MISEKE
allyHero
Miseke is the heroine of a traditional Rwandan tale sometimes entitled Miseke marries the god of thunder. A woman alone and numb with cold while her husband is at war implores the thunder of the sky, Nkuba, to light her a fire. The thunder appears in the guise of a man with an axe, lights the hearth and obtains the promise that the child to be born will be given to him as a wife. A daughter is then born, Miseke, whose mouth lets fall pearls, brass and copper each time she laughs. Years later, an envoy of the thunder makes the young girls laugh in order to recognise the promised one. Miseke laughs, a rain of pearls falls, and the thunder carries her off to the sky. The narrative describes him as a benevolent husband, by whom she has several children.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Voice of the thunder. MISEKE calls humankind back to justice through the lightning and marks the beginnings. Bound to the Banyarwanda pantheon.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of obsidian, forged metal and cooled lava, engraved with symbols of thunder, embodiment of the power of Miseke
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
Who is Miseke?
A heroine of the Rwandan tale of the thunder, a young girl promised before her birth to the thunder god Nkuba.
Why do pearls come out of her mouth?
It is the marvellous sign that distinguishes her. When she laughs, pearls, brass and copper fall from her lips, which allows the envoy of the thunder to recognise her.
How does the tale end?
The thunder carries her off to the sky and marries her. The narrative presents him as a benevolent husband by whom she has children.
Related spirits
Sources and references
- Oxford Reference, Miseke Marries the God of Thunder (tradition nyarwanda)
- Recueils de contes africains, folklore rwandais