African Mythological Creatures
This category surveys African mythology and folklore across diverse language families and landscapes. Expect context on oral epics, praise songs, initiation rites, ancestral veneration, divination, and sacred groves. We note how stories move through caravan trade, river networks, and coastal markets, and how archives in Arabic, Ajami, and European languages record them. Influences from Indigenous practice, Islam, and Christianity shape motifs of kingship, rainmaking, healing, and protection. Names may vary across languages and colonial spellings, so transliteration guidance is included. Use the tiles to explore regions and subregions, then open cards for sources, performance notes, and iconography.
Browse African Subcategories
Discover legendary beings from Central African traditions.
View creaturesDiscover legendary beings from East African traditions.
View creaturesDiscover legendary beings from Horn of Africa traditions.
View creaturesDiscover legendary beings from North African traditions.
View creaturesDiscover legendary beings from Southern African traditions.
View creaturesDiscover legendary beings from West African traditions.
View creatures