Introducing Nigerian Mythology: The Shadow Sky 24/01/25

Nigerian Mythology

The Shadow Sky

Welcome to the Shadow Sky, Afrodeities' inaugural project. It will be the first in a series exploring African history, culture, and the pantheons of its traditions through the lens of mythology, prose, and poetry. Stories of deity queens, creator warrior deities and kings, and ancient prophecies are waiting to unfold.

Future works will examine the echoes of these historical myths and how they intertwine with Africa’s greatness, struggles and potential for recovery. There is so much to see and learn. Let's get started!

The Shadow Realms, which will focus on the mythology of the smaller and often overlooked tribes of Nigeria, will follow, and work on that is already underway. There are also some very exciting works in development in the Bakongo world and beyond.

The Shadow Sky

The Shadow Sky symbolizes the veil between the seen and unseen, the tangible and the spiritual, and how history, mythology, and culture intertwine. It reflects the duality of African cosmology: the balance between light and shadow, creation and obscuration, the physical and metaphysical. While the sky offers rain, sunlight, and storms, beneath its surface lies another realm—one of hidden gods, ancestral voices, and forgotten narratives. The Shadow Sky explores this duality, reclaiming stories long overshadowed by colonialism and modernity and celebrating the enduring power of Africa’s mythologies to inspire, guide, and illuminate.

Black King, an image of the Efik God Ekpeyong - water and fish are in his orbit

Not a Monolith

Nigeria’s mythology is as diverse as its people. Each ethnic group brings its own distinct lens to the shared themes of creation, destiny, and the human relationship with the divine. In this book, you’ll discover the unique worldviews of the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Efik, from the storm-bringing power of Ubanjiji to the life-affirming wisdom of Igwe. Despite their differences, these stories weave a tapestry of interconnected ideas, proving that diversity strengthens the whole. Nigerian mythology reminds us that there are many ways to tell the story of humanity and its relationship with the cosmos.

Thoroughly Modern and ahead of its time.

Nigerian Mythology: The Shadow Sky reveals a timeless yet forward-thinking ethos, showcasing deities and spirits championing inclusion, fairness, and environmental stewardship. Among the pantheon are disabled deities and spirits who defy stereotypes, proving that strength lies in diversity. With their campaigns for justice and harmony, these figures embody values that resonate strongly with today’s global conversations about equity, sustainability, and humanity’s connection to nature. The stories show that these ancient myths were not just reflections of their time but guiding lights for all times.

Art and Spirituality: An Intrinsic Connection

In Nigerian mythology, art and spirituality are inseparable, forming a vibrant, expressive interplay of creativity and worship. The Igbo Uli body art transforms the human form into a living canvas, and the Mbari shrines, created as offerings to the gods, exemplify this bond. Yoruba mythology celebrates dance, drumming, and music as sacred tools of connection, used by mortals and gods alike to commune and celebrate life. The Hausa Bori rituals and Efik masquerades remind us that art is not merely decorative but deeply spiritual—a medium through which myths are lived, performed, and passed down. Through these practices, the divine and the creative become one.

Spirits and Deities of the Nigerian Mythological Universe convene and converse in enchanted forests

an african village scene with thatch huts aand ceremonial mbari decorated with Uli art. A witch doct

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Hausa Bori spirits include both benevolent and mischievous figures, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and morality?

Did you know that Efik masquerades are said to embody the spirits of the ancestors, connecting the living to the wisdom of the past?

Did you know that Nigerian mythology's storms, rivers, and forests are not just settings but sacred realms where deities and spirits actively dwell and intervene.

a yound Black God with a beautiful hairstyle and spiritual art dotted around him with trance people

a woman in a blue dress holding a vase with water

Strong Female Representation

Across the Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, and Hausa mythologies, female deities hold positions of immense power, wisdom, and influence. From Ala, the Igbo goddess of the earth and morality, to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of love, fertility, and beauty, these figures embody resilience, creativity, and authority. The Hausa goddess Inna wields the transformative power of fire, while Efik female spirits command the waters with grace and fury. These women are not mere supporting characters—they are creators, warriors, judges, and healers who stand at the center of their cosmologies, showcasing the strength and agency of femininity in ways that transcend time.