Nyame (or Onyame) is the name of God, the Supreme Being in the Akan people’s religious system. Originally the word may have just meant ‘the sky’, hence the proverb: “No one shows a child the sky (or God).” Nyame corresponds to the spiritual idea of Deity. Nyame was one part of a triune deity, or …
All about Nyame: Supreme God of Akan African People Read More »
African deities are generally grouped as primary deities, secondary deities, and tertiary deities, the latter group including clan spirits, local divinities, and personal gods. In the Dahomean Vodun pantheon, Mawu-Lisa (also spelled Mahu-Lisa, Mahou-Lissa, or Mahu-Lissa) is the first on the list of primary deities. In other words, in the hierarchy of powers, Mawu-Lisa comes …
The Iyalorisha is a medium of the gods or the bride of the Orisha among the Yoruba of Nigeria. Like the Babalorisha, who is normally a male, the Iyalorisha is a key person in the Yoruba spiritual hierarchy because she is married to the Orisha. The Babalawo or the Iyawo represent counterparts of the spiritual …
Iyalorisha & Iyawo: Medium of the Gods among African Yoruba Read More »
ASAASE YAA (also known as ABEREWA, ASASE YA) of the Akan – Ashanti people(Ghana). In the Akan Ashanti Pantheon of deities (known as the Abosom), she is the daughter of the Supreme God, Nyame. Preceded only by Nyame (Creator) in power and importance, Asase Yaa (also referred to as Aberewa [old woman] and Mother Earth) …
Loas are a part of the Vodun pantheon; they are spirits that are part of one’s metaphysical consciousness and come into play whenever called on from the realm in which they exist. In other words, one has to be conscious believers (Voduists) of their (Loas) spiritual existence to be in contact with their energy. Once …
Azaka Mede: Vodou Loa of Agriculture and Harvest Read More »
The Haitian Voudou religion contains a rich pantheon of gods and spirits, one of which is the serpent Damballah Wedo. But what exactly is Damballah’s role and power? Damballah Wedo is an important Loa spirit from Haiti Voudou religion, usually depicted as a giant cosmic serpent. His divine role is to support the world in …
Damballah Wedo: Vodou Snake God who Holds the Universe Read More »
In the beginning, a large snake encircled the Earth to protect it from crumbling into the seas. When the first rains began to fall, the Haitian deity, Aida Wedo, the rainbow Lwa, appeared, and the serpent (who was really the Lwa Danbala) fell in love with her, and they married. It is said that the …