African Deities

Africa as we know is the second largest continent and also the second most populated in the whole world.
As a continent with more than 1.2billion people,it has so many tribes scattered all over, with different cultures and heritage.

But, I want to talk about Nigeria, one of the countries in the western part of Africa and precisely on the Igbo nation, one of the major ethnic group in this great country.

In Igbo land,there are so many gods or deities, both male and female.
This gods were so much recognized until the arrival of Christianity.

But before that, these gods ranged from the biggest to the smallest all very important and powerfully playing various roles in ensuring stability in the Igbo nation.

There was;

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Amadioha (The god of thunder): It's a male god,considered the fairest. Importantly, he is the god of thunder and lightening, dreaded and feared among both gods and men.
Though feared,he is a god of justice and fairness. He protects his own. He fights evil by sending thunder and lightening to kill it's victim.

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Ani (goddess of the soil); Ani is known as one of the most important goddess. She is the goddess of fertility and abundance. Sacrifices are always made for her especially during planting and consequently harvest period. This is done because the people believe she makes the soil bring forth good and bountiful harvest. Anytime she is offended by maybe sacrificial delay or non at all, her anger causes a lot of havoc to plants and pregnant mothers.
She is believed to be a wife to amadioha, the god of thunder.

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Anyanwu (goddess of the sun): She is believed to be the eye of the supreme being. She is also considered a messenger and a visionary. People usually went to her for divination.

All these gods were respected and obeyed. The had rules by which the people must follow if they were still willing to live under their protection.

Of course the communicated with the people but not directly. Their was either a priest or a *priestess *chosen by the gods to serve as an intercessor.
He/she made sure the people carried out all their instructions to the latter. And also relayed when necessary, the consequences if things were not done accordingly. He also helped beg these gods on behalf of the people whenever they erred.

The gods provided ranging from rain to sun, dew, mist and fog
They made sure the people had abundance of harvest and children enough to carry each family's name.
They provided good health by knowing and telling the priest the herbs that could cure certain ill healths.
They among other things help them fight their battles,win their wars and also conquer territories.

But of course their must be a reward for all these good deeds.

Some gods demand little as a price for their work while others just asked for too much.
Some cared to be put in mud houses and poured divination to every morning.
Some asked to be worshipped by all households. Of course all these are fair.

Most demanded for sacrifices both animal and human, to be made for them. While some will choose in at least ones in two years others might choose twice in a year.

They people don't dare say no or go contrary to these demands. This was because the wraths and punishments the face from these are always so fierce and unspeakable. These gods don't take no for an answer and they are never ready to go into negotiations.

These consequences sometimes range down from famine, to the death of many families.
Or the drying up of rivers and also death of livestock . Breaking out of diseases and other uncontrollable happenings.
These might only be stopped if they people finally carryout that which they had earlier been instructed to do.