Nyambe

"Nyambi" redirects here. See other variations of the Bantu deity's name below.

For the Lozi name, see Nyambe (name).

Nyambe is the name used in various Bantu-speaking cultures to refer to the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, the Sky Father, god of the Sun and the source of all life. He is often described as all-powerful, all-knowing, and above all.

Nyambe
Creator god
Seated Male Figure, Angola or Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo peoples, Kakongo group (MET, 1996.281)
Venerated in	Bantu mythology
Symbols	Sun, Sky
Ethnic group	Bantu peoples

While different African cultures use various names for the Creator—such as Njambe, Njambi, Nyame, Nyambi, Nyembi, Nzambi, Nzambe, Nzemi—the concept remains largely the same: a single, supreme God who watches over his creation as a sky father. So far, the Bakongo people are the only known peoples to have also identified Nzambi as a goddess and Sky Mother.

Central Africa

See also: Kongo religion

Bakongo people

The Bakongo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo believe in the Supreme god Nzambi Ampungu^[1] (or Nzambi Sundidi),^[2] along with a female counterpart, Nzambici. Nzambi symbolises the sun, while Nzambici represents the moon and earth. They both reside in the sky.^[1]

Bassa people

The Bassa of Cameroon refer to the Supreme Being as Ngambi or Nyombe. After the Bible was translated into Bassa in 1922, Ngambi became associated with the Christian God. Because of their deep respect for elders, Ngambi is also seen as the greatest Elder.^[1][3]

Chokwe people

The Chokwe people of northeast Angola believe in Nzambi, also called Kalûnga (meaning "the god of change") and Samatanga (meaning "the creator"). The king, or Mwanangana, is viewed as Nzambi’s representative and links the physical and spiritual worlds.^[1]

Fang people

The Fang people of Gabon and Cameroon believe in the Supreme God Nzeme, also known as Mebere. In Fang cosmology, Nzeme created life and three spirits: Nzame (strength), Mbere (leadership), and Nkwa (beauty).^[1]

Lele people

The Lele people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo refer to the Supreme Being as Njambi. He is said to have created the forest and water spirits called mingehe, similar to the bisimbi of Kongo religion.^[1]

East Africa

Toro people

The Nyoro and Toro people of Uganda refer to the Supreme God as Nyamuhanga.^[1]

Southern Africa

Hambukushu people

The Hambukushu or "Rainmakers of Okavango" believe in Nyambi, who created the world and placed their people in the sacred hills of Tsodilo. Nyambi rewards the good by sending them to heaven (Diwiru) and punishes the wicked through his death messenger, Shadapinyi.^[4][5]

Herero people

The Herero people believe in a creator god called Njambi Kurunga, also known as Omukuru. He created the world, spirits, and humans, then withdrew into the sky.^[1]

Lozi people

See also: Lozi mythology

For the Lozi people, Nyambe is regarded as the Supreme Being, the Creator of the world, and the source of all life. He is often described as all-powerful, all-knowing, and above all things. Nyambe is widely honoured as the one true God, who watches over creation like a loving father.

West Africa

Akan people

See also: Akan religion

The Akan people, including the Fante and Asante people, believe in the Creator God Nyame or Onyankopong. He created the heavens (Osoro) and the earth (Asaase). Another name, Odomankoma, means "the infinite one whose beginning and end are unknown."^[1]