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&edu=elem&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&edu=elem&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 was the sea god of the Yoruba people, who live in Benin. His name means "owner of the ...Read more

Yoruba: Shango

Shango was the king of the Oyo kingdom in West Africa. This was where the Yoruba people lived ...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 is a god of the Fon people of West Africa. Liza is represented by the fierce Sun. Usually ...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 black holes have such high gravitational pull that not even light can escape? Find out more about other strange stuff in space!

Did you know that Colonial Americans used large sheets of mica as glass for windows?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Tallus slope
xTallus slope : An accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags or mountain cliffs

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Soil Microbes Produce Less Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Than Expected With Global Warming

Scientists have learned that microbes that live in the soil, like fungi and bacteria, don't produce more carbon dioxide when the climate is warmer. At first these microbes will produce more carbon dioxide,...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