Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part series that provides excerpts from a 2012 post from the blog "Trip Down Memory Lane"* http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2012/09/africans-and-their-names-for-god.html
Part II provides a list compiled by John S. Mbiti of traditional African names for the Supreme Deity. The Addendum to this post provides information about Professor Mbiti.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/god-divinities-and-spirits-in-african.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides excerpts from the 2010 paper "God, Divinities and Spirits In African Traditional Religious ontology" by Rev. Emeka C. Ekeke and Dr. Chike A. Ekeopara.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and religious purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
*Unfortunately, the comment section of every post that I've visited on that Trip Down Memory Lane blog contains extensive x rated spam.
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Part II
Pancocojams Editor's Note: This list is quoted in its entirety.
"AFRICANS AND THEIR NAMES FOR GOD
Originally compiled by Prof. John Mbiti
ABALUYIA (Kenya): Wele, Nyasaye, Nabongo, Khakaba, Isaywa.
ACHOLI (Uganda): Juok or Jok, Lubanga
ADJURU (Côte d’Ivoire): Nyam
AFUSARE (Nigeria): Daxunum
AKAMBA (Kenya): Mulungu, Ngai, Mumbi, Mwatuangi, Asa
AKAN (Ghana): Nyame, Nana Nyankopon, Onyame, Amowia, Amosu, Amaomee, Totorobonsu, Brekyirihunuade, Abommubuwafre, Nyaamanekose, Tetekwaframua, Nana, Borebore, Nyame Nwu Na Mawu
Nyame nwu na mawu (loosely translated, "God does not die, so I cannot die") is the Akan adinkra, or proverb, that symbolizes the continuity of the human spirit in temporal affairs. This idea envisions death as a transition between physical and immaterial states of being, with the dead remaining consequential players in the societies in which they lived.
ALUR (Uganda, Congo DR): Jok, Jok Rubanga, Jok Nyakaswiya, Jok Odudu, Jok Adranga, Jok Atar
AMBA (Uganda): Nyakara
AMBO (Zambia): Lesa, Cuta
ANKORE (Uganda): Ruhanga, Nyamuhanga, Omuhangi, Rugaba, Kazooba, Mukameiguru, Kazooba Nyamuhanga
ANUAK (Sudan): Juok
ARUSHA (Tanzania): Engai
ASANTE (Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire): Nyame, Onyankopon, Bore-Bore, Otumfoo, Otomankoma, Ananse Kokroko, Onyankopon Kwame
AUSHI (Zambia): Makumba
AZANDE (Sudan): Mbori or Mboli, Bapaizegino
BACHWA (Congo): Djakomba, Djabi
BACONGO (Angola): Nzambi
BAKENE (Uganda): Gasani
BAKWENA-TSWANA (Botswana): Modimo
BALESE (Congo): Katshonde, Tole, Mongo, Mbali, Londi
BALUBA (Congo): Leza, Lesa-Waba
BAMBARA (Mali): Jalang
BAMBUTI (Congo): Arebati, Epilipili, Baatsi
BAMILEKE (Cameroon): Si
BAMUM (Cameroon): Njinyi or Nui, Yorubang
BANEN (Cameroon): Hoel, Kolo, Ombang
BANYARWANDA (Rwanda): Imana, Hategekimana, Hashakimana, Habyarimana, Ndagijimana, Habimana, Bizimana, Bigirimana, Ruremakwaci
BANYORO (Uganda): Ruhanga.
