Nzame is the supreme creator god featured in the mythologies of the Fang people of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cameroon. The name is used to refer to a trinity of deities, which included Nzame, Mebere and Nkwa and is also used in reference to Nzame, one of the members of this trinity. [1] [2] [3] [4]
As the trinity of gods, Nzame is in charge of creating the universe and everything in it. As one of the three deities, Nzame manages the heavenly bodies, Mebere and Nkwa are in charge of the female and male aspects of creation, which include certain traits such as leadership (Mebere) and beauty (Nkwa). [1] [2]
After the members of the trinity, Nzame, created the universe, Mebere and Nkwa suggested to Nzame that they chose a leader for the newly created earth. At first, three animals were picked to lead earth: the elephant, the leopard, and the monkey. However, Nzame disagreed and so three gods created the first human, Fam. Fam was originally a lizard created by Mebere, who after eight days, turned into the first man on earth. He was gifted with abilities from all three gods and was told to rule the earth. The three gods then returned to the heavens. [1] [2] [3]
Unfortunately, after a certain amount of time had passed, it was discovered that Fam was a cruel leader, who oppressed the animals on earth. Fam also decided to turn his back on Nzame, who eventually found what happened. In response, Nzame destroyed everything on earth—except for Fam, who was bestowed with immortality. Fam was never seen again afterwards, although he still lived. He later became a malevolent mythological figure who preyed on other humans. [1] [2] [3]
Nzame, Mebere, and Nkwa then re-created earth and made a new human, Sekume. Unlike, Fam, Sekume can die. He became the ancestor of the Fang people after he created his wife, Mbongwe, from a tree. [1] [2] [3]
A creator deity or creator god is a deity responsible for the creation of the Earth, world, and universe in human religion and mythology. In monotheism, the single God is often also the creator. A number of monolatristic traditions separate a secondary creator from a primary transcendent being, identified as a primary creator.
In Maya mythology, Cabaguil was a solar god who assisted in the creation of human beings.
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Onyame, Nyankopon (Onyankapon) or Odomankoma is the supreme god of the Akan people of Ghana, who is most commonly known as Anyame. The name means "The one who knows and sees everything", and "omniscient, omnipotent sky deity" in the Akan language.
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Comparative mythology is the comparison of myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics. Comparative mythology has served a variety of academic purposes. For example, scholars have used the relationships between different myths to trace the development of religions and cultures, to propose common origins for myths from different cultures, and to support various psychoanalytical theories.
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Akan religion comprises the traditional beliefs and religious practices of the Akan people of Ghana and eastern Ivory Coast. Akan religion is referred to as Akom. Although most Akan people have identified as Christians since the early 20th century, Akan religion remains practiced by some and is often syncretized with Christianity. The Akan have many subgroups, so the religion varies greatly by region and subgroup. Similar to other traditional religions of West and Central Africa such as West African Vodun, Yoruba religion, or Odinani, Akan cosmology consists of a senior god who generally does not interact with humans and many gods who assist humans.
A cosmic ocean, primordial waters, or celestial river is a mythological motif that represents the world or cosmos enveloped by a vast primordial ocean. Found in many cultures and civilizations, the cosmic ocean exists before the creation of the Earth. From the primordial waters the Earth and the entire cosmos arose. The cosmic ocean represents or embodies chaos. The concept of a watery chaos also underlies the widespread motif of the worldwide flood that took place in early times. The emergence of earth from water and the curbing of the global flood or underground waters are usually presented as a factor in cosmic ordering.
Kayra or Kaira is the creator god in Turkic mythology. He is the god who planted the tree of life called Ulukayın. Kayra is described as both father and mother, and resides in the 17th layer of heaven.
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The Serer creation myth is the traditional creation myth of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania. Many Serers who adhere to the tenets of the Serer religion believe these narratives to be sacred. Some aspects of Serer religious and Ndut traditions are included in the narratives contained herein but are not limited to them.
Mebege is the Supreme God of the Fang people of the Central African Republic.
Ngewo is the supreme creator god of the people of Mende from Sierra Leone.
Bemba is the creator god in the traditional religion of the Bambara people of Mali. The name is used to refer to Bemba, who is portrayed as a god consisting of four distinct beings and is sometimes used to refer to one of its members, Pemba. Although Bemba is often referred to as male, the union of these four beings as Bemba is hermaphroditic, with the male aspects represented by Pemba and Ndomadyiri, while the female aspects are represented by Nyale and Faro.
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