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=high&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&edu=high&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 is the chief god of the Yoruba pantheon. For the Yoruba people, he is the owner of ...Read more

Fon: Mawu

Mawu is the supreme creator god according to the Fon people of Abomey (Republic of Benin). ...Read more

Fon: Liza

Liza is a deity of the Fon people who live in West Africa. Liza is associated with the Sun, ...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 the number of spots on the Sun's surface changes over a cycle of about 11 years?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Lahar
xLahar : A mudflow or landslide composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. Lahars can be huge, fast, and deadly.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Mysterious Clouds Produced When Aircraft Inadvertently Cause Rain or Snow

As turboprop and jet aircraft climb or descend under certain atmospheric conditions, they can inadvertently "seed" mid-level clouds, causing narrow bands of snow or rain to develop and fall to...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