BARI (Sudan): Ngun
BAROTSE (Zambia): Lesa, Nyambe
BARUNDI (Burundi): Imana, Rangicavyose, Rugiravyose, Indavyi, Rurema, Rugoba, Haragakiza, Harerimana, Rutunga, Rutangaboro, Segaba, Umusemyi, Mushoboravyose, Nyeninganyi, Rushoboravyose, Ntakimunanira, Inchanyi, Ruremabibondo, Rufashaboro, Ntirandekuva
BASA (Nigeria): Agwatana
BASOGA (Uganda): Kibumba, Kiduma, Kyaka, Nambubi, Lubanga
BASUTO (Lesotho): Molimo
BAVENDA (South Africa): Raluvhimba, Mwari
BAYA (Central African Republic): So, Zambi
BEIR (Sudan): Tummu
BEMBA (Zambia): Lesa, Mulungu, Mwandanshi, Tengenene, Katebebe, Kaleka-Misuma, Kapekape, Kalamfya-Milalo, Kanshiwabikwa, Kashawaliko, Mulopwe, Mwine-twalo, Nalusandulula, Naluntuntwe, Nalwebela, Nafukatila, Kalenga, Nakabumba, Ndubulwila
BENA (Tanzania): Mulungu
BINAWA (Nigeria): Kashiri
BIRIFOR (Ghana): We, Nawe, Wene, Yini
BONDEI (Tanzania): Mlungu
BONGO (Sudan): Loma, Hege
BORAN (Ethiopia, Kenya): Waqa
BULU (Cameroon): Mebee
BURJI-KONSO (Ethiopia): Illalei, Bambelle,
CHAGGA (Tanzania): Ruwa
CHAWAI (Nigeria): Bawai
CHEWA (Malawi): Mulungu, Namalenga, Leza, Cham'njili, Mphambe, Chisumphi, Chanta, Mlengi, Mlamulili, Mcizi, Mpulumutsi, Mlezi, Wolera, Mtetezi, Muweluzi
CHOKWE (Angola): Kalunga, Zambi
CHOPI (Mozambique): Tilo
DIDINGA (Sudan): Tamukujen
DIGO (Kenya): Mulungu
DILLING (Sudan): Abradi
DINKA (Sudan): Nhialic, Acek, Jok
DOGON (Burkina Faso, Mali): Amma
DOREI (Nigeria): Nillah
DUALA (Cameroon): Loba, Owasi, Iwonde, Ebasi
DUNGI (Nigeria): Kasiri, Kashira
DURUMA (Kenya): Mulungu
EBRIE (Ivory Coast): Nyangka
EDO (Nigeria): Osanobua, Osa
EGEDE (Nigeria): Ohe
EKOI (Cameroon, Nigeria): Osawa, Nsi
ELGEYO (Kenya): Asis
EMBU (Kenya): Ngai
EWE (Benin, Ghana, Togo): Mawu
FAJULU (Sudan): Ngun
FANG (Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea): Nzeme, Nyame
FANTI (Ghana): Nyame, Nyankopon, Twerempong
FINGO (South Africa): Qamata
FON (Benin): Mawu-Lisa
GA (Ghana): Dzemawon, Numbo
GAALIN (Sudan): Allat, Uzza, Manat
GANDA (Uganda): Katonda, Kagingo, Mukama, Ssewannaku, Ddunda, Lugaba, Ssebintu, Liisoddene, Nnyiniggulu, Kazooba, Namuginga, Ssewaunaku, Gguluddene, Namugereka
GBARI (Nigeria): Shekohi, Sheshu, Soko, Esse, Sheko
GELABA (Ethiopia): Yer
GIKUYU (Kenya): Murungu, Ngai, Mwenenyaga
GIRYAMA (Kenya): Mulungu
GISU (Uganda): Wele or Weri, Omubumbi, Wele Wehangagi
GOFA (Ethiopia): Tsuossa
GOGO (Tanzania): Mulungu
GRUNSHI (Ghana): We
GUMUZ (Ethiopia): Robboqua, Fogatza, Musa, Musa Gueza
GUSII (Kenya): Erioba (Sun)
GWERE (Uganda): Kibumba
HADYA (Ethiopia): Wa'a
HAYA (Tanzania): Ishwanga
HEHE (Tanzania): Nguluvi
HERERO (Namibia ): Ndjambi Karunga, Mukuru
HOTTENTOS (South Africa): Utixo
IBIBIO (Nigeria): Abassi, Chuku
IDOMA (Nigeria): Owo, Owoico
IGBIRA (Nigeria): Hinegba, Ihinegba
IGBO (Nigeria): Chukwu, Chi, Chineke, Olisa bi n’igwé
IJAW (Nigeria): Egbesu
ILA (Zambia): Leza, Chilenga, Lubumba, Shakapanga, Namulenga, Mutalabala, Namakungwe, Muninde, Chaba, Ipaokubozha, Ushatwakwe, Shakatabwa, Mangwe, Shakemba, Kemba, Namesi, Munamazuba, Luvhunabaumba, Mukubwe, Chembwe, Munakasungwe, Chaba-wakaaba-ochitadiwa, Shikakunamo
INDEM (Nigeria): Osowo
INGASSANA (Ethiopia): Tel
ITSEKIRI (Nigeria): Oritse
IYALA (Nigeria): Owo
JIE (Uganda): Akuj
JUKUN (Nigeria): Shido or Chido, Ama or Ma
JUMJUM (Sudan): Dyong
KADARA (Nigeria): Onum
KAFA (Ethiopia): Yaro
KANGORO (Nigeria): Gwaza
KAIBI (Nigeria): Kashiri or Kashira
