Ivonya-Ngia (‘He that feeds the Poor’) for help in alleviating his troubles; although offered cattle and sheep, he refused the gift, asking instead to be told how to become rich himself. To escape from his wife's sharp tongue he often walked up the mountain where he settled down to smoke his pipe. – Advertisment – In an unusual fashion, Huveane ascended into the heavens by driving pegs into it and climbing to the top. Some Afri… Although no single set of myths and legends unites this diverse population, different cultural groups and regions share some common mythological elements. He then created medicine men and their visions. Many are cheerful, full of benign gods and helpful spirits – but others have a distinctly darker tone. Comparison Cont. She was known as Tawaret, the goddess of fertility and childbirth in ancient Egypt. Myths and legends developed over thousands of years in Africa south of the Sahara. When dying, a person’s spirit may visit relatives to inform them of the impending death, which t… Also its many pyramids towering into the sky with reckless abandon. When dying, a person’s spirit may visit relatives to inform them of the impending death, which they will feel even from a great distance as a cold presence. The spirits of elders are especially feared, so their burial rituals are executed meticulously to ensure the spirits are not upset. The loss of the home was not a great problem as the nomadic tribe would be moving on anyway. In Nigeria, there are four major telecommunications networks and one of them is Globacom (popularly known as Glo). In many African stories, Huveane is the first man, while in others he is portrayed as a conniving deity. A boy that resembles his paternal grandfather will be named Babatunde (‘father returns’), the female equivalent being Yetunde (‘Mother returns’). The king appeared, reminding her of her promise, as water was the most esteemed of all earthly possessions. By Guest in Facts and Mythology, Mythology on April 8, 2016. These attempts normally fail miserably, teaching the listeners various life lessons. There's also Anansi the spider-man from West African … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He said he wouldn’t take anything from her if she didn’t take anything from him. The Legends of Africa reflect a wide-ranging ... and several myths surround him. As he realized his son’s ingenuity, the pot slipped and fell to the ground.

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