Exploring African mythologies, spiritualities and cultures | Curated by @hm_nde
Sep 16, 2021 • 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 😊
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.
Mar 31, 2021 • 23 tweets • 8 min read
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.
Mar 29, 2021 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
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.
Mar 18, 2021 • 37 tweets • 6 min read
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.
Mar 18, 2021 • 15 tweets • 8 min read
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)
Mar 17, 2021 • 24 tweets • 13 min read
Hello All! For a green themed #WyrdWednesday we have a folktale from the Alur people (DRC, Uganda) and some folklore from the Yoruba (Nigeria) and the Swahili-speaking people of the East African Coast.
#WyrdWednesday#AfricanMythology
Jokinam is the powerful Alur (DRC, Uganda) god of Lake Mwitanzige (also Lake Albert). It is said that he rules a beautiful green world at the bottom of the lake.
(Lake Mwitanzige 📸Wikipedia)
Mar 16, 2021 • 18 tweets • 10 min read
Hello Friends! Today’s #FairyTaleTuesday returns to the topic of Other-Worldly Beings for St. Patrick’s Day. As you may know we have talked before about a few of such creatures from #AfricanMythology.
#FairyTaleTuesday#AfricanMythology
Today, I will share more examples in #AfricanMythology for different conceptions of other-worldly beings such as demoted angels, indigenous deities, spirits of the dead/ancestors, prehistoric precursors to humans and spirits of nature.
