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16 Sep, 10 tweets, 5 min read
Bush Spirits and other Beings of the Wild occupy a central role in the folklore of most African peoples. They are also one of our favorite topics here at MA 😊

For #FolkloreThursday, here’s a thread of MA threads on this topic:
#FolkloreThursday
First, a short invocation by yours truly 😊
#FolkloreThursday
Beings of the Wild are invoked in the opening of the Myth of the Bagre.
#FolkloreThursday
Remember the one about the Forest Being and his sleep inducing palm nut?
#FolkloreThursday
Don’t forget our handy guide to bush spirits and other creatures you might encounter in the wild!
#FolkloreThursday
Meanwhile, there are actual communities of Forest-dwelling people whose encounters with others surely inspire many stories and myths
#FolkloreThursday
Some beings deserve special focus.

There’s Aroni for example. I just discovered the Fachan today and it’s interesting how similar they are to each other 🤔
#FolkloreThursday

There’s Yehwe Zogbanu of the 30 horns 😬
#FolkloreThursday
If your journey through the Wild took you near water, watch out for these folks
#FolkloreThursday
More beings of the Wild from African myths and folklore

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More from @MythicAfricans

Mythological Africans Profile picture
15 Sep
Thread of MA Deep Dive Series Episodes 🧵
Episode 1: Otherworlds and Underworlds
Episode 2: Sun and Moon Symbolism
Read 5 tweets
Mythological Africans Profile picture
14 Sep
Hello Friends! Gather around for #FairyTaleTuesday story time 😊.

The theme as you know is Beauty and the Beast and our tale today is from the Ronga (Mozambique).

Do you know the one about the girl Chichinguane and Chipfalamfula, the great magical fish?
#FairyTaleTuesday
Normally, Chipfalamfula stays in the water and minds his business. Sometimes he blocks the river and causes flooding. Every now and then he rescues the odd child from drowning.
#FairyTaleTuesday
But he is mostly content swimming around and making sure the people who live in his belly are happy and cared for.

So this one rainy day, Chipfalamfula is swimming in the river enjoying the patter of rain drops on the surface when he hears cries for help.
Read 57 tweets
Mythological Africans Profile picture
31 Mar
Hello All! We’re getting whisked away by the wee folk for #WyrdWednesday and I am here as your friendly guide through the otherworlds of #AfricanMythology where abduction by “bush spirits” or “forest dwarves” is a shockingly common theme.
#WyrdWednesday
These entities are pretty unpredictable though! Depending on where you are and who you meet, you might actually WANT to be whisked away, with the assurance that you will be taught the secrets of civilization.
#WyrdWednesday
Otherwise watch out! You could end up a captive being fattened for an upcoming feast, or be left to wander the forest forever, unable to put down whatever load you are carrying.
Read 23 tweets
Mythological Africans Profile picture
29 Mar
Hey Myth Lovers! For #MythologyMonday’s Resurrection theme we’ll explore some stories from #AfricanMythology which feature resurrections.
#MythologyMonday
Among the Bunyoro (Uganda), it is believed that Ruhanga the Supreme Deity used to resurrect all humans who died. Resurrections were cause for great joy and ritual celebration in the community. Only animals died permanently.
#MythologyMonday
But then, a woman, upset over the death of her dog, refused to participate in the rituals surrounding death and resurrection. This angered Ruhanga who then stopped resurrecting humans.
Read 13 tweets
Mythological Africans Profile picture
18 Mar
How To Read Myths and Folklore (Thread)

First, I am not claiming this is the only way to approach myths and folklore. Also, my intended audience are those of us Africans (and diaspora) who Wole Soyinka describes as alienated within our own societies.
I thought to write about this because I feel like many of us, especially those raised Christian, internalize the idea that Biblical myths are either the only valid myths worth paying attention to, or are taught to see them as literal history.
Matter of fact, the stories in the Bible are not even called myths in many Christian circles. They are the literal "Word of God" which makes them truer than what anything, even common sense, scientific or other proof says.
Read 37 tweets
Mythological Africans Profile picture
18 Mar
Happy Sinful #FolkloreThursday Everyone! So, I spent a bit of time since this week’s theme was announced thinking about whether to approach it playfully or seriously (or if at all...this is a fraught topic 😅).
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
In most, if not all, traditional African societies, “Sin” is conceived of as ritual errors i.e. offences against the gods, breaches of their directives or neglect of filial duties which may anger the ancestors. (J. Ọmọṣade Awolalu)
#FolkloreThursday
There are many myths and folktales in #AfricanMythology which illustrate what “sin” means to different African peoples. Also, “sin” can be committed by the gods as well as by people.
Read 15 tweets

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