KAKWA (Sudan): Nguleso
KAMASYA (Kenya): Asis
KAONDE (Zambia): Lesa
KARAMOJA (Uganda): Akuj
KARANGA (Zimbabwe): Nyadenga
KATAB (Nigeria): Gwaza
KEMANT (Ethiopia): Sanbat
KIGA (Uganda): Ruhanga, Sebahanga, Kazoba, Rugaba, Biheko
KIPSIGIS (Kenya): Asis, Chebtalel, Cheptolel, Chebango, Ngolo
KISSI (Guinea, Liberia): Hala
KITMI (Nigeria): Kashila or Kashiri
KOMA (Ethiopia): Yere Siezi, War, Wal
KONJO (Congo, Uganda): Nyamahanga
KONKOMBA (Ghana, Togo): Omborr
KONO (Sierra Leone): Meketa, Yataa
KONSO (Ethiopia): Bamballe, Adota, Waq
KONY (Kenya): Asis
KOREKORE (Zimbabwe): Wokumusoro, Musiki ,Chikara, Dzivaguru
KPE (Cameroon): Lova or Loba
KPELLE (Liberia): Yala
KRACHI (Togo): Wulbari
KUCA (Ethiopia): Tosso
KUKU (Sudan): Uletet, Ngulaitait or Nguletet
KULLO (Ethiopia): Tosa
KUBA (Congo): Nceme, Mbombo, Njambe
KUNG (Namibia ): Khu, Xu, Xuba, Huwa
KURAMA (Nigeria): Ashili, Bakashili
KYIGA (Uganda): Weri
LALA (Zambia): Lesa, Mulenga, Cuuta, Lucele
LAMBA (Zambia): Lesa
LANGO (Uganda): Jok
LELE (Congo): Njambi
LENDU (Congo): Gindri
LIMBA (Sierra Leone): Kanu, Masala, Masaranka
LOBI (Côte d’Ivoire): Tangba You
LODAGAA (Ghana, Burkina Faso): Na'angmin
LOGO (Congo): Tore, Ore, Ori, Djuka
LOKOIYA (Sudan): Oicok
LOTUKO (Sudan): Ajok, Naijok
LOZI (Zambia): Nyambe
LUAPULA (Zambia): Lesa
LUGBARA (Congo, Uganda): Adroa or Adronga, Adro
LUGURU (Tanzania): Mulungu
LUIMBE (Angola): Nzambi, Kalunga
LUNDA-LUENA (Angola, Congo, Zambia) Nzambi, Kalunga, Sakatanga
LUO (Kenya): Nyasaye, Wang' Chieng', Nyakolaga, Were, Tham, Wuonwa, Wuon kwere, Wuon ji, Ja Mrima, Jan'gwono, Jahera, Nyakalaga, Janen, Wuon Ogendni, Hono, Polo, Wuon lowo, Ratego, Jalweny, Kwar ji, Rahuma, Piny k'nyal, Wuon oru, Ruodh Ruodhi, Wang' Chieng', Nyakolaga, Uworo
LUVEDU (South Africa): Khuzwane, Mwari
MAASAI (Kenya, Tanzania): En-kai, Engai, N'gai, Ai, Parsai, Emayian
MADI (Uganda): Ori, Rabanga
MAHRAKA (Sudan): Mboli
MALE (Ethiopia): Sosi
MDINGE (Guinea, Mali): Gala, Guele, Jalang
MAMVU-MANGUTU (Congo): Mai, Oti, Tore, Kundumbendu, Oto
MAO (Ethiopia): Yere, Yeretsi
MASONGO (Ethiopia): Waqaio
MATENGO (Malawi): Ciuta, Mulungu, Mlezi, Cisumphi
MEBAN (Sudan): Juong
MEKAN (Ethiopia): Tuma
MENDI (Sierra Leone): Ngewo, Leve)
MERU (Kenya): Murungu, Ngai, Mwene inya
MONDARI (Sudan): Ngun
MORU (Sudan): Lu
MOSSI (Burkina Faso): Winnam, Ouennam, Winde, Naba Zidiwinde
MURLE (Ethiopia): Tummu
NAMA (Namibia): Tsui-Goeb (Supreme Being), Cagn or Kaang, Khub, Nanub
NANDI (Kenya): Asis, Cheptalil, Chepkeliensokol or Chepkelienpokol, Chepopkoiyo, Chebonamuni
NDEBELE (Zimbabwe): Unkulunkulu, Umlimo, Mwali
NDOGO (Sudan): Mbiri, Mviri
NGOMBE (Congo): Akongo, Bilikonda, Ebangala, Ebangala-e-mokonda, Eliamokonda, EliMalima, Endandala
NGONDE (Malawi): Kyala, Mbepo Mwikemo, Ndolombwike, Kamanyimanyi, Mpoki
NGONI (Malawi): Unkurukuru, Utixo, Inkosi, Umkulunqango, Uluhlanga, Umkulu Kakulu, Umnikaze we zinto zonke
NKUM (Nigeria): Oshowo, Ebutokpabi
NKUNDO (Congo): Djakomba
NSÓ (Cameroon): Nyuỳ
NUBA (Sudan) Kalo, Elo, Bel, Bel Epti, Kando, Kwarak, Masala, Elem
NUER (Sudan): Kwoth
NUPE (Nigeria): Soko
NYAKYUSA (Tanzania): Kyala, Tenende, Nkurumuke, Chata Kyaubiri, Kalesi, Ndorombwike, Mperi
NYANJA (Zambia, Malawi): Mulungu, Cuata, Leza, Mphamba, Cisumphi, Cimjili Namalenga or Nyamalenga or Mlengi
OKIET (Kenya): Asis
OROMO (Ethiopia, Kenya): Waqa
ORRI (Nigeria): Lokpata
