
BEMBA
allyGod
Bemba, also called Ngala or Pemba, is the creator god in the traditional religion of the Bambara of Mali. Rather than a single figure, he is often described as an entity composed of four divine powers: Pemba, god of the sky and the air; Nyale, also named Musso Koroni Koundyé, goddess of fire, of disorder and first witch; Faro, deity of the waters who stabilises and organises the world; and Ndomadyiri, god of the earth, blacksmith and healer. In the creation narrative, Bemba brings into the world primordial twins who, descended to earth, themselves beget the whole of creation. The resulting chaos is corrected by Faro, often at the end of a flood, while Musso Koroni is relegated to a disordered fecundity. Bemba thus holds the place of a supreme principle from which the other powers of the Bambara cosmogony derive, his dominant element remaining the air, in bond with Pemba, master of the heavens.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Founding presence. BEMBA stands at the root of the world and sustains the weave since before the beginning. Bound to the Bambara pantheon.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of feathers, carved bone and crystal, engraved with symbols of supremacy and air, embodiment of the power of Bemba
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
Are Bemba and Pemba the same deity?
The sources bind them closely. Bemba is often presented as the overall creator god, while Pemba is his celestial aspect, master of the sky and the air. Depending on the version, the two names may designate the same power or distinct facets of a single principle.
What is the bond between Bemba and Musso Koroni?
In the Bambara cosmogony, Musso Koroni, also called Nyale, is one of the powers issued from the creative work. Goddess of fire, of disorder and first witch, she is associated with the chaotic phase of creation, before Faro restores the balance.
Is Bemba well attested?
Yes: he figures in the studies of traditional Bambara religion and has a dedicated encyclopaedic entry. The narratives nevertheless vary from one region and one informant to another, which explains the differences between the versions.
Related spirits
Sources and references
- Wikipedia, Bemba (deity)
- Encyclopedia.com, Bambara Religion