{"product_id":"african-mythology-a-to-z","title":"African Mythology A to Z by Patricia Ann Lynch , Jeremy Roberts","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAfrican Mythology A to Z by Patricia Ann Lynch , Jeremy Roberts \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eRather than limiting their scope to a handful of well-known stories, the authors organize hundreds of entries across Africa's primary cultural and geographic zones. This structural blueprint helps readers map out the distinct pantheons and ancestral landscapes of the continent:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. West African Cosmic Orders\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eThe handbook places significant emphasis on the complex, highly structured urban pantheons of West Africa:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Yoruba Pantheon (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"21\"\u003eOrishas\u003c\/i\u003e):\u003c\/b\u003e Detailed breakdowns of highly distinct spiritual forces such as \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"95\"\u003eOlodumare\u003c\/b\u003e (the supreme creator), \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"128\"\u003eShango\u003c\/b\u003e (god of thunder and lightning), \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"167\"\u003eOgun\u003c\/b\u003e (deity of iron and warfare), and \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"205\"\u003eYemaya\u003c\/b\u003e (mother goddess of the oceans).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Fon and Ashanti Systems:\u003c\/b\u003e Exploration of the Dahomey (Fon) creation cycles led by the twin creator deities \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"110\"\u003eMawu-Lisa\u003c\/b\u003e, and the Ashanti stories centered around the supreme sky god \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"181\"\u003eNyame\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. East and Central African Dynamics\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eShifting to the pastoralist and agrarian networks of the Rift Valley and the Congo Basin:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Maasai and Kikuyu Beliefs:\u003c\/b\u003e Profiles on localized sky and mountain deities, such as \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"87\"\u003eEnkai\u003c\/b\u003e (the dual-natured Maasai god of rain and drought) and \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"147\"\u003eMurungu\u003c\/b\u003e (the creator residing atop Mount Kenya).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Buganda Kingdom:\u003c\/b\u003e Entries tracing the complex lineage of the \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"64\"\u003eBalubaale\u003c\/i\u003e (deified heroes and nature spirits), including \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"121\"\u003eKibuuka\u003c\/b\u003e, the ancient god of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eBeyond simple definitions, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"18\" data-index-in-node=\"27\"\u003eAfrican Mythology A to Z\u003c\/i\u003e serves as an educational tool that unpacks the fundamental themes underpinning sub-Saharan thought:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. The High God and the Divine Bureaucracy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"20\"\u003eA universal pattern highlighted throughout the reference manual is the concept of a \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"84\"\u003eSupreme High God\u003c\/b\u003e who created the universe but eventually distanced themselves from humanity due to a cosmic misunderstanding or human transgression. Consequently, everyday spiritual life does not involve appealing directly to this remote creator. Instead, humans interact with a network of lesser gods, nature spirits, and divine intermediaries who act as celestial bureaucrats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. The Living Dead (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"20\"\u003eAncestral Veneration\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003eThe handbook beautifully explains that in African cosmology, death is not a permanent exit from society. Ancestors are categorized as the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"138\"\u003eliving dead\u003c\/b\u003e—active, deeply invested members of the family unit who protect their descendants, enforce moral codes, and punish societal violations. Multiple entries explain how libations, offerings, and naming rituals are vital communication technologies used to maintain a balanced contract with these ancestral guardians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage: English.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre: Mythology.\u003cspan class=\"BookPageMetadataSection__genreButton\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality: Premium Quality Books.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting: High Quality Printing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCover: Matt cover (Paperback).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Books BD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47274758308025,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/0874\/6169\/files\/African_Mythology_A_to_Z.jpg?v=1779472374","url":"https:\/\/royalbooksbd.com\/products\/african-mythology-a-to-z","provider":"Royal Books BD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}