OVIMBUNDU (Angola): Suku, Usovoli
PARE (Tanzania): Kyumbi, Mrungu, Izuva
PITI (Nigeria): Ure
POKOMO (Kenya): Muungu
POKOT (Kenya): Tororut, Ilat
PONDO (South Africa): uDali, uMenzi, u Tixo
PYGMY (Congo): Kmvoum
PYEM (Nigeria): Wudidi
RABAI (Kenya): Mulungu
RISHUWA (Nigeria): Kashiri, Kasiri
RUKUBA (Nigeria): Katakuru
RUMAIYA (Nigeria): Kashillo, Kashira
SAFWA (Tanzania): Nguruvi
SONATA (Congo): Nja
SAN (Botswana, Namibia): Urezhwa
SANDAWE (Tanzania): Waronge, Murungu
SANGAMA (Ethiopia): Zabi
SEBEI (Uganda): Oiki, Oinotet
SERER (Gambia, Senegal): Rog
SHERBRO-BULLOM-KRIM (Sierra Leone): Hobatoke
SHILLUK (Sudan): Juok
SHONA (Zimbabwe): Mwari, Nyadenga, Wokumusoro, Gore, Runji, Chipindikure, Chirozva-mauya Chirazamauya, Sagomakoma, Musiki, Muvumbi, Marure, Musikavanhu, Dzivaguru, Chidziva, Mutangakugara, Muwanikwa, Mupavose, Wemumbepo, Muponesi, Muyaradzi, Muratidzi
SIDAMO (Ethiopia): Magano
SONGHAY (Nigeria): Yerkoy
SONJO (Tanzania): Mugwe, Riob
SOTHO (Lesotho): Molimo, Molimo o matle
SRUBU (Nigeria): Kasiri, Kahiri
SUKUMA-NYAMWEZI (Tanzania): Mulungu, Mungu, Seba, Kube, Kube-Nyangasa, Limi, Linyabangwe, Liwelelo, Ng'wenekili, Ling'wenekili, Likubala
SURI-SUMMA (Ethiopia): Tuma
SWAZI (Swaziland): Mkulumncandi, Umkhulumncandi, Inkosatana, Umvelingquangi
TALLENZI (Ghana, Burkina Faso): We, Wene, Nawe, Nabwe
TEITA (Kenya): Mlungu
TEMBU (South Africa): uTixo
TEMNE (Sierra Leone): Kuru, Kurumasaba
TENDA (Guinea): Hounounga
TESO (Uganda): Akuj, Apap, Edeke, Lokasuban
TEUSO (Uganda): Didikwari, Nakwit
THONGS (South Africa, Mozambique): Tilo, Hosi, Xikwembu
TIKAR (Cameroon): Nyooiy
TIV (Nigeria): Aondo
TLHAPING (South Africa): Modimo
TONGA (Malawi, Zambia): Tilo, Chiuta or Ciuta, Leza, Mlengi, Chata, Nyangoi, Wamu yaya, Wanthazizose, Mkana Nyifwa, Kajeti, Mtaski, Msungi, Mlezi, Mlengavuwa, Mnanda, Mananda, Mangazi
TOPOSA (Sudan): Nakwuge
TORO (Uganda): Nkya, Ruhanga, Kagaba, Nyamuhanga
TSWANA (Botswana, South Africa): Modimo
TUMBUKA (Malawi): Chiuta, Mulengi, Leza, Mwati, Mweni-Nkongono, Kajilengi, Wamtatakuya, Cinyetenyete, Mweneco, Mupi, Cilera-balanda, Karonga wa mabanja, Cimbatakwinya, Kamphanda, Kamanyimanyi, Wamalumya
TURKANA (Kenya): Akuj
TURU (Tanzania): Murungu, Matunda
TWI (Benin, Ghana): Onyankopon
UDHUK (Ethiopia): Arumgimis
URHOBO-ISOKO (Nigeria): Oghene, Oghenukpabe
VAI (Liberia): Kamba
VENDA (South Africa): Nwali
VILI (Congo) : Nzambi Mpungu
VUGUSU (Kenya): Wele
WALAMO (Ethiopia): Tosa
XAM (South Africa): Kaang, Kaggen, Huwu or Huwe
XHOSA (South Africa): uThixo, uDali (Maker, Creator ), uMenzi, uHlanga, Qamata
YACHI (Nigeria): Phahia
YAKO (Nigeria): Ubasi
YAO (Malawi, Mozambique): Mulungu
YORUBA (Nigeria): Olodumare, Olorun, Olofin-Orun
ZALA (Ethiopia): Taosa
ZINZA (Tanzania): Isewahanga, Kazoba, Rugaba
ZULU (South Africa): Unkulunkulu, Inkosi, uDumakade, uGobungqongqo, uGuqabadele, uKqili, uMabonga-kutuk-izizwe-zonke, uSomoganiso, uZivelele.
source:http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/afnames.htm
-snip-
This link is no longer active.
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ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT JOHN S. MBITI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mbiti
John Samuel Mbiti (born 30 November 1931) is a Kenyan-born Christian religious philosopher and writer. He is an ordained Anglican priest, and as of 2005 a canon...
