TITLE
Anansi is a clever spider from West African mythology. In this tale, he works to earn stories from the sky god.
Ikenga is a legendary Igbo warrior. Ikenga means “the place of strength.” Ikenga was known for his wrestling. Stories say he never let his back touch the ground in a fight. He may also have been able to fly. Many people have Ikenga statues on their personal altars. The statues always have a pair of large horns. People say prayers or make offerings to the statue before important life events, such as starting college or making a business deal.
*Image provided by the Brooklyn Museum
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Making Connections
Text-to-Self
If you lived at the time of the ancient Yoruba, which orisha do you think you would have prayed to? Please explain your answer.
Text-to-Text
Have you read any other books about ancient mythologies? If so, what did those mythologies have in common with West African myths?
Text-to-World
West African deities such as Oshun and Mami Wata were very important to ancient people. With the help of an adult, look up water deities from other ancient mythologies. Write a few sentences about the similarities and differences you see between them and Oshun or Mami Wata.