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=1/earth/Atmosphere/moons/triton_atmosphere.html">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=1/earth/Atmosphere/moons/triton_atmosphere.html">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 Zephyr was the Greek god of the west wind?

Did you know that you can submit your own poem about this month's featured weather image?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Ooids
xOoids : Small (< 2 mm), spheroidal, layered sedimentary grains, usually composed of calcium carbonate, but sometimes made up of iron- or phosphate-based minerals.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Mysterious Clouds Produced by Aircraft

Without meaning to, airplanes can cause certain types of clouds to produce snow or rain. When the aircraft climb or descend through mid-level clouds, if the atmospheric conditions are right then the planes...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