| Nyambe | |
|---|---|
Creator god | |
 Seated Male Figure, Angola or Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo peoples, Kakongo group (MET, 1996.281) | |
| Venerated in | Bantu mythology |
| Symbols | Sun, Sky |
| Ethnic group | Bantu peoples |
Nyambe is the name used in variousBantu-speaking cultures to refer to the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, theSky Father,god of the Sun and thesource of all life. He is often described as all-powerful, all-knowing, and above all.
While different African cultures use various names for the Creator—such asNjambe,Njambi,Nyame,Nyambi,Nyembi,Nzambi,Nzambe,Nzemi—the concept remains largely the same: a single, supreme God who watches over his creation as a sky father. So far, the Bakongo people are the only known people to have also identified Nzambi as a goddess andSky Mother.
TheBakongo of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,Angola,Gabon, and theRepublic of the Congo believe in the Supreme godNzambi Ampungu[1] (orNzambi Sundidi),[2] along with a female counterpart,Nzambici. Nzambi symbolises the sun, while Nzambici represents themoon andearth. They both reside in the sky.[1]
TheBassa ofCameroon refer to the Supreme Being asNgambi orNyombe. After the Bible was translated into Bassa in 1922, Ngambi became associated with theChristian God. Because of their deep respect for elders, Ngambi is also seen as the greatest Elder.[1][3]
TheChokwe people of northeastAngola believe inNzambi, also calledKalûnga (meaning "the god of change") andSamatanga (meaning "the creator"). The king, orMwanangana, is viewed as Nzambi’s representative and links the physical and spiritual worlds.[1]
TheFang people of Gabon and Cameroon believe in the Supreme GodNzeme, also known asMebere. In Fang cosmology, Nzeme created life and three spirits:Nzame (strength),Mbere (leadership), andNkwa (beauty).[1]
TheLele people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo refer to the Supreme Being asNjambi. He is said to have created the forest and water spirits calledmingehe, similar to thebisimbi of Kongo religion.[1]
TheNyoro andToro people ofUganda refer to the Supreme God asNyamuhanga.[1]
TheHambukushu or "Rainmakers of Okavango" believe inNyambi, who created the world and placed their people in the sacred hills of Tsodilo. Nyambi rewards the good by sending them to heaven (Diwiru) and punishes the wicked through his death messenger,Shadapinyi.[4][5]
TheHerero people believe in a creator god calledNjambi Kurunga, also known asOmukuru. He created the world, spirits, and humans, then withdrew into the sky.[1]
For theLozi people,Nyambe is regarded as the Supreme Being, the Creator of the world, and the source of all life. He is often described as all-powerful, all-knowing, and above all things. Nyambe is widely honoured as the one true God, who watches over creation like a loving father.
TheAkan people, including theFante andAsante people, believe in the Creator GodNyame orOnyankopong. He created the heavens (Osoro) and the earth (Asaase). Another name,Odomankoma, means "the infinite one whose beginning and end are unknown."[1]
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