Abonsam is a malevolent spirit from the Gold Coast region of West Africa, blamed for causing accidents and disease. Local shamans drive him into the sea using rituals involving prolonged silence and loud noises. His feared presence underscores the cultural significance of spiritual evil in Ghanaian folklore.

Abonsam

The Adze is a vampiric being from Ewe folklore in Togo and Ghana. It primarily appears as a firefly before transforming into a human form upon capture. This creature possesses the ability to control humans, draining their blood and causing misfortune in its wake.

Adze (folklore)

Agadzagadza is a trickster figure from the Bura mythology of Nigeria, depicted as a male agama lizard. He plays a crucial role in explaining the origin of death in his culture. His cunning and deceptive nature embodies the archetypal trickster in West African folklore.

Agadzagadza

Agemo is a chameleon serving as the divine messenger in Yoruba mythology. He faithfully carries messages for Olorun, the head of the Yoruba pantheon. His unique form embodies the connection between the divine and mortal realms.

Agemo (deity)

Amadioha is the Igbo god of thunder and lightning, revered as a divine enforcer of justice. He strikes down oppressors on behalf of the oppressed. His worship remains culturally significant despite the rise of Christianity.

Amadioha

Ayida-Weddo is a powerful Vodou loa spirit revered as the Rainbow Serpent, governing fertility and elemental forces. She plays a crucial role in creation and cosmic stability. Her benevolence and teachings foster a profound connection between the body and spirit.

Ayida-Weddo

Damballa is a revered loa spirit in West African Vodun and Haitian Vodou traditions, traditionally depicted as a great serpent and sometimes as a rainbow. He embodies creation, fertility, and wisdom, serving as a vital link between the physical and spiritual realms. Originating from Wedo in modern-day Benin, his mystical presence has inspired generations of devotees.

Damballa

Egbere is a malevolent spirit from Yoruba mythology, known for its constant crying and association with a small mat of wealth. It is described as short in stature and roams the woods at night. The spirit embodies the paradox of misfortune and potential fortune within Yoruba folklore.

Egbere

Hevioso is an African voodoo deity revered as the god of thunder, lightning, and rain. He is known for his righteous judgment and his ability to mete out punishment via violent thunderbolts. Depicted as a formidable man wielding a ritual axe, he bridges historical legacy with divine power.

Hevioso

Ikenga is a horned deity in Igbo tradition symbolizing personal strength, achievement, and destiny. It is a revered cultural artifact maintained in personal altars and shrines among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. Synonymous with Christian Angel Michael, Ikenga embodies both spiritual empowerment and martial prowess.

Ikenga

Lwa are spiritual entities in Haitian Vodou that act as intermediaries between humans and the divine. They are renowned for their distinct personalities and associated ritual symbols, including specific colours and objects. During ceremonies, they possess practitioners to offer guidance, healing, and divinatory insights.

Madam Koi Koi is a vengeful ghost from Nigerian urban legend that haunts boarding schools. She is typically depicted wearing a pair of red heels or a single red heel, which has become her signature. Her presence is a popular cautionary tale used to warn students against irregular attendance practices.

Madam Koi Koi

Mbeku is a trickster tortoise from Igbo and West African folktales known for his cunning and deceptive nature. His hard, ornate shell belies a mind that is exceptionally resourceful. Through his adventures, he challenges traditional power dynamics and teaches moral lessons through subterfuge.

Mbeku

The Obayifo is a vampire/witch-like entity from West African Ashanti folklore, known for its ability to inhabit human bodies and transform its appearance. It displays unusual features such as shifty eyes and phosphorescent emissions during nocturnal journeys. This malevolent creature, akin to the Dahomey asiman, embodies the fear of supernatural possession and witchcraft.

Obayifo

Olokun is a revered orisha of the deep ocean in Yoruba religion, known for bestowing wealth, health, and prosperity. They govern all bodies of water with an enigmatic and transformative presence. Their androgynous nature reflects the fluidity and multifaceted character of divinity in Yoruba culture.

Coastal West African Creatures