Kongo and Bantu mythologies of Central Africa
37 spirits documented in the Kunda Codex
The Bantu world of Central Africa, from the Kongo kingdom to the river basin forests, shares a spiritual vision where the living constantly converse with the dead. Nzambi a Mpungu, the distant creator, leaves the world to ancestors and spirits that initiates mobilise through minkisi power objects. The entries below document these figures with sources.
SpiritantagonistELOKO
The Devourers
Guardian Spirit
SpiritallyNZAMBI A MPUNGU
Supreme god, life-death cycle
Creator Spirit
SpiritallyMEBEGE
Creator, order
Creator Spirit
SpiritallyNZAMBICI
Nature, femininity, consort
Spirit of the Forest
WaterallyBUNZI
Rain, fertility
Spirit of the Waters
WaterallySIMBI BIA MAZA
Waters, destinies
Spirit of the Waters
WaterallyMUKISI
Waters, healing
Spirit of the Waters
WaterallyJENGU
Waters, beauty, wealth
Spirit of the Waters
SpiritallyBAATSI
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyCHIBINDA ILUNGA
Hero
Hero Spirit
EarthneutralCHILUBE
Monster
Monstrous Spirit
SpiritneutralCHINAWESHI
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritneutralDIBOBIA
Spirit
Spirit
SpiritallyEFE
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyFENDA MARIA
Hero
Hero Spirit
EarthallyHUVI
God
Deity
WaterallyKABUNDUNGULU
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyLIANJI
God
Deity
SpiritallyLIBANZA
God
Deity
SpiritallyLIKUBALA
God
Deity
SpiritallyLIKUNDU
God
Deity
FireallyLOBA
God
Deity
SpiritallyLOMO
Goddess
Goddess
SpiritallyLONKUNDO
Hero
Hero Spirit
FireallyLONTSINGO
The smallest of the first creatures, companion of the bearer of the sun
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyLOVA
God
Deity
SpiritallyLUEJI
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyLUMBU
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyLYAMBILO
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritneutralMAHUNGU
Being
Primordial Being
SpiritneutralMAKISHI
Monster
Monstrous Spirit
SpiritallyMAWEJA
God
Deity
SpiritallyMENGI
Hero
Hero Spirit
FireallyMFUZI
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyNGEKETO
Hero
Hero Spirit
SpiritallyNJAMBI
God
Deity
SpiritallyPHEBELE
Hero
Hero Spirit