NGOMA
neutralSpirit
Among the Gikuyu (Kikuyu) of Kenya, ngoma designates the ancestral spirit. Each person, man or woman, possesses a single ngoma which, at death, joins the dwelling of the ancestors, kwa ngoma. The ngoma watch over their descendants and serve as intercessors with the supreme deity, Ngai or Mwene Nyaga. The dead deprived of proper funerary rites become wandering spirits, held responsible for the misfortunes of the living. The same word, very widespread in the Bantu area, also designates the drum and, by extension, the rituals of dance and possession that accompany it. The spelling Kiluyu of the pantheon most likely refers to the Gikuyu of Kenya.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Ferryman of souls. NGOMA ensures the circulation of souls and prevents stagnation between the worlds. Bound to the Kiluyu pantheon. Its alignment depends on the invoker's protocol.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of individual, embodiment of the power of Ngoma
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
What does ngoma mean among the Gikuyu?
The ancestral spirit that each person, man or woman, possesses, and which joins the world of the ancestors after death.
Can a ngoma become malevolent?
Yes. A dead person deprived of proper funerary rites can become a wandering spirit, held responsible for the misfortunes of the living.
Does the word have other meanings?
Yes. In many Bantu languages, ngoma also designates the drum and the rituals of dance and possession that accompany it.
Related spirits
Sources and references
- C. W. Hobley, Bantu Beliefs and Magic (1922)
- Jomo Kenyatta, Facing Mount Kenya: The Tribal Life of the Gikuyu (1938)