Pukqili est-il une divinite zouloue attestee ?

Non. Aucun recueil ethnographique ni dictionnaire de la langue zouloue ne mentionne une divinite de ce nom. Le terme semble resulter d'une deformation graphique et ne renvoie a aucune figure identifiable du culte zoulou. Il convient de l'employer avec prudence et de verifier les sources.

De quel nom Pukqili derive-t-il probablement ?

Tres vraisemblablement de uKqili, le sage ou l'habile, l'un des noms donnes a l'etre supreme Unkulunkulu dans la tradition zouloue. La proximite graphique entre Pukqili et uKqili suggere une simple alteration de ce nom bien documente.

Que sait-on de uKqili, la forme attestee ?

uKqili est un des noms de Unkulunkulu, le createur zoulou. Il souligne sa sagesse et sa ruse insondables. Des presentations encyclopediques lui attribuent la maitrise de la foudre: quand l'eclair frappait une bete, on disait que uKqili avait faim, et l'animal foudroye devenait une offrande.

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PUKQILI

ally

God

☥ SpiritZoulou →Zoulou — ZoulouElder

Gender: MasculineSign: suprême

No reliable ethnographic or academic source documents a Zulu deity bearing the name of Pukqili. The term appears neither in the classic collections on the Zulu religion nor in the dictionaries of the Zulu language. In all likelihood, it is an altered variant of uKqili, the wise or the skilful one, one of the names given to the supreme being Unkulunkulu in the Zulu tradition. uKqili designates the creator as the holder of an unfathomable wisdom and cunning; certain encyclopaedic presentations associate with him the mastery of lightning. For want of an attestation of its own, Pukqili must be treated with caution: it corresponds to no identifiable figure of the Zulu cult and appears to result from a graphic deformation. For reliable information, one should refer to the entries devoted to uKqili and to Unkulunkulu.

Powers & Attributes

supreme

Role in the ROHO universe

Founding presence. PUKQILI stands at the root of the world and sustains the weave since before the beginning. Bound to the Zulu pantheon.

Sacred Mask

An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of supreme, embodiment of the power of Pukqili

Era

Ancient cycle

Frequently asked questions

Is Pukqili an attested Zulu deity?

No. No ethnographic collection or dictionary of the Zulu language mentions a deity of this name. The term seems to result from a graphic deformation and refers to no identifiable figure of the Zulu cult. It should be used with caution and the sources verified.

From which name does Pukqili probably derive?

Most likely from uKqili, the wise or the skilful one, one of the names given to the supreme being Unkulunkulu in the Zulu tradition. The graphic closeness between Pukqili and uKqili suggests a simple alteration of this well-documented name.

What is known of uKqili, the attested form?

uKqili is one of the names of Unkulunkulu, the Zulu creator. It underlines his unfathomable wisdom and cunning. Encyclopaedic presentations attribute to him the mastery of lightning: when lightning struck a beast, it was said that uKqili was hungry, and the struck animal became an offering.

Related spirits

INTULO ABATAWA EHLOSE IDLOZI

Sources and references

Henry Callaway, The Religious System of the Amazulu, 1868-1870