Libanza is a legendary figure in Boloki and Upoto mythologies. In Boloki mythology, Libanza is a heroic character who is depicted as the first man, while in Upoto mythology, Libanza is a supreme god worshipped for creating the universe. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Libanza was born from a mother figure who gave birth to all animals of the earth. Before his birth, Libanza's shield, spears, and chair left his mother's womb first. Libanza's father was already killed by this time by an unknown figure when he was stealing fruits for his wife. Libanza eventually found out about this and went on a journey to pursue his father's murderer with his sister, Nsongo. He later succeeded in avenging his father's death by killing his murderer. Libanza also had shape-shifting abilities, which he later used in his other adventures. [1] [2]
As the creator god in Upoto mythology, Libanza is also associated with an origin-of-death myth involving two groups of people: the people of the earth and the people of the moon. It is said that when Libanza called upon these two groups, the people of the moon were the first to heed his call. As a reward for their obedience, Libanza gave the people of the moon eternal life, with one caveat, which was that they would die for two days every month. The people of the earth, who arrived later than Libanza's expectations, were punished with a fate of having to eventually die and can never be resurrected to life. [3] [4]
Hades, in the ancient Greek religion and mythology, is the god of the dead and the king of the underworld, with which his name became synonymous. Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, although this also made him the last son to be regurgitated by his father. He and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, defeated their father's generation of gods, the Titans, and claimed joint rulership over the cosmos. Hades received the underworld, Zeus the sky, and Poseidon the sea, with the solid earth available to all three concurrently. In artistic depictions, Hades is typically portrayed holding a bident and wearing his helm with Cerberus, the three-headed guard-dog of the underworld, standing at his side.
In Norse mythology, Heimdall is a god. He is the son of Odin and nine mothers. Heimdall keeps watch for invaders and the onset of Ragnarök from his dwelling Himinbjörg, where the burning rainbow bridge Bifröst meets the sky. He is attested as possessing foreknowledge and keen senses, particularly eyesight and hearing. The god and his possessions are described in enigmatic manners. For example, Heimdall is golden-toothed, "the head is called his sword," and he is "the whitest of the gods."
In Greek mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess from Tyre and the mother of King Minos of Crete. The continent of Europe is named after her. The story of her abduction by Zeus in the form of a bull was a Cretan story; as classicist Károly Kerényi points out, "most of the love-stories concerning Zeus originated from more ancient tales describing his marriages with goddesses. This can especially be said of the story of Europa."
Cain is a biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He is the elder brother of Abel, and the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, the first couple within the Bible. He was a farmer who gave an offering of his crops to God. However, God was not pleased and favored Abel's offering over Cain's. Out of jealousy, Cain killed his brother, for which he was punished by God with the curse and mark of Cain. He had several children, starting with Enoch and including Lamech.
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The Tupi-Guarani mythology is the set of narratives about the gods and spirits of the different Tupi-Guarani peoples, ancient and current. Together with the cosmogonies, anthropogonies and rituals, they form part of the religion of these peoples.
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Sumerian religion was the religion practiced by the people of Sumer, the first literate civilization found in recorded history and based in ancient Mesopotamia, and what is modern day Iraq. The Sumerians widely regarded their divinities as responsible for all matters pertaining to the natural and social orders of their society.
Inca mythology is the universe of legends and collective memory of the Inca civilization, which took place in the current territories of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, incorporating in the first instance, systematically, the territories of the central highlands of Peru to the north.
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Sudika-mbambi is a hero and son of Kimanaueze and is an Ambundu mythological figure. He is featured in several Ambundu legends and is well-known for his feats as a child hero in Angolan folktales. His story also became the origin myth for thunderstorms, with Sudika-mbambi representing thunder.
Kabundungdulu is the twin brother of Sudika-mbambi and is an Ambundu mythological figure. He is part of an origin myth for thunderstorm, where he represents the sound of a thunder’s echo.
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Obassi is the supreme creator god of the people of Ekoi, who is based in Nigeria and Cameroon.
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Kejok is a mythic hero figure in the traditional religion of the Dinka people, who dwell in present-day Sudan.
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