AFRICANS AND THEIR NAMES FOR GOD
Africans have different names for God they worship. Each name has serious significance and authority to the supreme being called God. In Ghana for example among the Akans God is referred to as "Nyankopon" which means "Greater among friends." "Nyanko" in Akan means "friend" and "pon" means "mighty or great." This greatness attached to the supreme being called GOD is the same among all the African peoples.
BELOW ARE THE NAMES THAT AFRICANS USE TO CALL THEIR GOD:
Originally compiled by Prof. John Mbiti
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ABALUYIA (Kenya): Wele, Nyasaye, Nabongo, Khakaba, Isaywa.
ACHOLI (Uganda): Juok or Jok, Lubanga
ADJURU (Côte d’Ivoire): Nyam
AFUSARE (Nigeria): Daxunum
AKAMBA (Kenya): Mulungu, Ngai, Mumbi, Mwatuangi, Asa
AKAN (Ghana): Nyame, Nana Nyankopon, Onyame, Amowia, Amosu, Amaomee, Totorobonsu, Brekyirihunuade, Abommubuwafre, Nyaamanekose, Tetekwaframua, Nana, Borebore
Nyame Nwu Na Mawu
Nyame nwu na mawu (loosely translated, "God does not die, so I cannot die") is the Akan adinkra, or proverb, that symbolizes the continuity of the human spirit in temporal affairs. This idea envisions death as a transition between physical and immaterial states of being, with the dead remaining consequential players in the societies in which they lived.
ALUR (Uganda, Congo DR): Jok, Jok Rubanga, Jok Nyakaswiya, Jok Odudu, Jok Adranga, Jok Atar
AMBA (Uganda): Nyakara
AMBO (Zambia): Lesa, Cuta
ANKORE (Uganda): Ruhanga, Nyamuhanga, Omuhangi, Rugaba, Kazooba, Mukameiguru, Kazooba Nyamuhanga
ANUAK (Sudan): Juok
ARUSHA (Tanzania): Engai
ASANTE (Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire): Nyame, Onyankopon, Bore-Bore, Otumfoo, Otomankoma, Ananse Kokroko, Onyankopon Kwame
AUSHI (Zambia): Makumba
AZANDE (Sudan): Mbori or Mboli, Bapaizegino
BACHWA (Congo): Djakomba, Djabi
BACONGO (Angola): Nzambi
BAKENE (Uganda): Gasani
BAKWENA-TSWANA (Botswana): Modimo
BALESE (Congo): Katshonde, Tole, Mongo, Mbali, Londi
BALUBA (Congo): Leza, Lesa-Waba
BAMBARA (Mali): Jalang
BAMBUTI (Congo): Arebati, Epilipili, Baatsi
BAMILEKE (Cameroon): Si
BAMUM (Cameroon): Njinyi or Nui, Yorubang
BANEN (Cameroon): Hoel, Kolo, Ombang
BANYARWANDA (Rwanda): Imana, Hategekimana, Hashakimana, Habyarimana, Ndagijimana, Habimana, Bizimana, Bigirimana, Ruremakwaci
BANYORO (Uganda): Ruhanga.
