The gods and goddesses of Africa are often deeply intertwined with the culture and history of its people. They are believed to have power over nature, society, and the spiritual realm, and are often depicted as benevolent, malevolent, or a combination of both. Many of these deities embody their respective communities’ values, beliefs, and traditions and are often called upon for guidance and protection.
Today, at the heart of these traditions, some gods are still worshipped by some Africans. The African traditional religion is one of the major religions alongside Christianity and Islam on the continent.
Some of The Most Well-known African Gods and Goddesses
Ogun
Authority: god of war and iron
Associated with: Iron
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Anzar
Authority: god of rain and water
Associated with: Rain
Worshippers: Berber people of Morocco
Takhar
Authority: Justice and vengeance
Associated with: Tree
Worshippers: Serer people of West Africa ( ethnic group found in Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania)
Tano
Authority: god of War and Strife (for Agni mythology), god of Thunder and Lightening (for Ashante mythology)
Associated with: River
Worshippers: Ashanti people of Ghana and Agni people of Lower Ivory Coast
Apedemak
Authority: War goddess
Associated with: Lion
Worshippers: Egyptian people
Oya
Authority: goddess of weather
Associated with: Wind, Thunderbolts, and Fire
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Olokun
Authority: god of great wealth
Associated with: Water
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Mukasa
Authority: god of prosperity, harvest, fertility, and health
Associated with: Island
Worshippers: Baganda people in present-day Uganda
Oko
Authority: god of Fertility, Agriculture, and Law
Associated with: Farm
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Shango
Authority: god of war and thunder
Associated with: Thunder and fire
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Aje
Authority: goddess of Trade and Economic prosperity
Associated with: Marketplace
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Amadioha
Authority: god of Justice
Associated with: Thunder
Worshippers: Igbo people of Nigeria
Obatala
Authority: god of Compassion
Associated with: honesty, purpose, purity, peace, the New Year, forgiveness, and resurrection
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Nana-buluku
Authority: Mother supreme creator
Associated with: Moon and Sun
Worshippers: Fon people of (Benin, Dahomey), Ewe people of (Togo)
Anyanwu
Authority: goddess of the sun
Associated with: Sun
Worshippers: Igbo people of Nigeria
Modjadji
Authority: goddess of rain
Associated with: Rain
Worshippers: People of the Limpopo Province of South Africa
Denka
Authority: god of fertility
Associated with: Rain
Worshippers: Dinka people of South Sudan
Asase Yaa
Authority: Earth goddess of fertility
Associated with: Earth
Worshippers: Ashanti people of Ghana
Yemaya
Authority: Childbirth goddess
Associated with: Ocean
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Obaluaye
Authority: god of healing
Associated with: Infectious diseases and healing
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Orunmila
Authority: god of Wisdom
Associated with: Humanity
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Nhialic
Authority: Supreme god
Associated with: Sky and Rain
Worshippers: Dinka people of South Sudan
Mebege
Authority: Creation god
Associated with: Spider(Dibobia)
Worshippers: Fang people of the Central African Republic
Arebati
Authority: Supreme god
Associated with: Moon
Worshippers: Efe people of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Roog
Authority: Supreme god
Associated with: Pangool
Worshippers: Serere people of Senegal
Qamata
Authority: Creator god
Associated with: Stones
Worshippers: Xhosa people of South-eastern African
Ngai
Authority: Creator god
Associated with: Mount Kenya and Mugumo tree
Worshippers: Kamba and Kikuyu people of Kenya
Adroa
Authority: Creator god
Associated with: Mankind and River
Worshippers: Lugbara people of the Central Sudanic ethnic group in the West Nile region of Uganda
Anubis
Authority: god of the death
Associated with: Underworld
Worshippers: Egyptian people
Njoku Ji
Authority: Guardian deity of the yam
Associated with: Farming season
Worshippers: Igbo people of Nigeria
Ikenga
Authority: god of human endeavor, achievement, success, and victory
Associated with: Right hand
Worshippers: Igbo people of Nigeria
Abena
Authority: goddess of the river
Associated with: Wealth symbols (such as Gold and Brass)
Worshippers: Effutu people from central Ghana
Kibuka
Authority: god of war
Associated with: Cloud
Worshippers: Buganda people of Uganda
Bumba
Authority: Creator god
Associated with: Vomit
Worshippers: Kuba people of Central Africa
Eshu
Authority: Trickster god
Associated with: Yam
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Oba
Authority: River goddess
Associated with: River
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Oduduwa
Authority: Creator goddess
Associated with: Earth
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Ogo
Authority: god of Chaos
Associated with: Pale Fox
Worshippers: Dogon people of Mali
Babalu Aye
Authority: Healer god
Associated with: Dogs
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Aje Shaluga
Authority: god of Money and Treasures
Associated with: Flowers, Fresh fruit, pigeons, and Necklaces
Worshippers: Yoruba people of Nigeria
Njambe
Authority: Supreme creator god
Associated with: Sickness and death
Worshippers: Loki or Boloki people of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Mami Wata
Authority: goddess of water
Associated with: Water
Worshippers: West Africa, some parts of Central and Southern Africa
Kaang
Authority: Creator god
Associated with: Mantis and Caterpillar
Worshippers: Bushmen people of southern Africa
Gu
Authority: god of Blacksmithing
Associated with: Metal
Worshippers: African
Maher
Authority: god of war
Associated with: Mars or Ares
Worshippers: Aksumites and the Himyarites people of Ethiopia
Modimo
Authority: god of all good things
Associated with: Earth
Worshippers: Botswanans
Age
Authority: god of the hunters, the wilderness, and animals
Associated with: Forest
Worshippers: Fon people of Dahomey
Avrikiti
Authority: god of Fishermen
Associated with: water
Worshippers: Fon people of Dahomey
See Also: 12 Famous African Gods and Goddesses With Unbelievable Capabilities
Mawu-Lisa
Authority: creator goddess
Associated with: Moon and Sun
Worshippers: Fon people of Dahomey
Amun
Authority: god of the air and sun
Associated with: Ram
Worshippers: Egyptians
