NZAMBICI
allyNature, femininity, consort
Nzambici, sometimes written Nzambi, is a deity of Kongo religion, the feminine counterpart of the creator god Nzambi a Mpungu. She is described as the celestial Mother, associated with the moon and the earth, while Nzambi is bound to the sun. According to the tradition reported by historians, the two of them, called the Marvels of marvels, created the physical world (Nseke) and the spirit world (Mpemba) as well as the spirits of nature, such as the simbi and the nkisi. Nzambici is held to be the giver of laws, arts, games and music, and an arbiter among beings. Her importance is thought to have declined from the seventeenth century onward under the influence of Portuguese monotheism. The Bakongo are one of the rare peoples to have identified a supreme divine figure in a feminine form.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
A fragment of Onionkupón's Breath, bound to one of the five elements of the cosmic balance.
Sacred Mask
A mask carved of ancient energy — a symbol of the cosmic force proper to its pantheon.
Era
3,000–1,000 BCE — Cycle of Elemental Powers
Spiritual Lesson
To understand the nature of one's own balance and the wisdom hidden behind every trial.
Words of the Spirit
“The forest whispers to those who know how to listen.”
Frequently asked questions
Who is Nzambici?
The feminine counterpart of the Kongo supreme god Nzambi a Mpungu, described as the celestial Mother bound to the moon and the earth.
What is attributed to her?
A share in the creation of the world and of the spirits of nature, as well as the gift of laws, arts, games and musical instruments.
Why is she less known than Nzambi?
The sources indicate that her importance declined from the seventeenth century onward, under the influence of the monotheism brought by Portuguese colonisation.
Related spirits
Sources and references
- Wikipedia (EN) : Nzambici
- Wikidata : Q118966764