BARI (Sudan): Ngun
BAROTSE (Zambia): Lesa, Nyambe
BARUNDI (Burundi): Imana, Rangicavyose, Rugiravyose, Indavyi, Rurema, Rugoba, Haragakiza, Harerimana, Rutunga, Rutangaboro, Segaba, Umusemyi, Mushoboravyose, Nyeninganyi, Rushoboravyose, Ntakimunanira, Inchanyi, Ruremabibondo, Rufashaboro, Ntirandekuva
BASA (Nigeria): Agwatana
BASOGA (Uganda): Kibumba, Kiduma, Kyaka, Nambubi, Lubanga
BASUTO (Lesotho): Molimo
BAVENDA (South Africa): Raluvhimba, Mwari
BAYA (Central African Republic): So, Zambi
BEIR (Sudan): Tummu
BEMBA (Zambia): Lesa, Mulungu, Mwandanshi, Tengenene, Katebebe, Kaleka-Misuma, Kapekape, Kalamfya-Milalo, Kanshiwabikwa, Kashawaliko, Mulopwe, Mwine-twalo, Nalusandulula, Naluntuntwe, Nalwebela, Nafukatila, Kalenga, Nakabumba, Ndubulwila
BENA (Tanzania): Mulungu
BINAWA (Nigeria): Kashiri
BIRIFOR (Ghana): We, Nawe, Wene, Yini
BONDEI (Tanzania): Mlungu
BONGO (Sudan): Loma, Hege
BORAN (Ethiopia, Kenya): Waqa
BULU (Cameroon): Mebee
BURJI-KONSO (Ethiopia): Illalei, Bambelle,
CHAGGA (Tanzania): Ruwa
CHAWAI (Nigeria): Bawai
CHEWA (Malawi): Mulungu, Namalenga, Leza, Cham'njili, Mphambe, Chisumphi, Chanta, Mlengi, Mlamulili, Mcizi, Mpulumutsi, Mlezi, Wolera, Mtetezi, Muweluzi
CHOKWE (Angola): Kalunga, Zambi
CHOPI (Mozambique): Tilo
DIDINGA (Sudan): Tamukujen
DIGO (Kenya): Mulungu
DILLING (Sudan): Abradi
DINKA (Sudan): Nhialic, Acek, Jok
DOGON (Burkina Faso, Mali): Amma
DOREI (Nigeria): Nillah
DUALA (Cameroon): Loba, Owasi, Iwonde, Ebasi
DUNGI (Nigeria): Kasiri, Kashira
DURUMA (Kenya): Mulungu
EBRIE (Ivory Coast): Nyangka
EDO (Nigeria): Osanobua, Osa
EGEDE (Nigeria): Ohe
EKOI (Cameroon, Nigeria): Osawa, Nsi
ELGEYO (Kenya): Asis
EMBU (Kenya): Ngai
EWE (Benin, Ghana, Togo): Mawu
FAJULU (Sudan): Ngun
FANG (Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea): Nzeme, Nyame
FANTI (Ghana): Nyame, Nyankopon, Twerempong
FINGO (South Africa): Qamata
FON (Benin): Mawu-Lisa
GA (Ghana): Dzemawon, Numbo
GAALIN (Sudan): Allat, Uzza, Manat
GANDA (Uganda): Katonda, Kagingo, Mukama, Ssewannaku, Ddunda, Lugaba, Ssebintu, Liisoddene, Nnyiniggulu, Kazooba, Namuginga, Ssewaunaku, Gguluddene, Namugereka
GBARI (Nigeria): Shekohi, Sheshu, Soko, Esse, Sheko
GELABA (Ethiopia): Yer
GIKUYU (Kenya): Murungu, Ngai, Mwenenyaga
GIRYAMA (Kenya): Mulungu
GISU (Uganda): Wele or Weri, Omubumbi, Wele Wehangagi
GOFA (Ethiopia): Tsuossa
GOGO (Tanzania): Mulungu
GRUNSHI (Ghana): We
GUMUZ (Ethiopia): Robboqua, Fogatza, Musa, Musa Gueza
GUSII (Kenya): Erioba (Sun)
GWERE (Uganda): Kibumba
HADYA (Ethiopia): Wa'a
HAYA (Tanzania): Ishwanga
HEHE (Tanzania): Nguluvi
HERERO (Namibia ): Ndjambi Karunga, Mukuru
HOTTENTOS (South Africa): Utixo
IBIBIO (Nigeria): Abassi, Chuku
IDOMA (Nigeria): Owo, Owoico
IGBIRA (Nigeria): Hinegba, Ihinegba
IGBO (Nigeria): Chukwu, Chi, Chineke, Olisa bi n’igwé
IJAW (Nigeria): Egbesu
ILA (Zambia): Leza, Chilenga, Lubumba, Shakapanga, Namulenga, Mutalabala, Namakungwe, Muninde, Chaba, Ipaokubozha, Ushatwakwe, Shakatabwa, Mangwe, Shakemba, Kemba, Namesi, Munamazuba, Luvhunabaumba, Mukubwe, Chembwe, Munakasungwe, Chaba-wakaaba-ochitadiwa, Shikakunamo
INDEM (Nigeria): Osowo
INGASSANA (Ethiopia): Tel
ITSEKIRI (Nigeria): Oritse
IYALA (Nigeria): Owo
JIE (Uganda): Akuj
JUKUN (Nigeria): Shido or Chido, Ama or Ma
JUMJUM (Sudan): Dyong
KADARA (Nigeria): Onum
KAFA (Ethiopia): Yaro
KANGORO (Nigeria): Gwaza
KAIBI (Nigeria): Kashiri or Kashira
KAKWA (Sudan): