Njambe (god)
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| Njambe | |
|---|---|
God of Creation | |
| Venerated in | Bantu mythology |
| Symbols | Sun |
| Ethnic group | Boloki • Bantu |
| Equivalents | |
| Roman | Jupiter |
| Bakongo | Nzambi Mpungu |
| Igbo | Chukwu |
| Egyptian | Amun-Ra |
| Bantu | Nyambe |
| Akan | Nyame |
Njambe is the supreme creator god figure in the traditional religion of the Loki or Boloki people, who are primarily based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[1] According to anthropologist John H. Weeks, Njambe is also used to refer to a deity associated with sickness and death [2]. He is prominent in Boloki myths regarding the origin of death [1] [3].
According to Weeks, Njambe is one of the names used to refer to the supreme god-figure worshipped by the Boloki people. In total, Weeks found that there were four commonly used names to refer to a supreme god figure, which may be represented by different or same deities:[2]
- Libanza, described as the creator of all things. Libanza is also the mythic hero figure of the Boloki people.
- Nzakomba, described as the mythological figure responsible for determining the thoughts and hearts of humans and animals. The people of Lulanga in Malwai also use this name to refer to god.
- Kombu, described as a creator god of people with mental illness and disabilities.
- Njambe, described as a god responsible for sickness and death. The word may be a variant of the word Nzambi or Nyambi, which is used by the people of Bobangi in reference to a supreme deity.
The name Njambe is also used by the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to describe their supreme creator figure.[3]
