| Part ofa series on |
| African traditional religions |
|---|
TheAziza (African) are a type of beneficent supernatural race inWest African (specifically,Dahomey) mythology. Living in the forest, they provide goodmagic for hunters. They are also known to have given practical and spiritual knowledge to people (including knowledge of the use offire).The Aziza are described aslittle people and are said to live inanthills andsilk-cotton trees.[1] The plant genusAziza has been named in their honour.[2]
While the Aziza are usually described as a people, some traditions also refer to a single individual by name "Aziza", with similar traits. For example, Jeje oral tradition has a divinity called "Aziza" (described as a small, single-legged man smoking apipe).[3]
Aziza is also a god of theUrhobo people of the Western Niger Delta of Nigeria.[4]
However there is only one original source for the winged aziza and it was only recorded after contact with Europeans during the Atlantic slave trade, all other source claim them to be just small people and seeing the almost identical appearance with the European fairy it's unknown how much they influenced the winged aziza or the aziza influenced the European fairy.
This article relating to an African myth or legend is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |