Goddess creator, mother of all people, Nyame in Africa

image from http://journeyingintothegoddess.wordpress.com

 



The concept of Goddess Creator, mother of all people, is common throughout Africa, although Her name may vary according to place. For example, in southern Ghana, during their early history when society was organized on a matrilineal basis, Nyame was their most important deity. She was worshipped as the creator goddess who made humans out of water, the supreme deity of the Ashanti people. She is the vital force of creation whose female nature appears as the Moon and whose male aspect takes the form of the Sun. It is as the Moon goddess, that Nyame is the mother of the Cosmos.

Nyame had numerous symbols—each aspect of her had one or more. The triangle, denoting Her power over the heavens, the earth, and the underworld, was Her symbol as creator and Supreme Being. The Full Moon, a circle, symbolized the Great Mother. Nyame is all knowing, all powerful. Her permission must be asked before a grave can be dug, for the earth is her body. It is Nyame who gives the soul its life and destiny and lovingly receives Her children when they die.

In many areas of Africa, carved ceremonial figures of the Nyame reveal the widespread reverence for Her, and She is invoked to open a new field before planting. 

 

- with thanks to http://reclaimingthedarkgoddess.blogspot.com 

Nkosazane, Goddess of Africa

“African Spirit Series II” by Ricardo Chávez-Méndez

 

 

Inkosazana is the personification of nature, the African goddess of agriculture. She is sometimes referred to as Nomkhubulwane and Her dwelling place is in the rivers and the forests surrounding them. She is a very popular and much loved goddess who is known by Her people as Lady Heaven who rules the celestial bodies and the lives of women and girls. She is always young because She has not children of Her own. She is responsible primarily for cereal grains which is an important element of the Zulu diet. And, as the rain goddess, She is often associated with rainbows.

In fact, She can manifest as a rainbow, a snake, a mermaid, a beautiful white woman, or as the life-giving rain, but She is not commonly seen. It is said that the primitive men knew her. No one existing at the present time ever saw her...or perhaps they did and knew it not. As the deity of agriculture, She is called upon in the Spring to bring fertility to the land; as the sender of rains for the growing crops and protects the women and girls who hoe the fields, but for the season to go well it is necessary when hoeing the field of Inkosazana for the women to get rid of any ill feelings they may have towards others.

 

- with thanks to http://reclaimingthedarkgoddess.blogspot.com