Mythology of Black Africa

Black Africa has no specific sun god, but throughout the many tribes, there are many beliefs on how the world started. For example, the Boshongo Tribe in Central Africa believes that there was only water and darkness in the beginning. Then the god, Bumba, had a stomach ache and threw up the sun, moon, and stars. The sun dried up some of the water, so there was land. Then, since Bumba still had a stomach ache, he also threw up some animals like the turtle, the alligator, the leopard, and then some men. One of the men that Bumba threw up was white, just like him.

The Efik tribe from Nigeria believed something different. They believed that Abassi, the creator, created two humans and didn't allow them to live on Earth. Atai, Abassi's wife, tried to persuade him to let the humans live on Earth. Abassi agreed, but under one condition, the humans would have to eat with him to prevent them from hunting or growing food. But after awhile, the humans stopped eating with him and growing and hunting food. Abassi was very mad and blamed his wife because she suggested it. She handled it by putting death and discord on Earth. She did so to keep people in place.

The Ekoi tribe, located in southern Nigeria, thought that there were two gods in the beginning. Their names were Obassi Osaw and Obassi Nsi. Both of them created everything together. Then, after awhile, Obassi Osaw said he was going to live in the sky. Obassi Nsi then decided to live on the earth. The god that lives in the sky brings storms and droughts, but he also brings sunlight and moisture. The god living on earth nurtures people and when they die, brings them to the god in the sky. One day,Obassi Osaw made a woman and a man and put them on the earth. Obassi Nsi taught them to hunt and grow food since they knew nothing.

Even though Africa had no specific sun god, most tribes believed in Lisa as their sun goddess.

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