African Mythology - Ani/Ala

 

African Mythology – Ani/Ala

Introduction

In many literary works, Greek and Roman mythology can be seen and are used to add taste and classiness to the literature. Rarely do we see the mention of the existence of African gods. In many cases, while the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses are considered unique, exquisite and classic; African gods and goddesses are shunned as idols and objects of shame. They are seen as demons which should be forgotten, avoided and discarded. Their histories and symbolisms desecrated because they are symbols of uncivilization. However, this series will follow African mythology. While the Greeks had Zeus, the Romans had Jupiter, the Scandinavians have Thor, the Yorubas have Sango and the Igbos have Amadioha. The similarity you ask??? They are all revered by worshippers and recognized as “god of thunder.” Seen often as the chief god in many myths of the African people as well as the Greeks/Romans.

Ani or Ala

Ani also known as Ala, Ana, Ale, Ali. Indigenous to the Igbo people found in the South eastern part of Nigeria. Ala or Ani translates to ground or earth. This is a female deity. She is often represented as a regal, dignified female figure on a throne and is said to occupy shrines dedicated to her. Sometimes, she is represented as a mother goddess with a child in her arms and the crescent moon. She is revered as the goddess of the earth. Morality, fertility, creativity and femininity are all part of her. She is a strong and powerful goddess according to the Igbo mythology who rules over the underworld because she bears the bodies of the ancestors and all living things must return to her. Some parts of Igbo land consider her to be the wife of Amadioha, the god of the sky who will be explored later in this series.

Ala or Ani is in charge of the ethics and moral codes and is responsible for punishing those who break the moral codes of the land. When a person commits a taboo, it is seen as a desecration of the land therefore an offence to the goddess of the earth.

She is the goddess of the earth; therefore, she is prayed to for bountiful harvest. She ensures that the ground is fertile and when there is poor harvest, the people usually make sacrifices to appease her and consider that a sign of pollution of the earth leading to the anger and punishment by Ani or Ala. In many communities, she has slaves or worshippers dedicated to her. Ala is sacrificed to before and after harvest to ensure the fertility of the soil.

It is very important to note that Ala is the goddess worshipped during the New Yam Festival. Her special crop in many Igbo communities is the Yam. The planting to the harvesting of the Yam symbolizes a year. Therefore, at the harvest of Yam, she is venerated and praised for a fertile year and bountiful harvest. In many Igbo communities, new yam cannot be eaten unless she has first been celebrated through the New Yam Festival.

This Igbo goddess is sometimes seen as the head of all deities because her influence can be seen and felt in all aspects of the lives of the people.

In rebelling against western literary standards, many African and particularly Nigerian writers have included Ani or Ala in their literary works to project the African mythology fast dying out in contemporary Africa. A very popular literary work which captures the extent of the influence, power and authority of the goddess in the Igbo tradition is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

In the comment section below, please write out the name for the goddess of the earth in your tribe.