Biography
Born in Kenya, Mbiti studied in Uganda and the United States, taking his doctorate in 1963 at the University of Cambridge, UK. He taught religion and theology in Makerere University, Uganda from 1964 to 1974 and was subsequently director of the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Institute in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland. He has held visiting professorships at universities across the world and published extensively on philosophy, theology and African oral traditions.[1]
Mbiti's seminal book, African Religions and Philosophy (1969), was the first work to challenge Christian assumption that traditional African religious ideas were "demonic and anti-Christian".[2] His sympathetic treatment of traditional religions was based on massive field work. Mbiti is clear that his interpretation of these religions is from a firmly Christian perspective, and this aspect of his work has sometimes been severely criticized.[3][4]"...
The custom among a specific African ethnic group (such as the Akans or the Chewa, or the Zulu) of having more than one name for the Supreme God shouldn't be difficult to understand for Christians who are knowledgeable about our different names for God.
ReplyDeleteHere's a few of those names from http://www.gotquestions.org/names-of-God.html:
ELOHIM: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1).
EL SHADDAI: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 132:2,5) – speaks to God’s ultimate power over all.
ADONAI: “Lord” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men. In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God’s dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles.
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: “LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14) – strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is first given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:3).
YAHWEH-JIREH: "The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.
YAHWEH-RAPHA: "The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.
YAHWEH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17.
YAHWEH-M'KADDESH: "The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy" (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) – God makes it clear that He alone, not the law, can cleanse His people and make them holy.
YAHWEH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" (Judges 6:24) – the name given by Gideon to the altar he built after the Angel of the Lord assured him he would not die as he thought he would after seeing Him.
YAHWEH-ELOHIM: "LORD God" (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5) – a combination of God’s unique name YHWH and the generic “Lord,” signifying that He is the Lord of Lords.
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU: "The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16) – As with YHWH-M’Kaddesh, it is God alone who provides righteousness to man, ultimately in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “that we might become the Righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)."...
Côte d'Ivoire Bhété tribe calls God by the following names : Abba, Lago
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that information, Anonymous.
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