West African Mythology

Visit the links to learn about the myths of West Africa related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.

Back to the World Map


<a href="/mythology/shango_storm.html&dev=">Shango</a> was the forth king of the ancient Oyo Empire, the West African center of culture and politics for the Yoruba people.After his death, he became known as the god of <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/tstorm/tstorm_lightning.html&dev=">thunder and lightning</a>. In artwork, such as this wood carving, he is often depicted with a double ax on his head, the symbol of a thunderbolt, or he is depicted as a fierce ram.<p><small><em>Image Courtesy of the Hamill Gallery of African Art, Boston, MA</em></small></p>

Explore West African Mythology

Yoruba: Olokun

Olokun, the sea god of the Yoruba people, lives in a palace under the sea, with human and fish ...Read more

Yoruba: Shango

Shango was the fourth king of the ancient Oyo Empire, the West African center of culture and ...Read more

Yoruba: Olorun

Olorun, whose name means "owner" is the sky-god of the Yoruba people. He is also known as ...Read more

Fon: Mawu

Mawu is the supreme god of the Fon people of Abomey (Republic of Benin). Mawu , the Moon, brings ...Read more

Fon: Liza

Liza was the Sun god to the Fon people of West Africa. His sister was the Moon god Mawu. The ...Read more

Historical Events

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

Full Teacher Events Calendar (Educator Members only)

Did you know?

Did you know that the Earth’s lithosphere is broken into giant plates, which occasionally move and can produce earthquakes?

Did you know that the physics of a spinning dancer and the formation of the solar system have something in common?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Mantle
xMantle : Part of the earth's interior between the metallic outer core and the crust.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Triggers of Volcanic Eruptions in Oregon's Mount Hood Investigated

Scientists have learned that Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain, has erupted in the past due to the mixing of two different types of magma. "The data will help give us a better road map to what a future...Read more


Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA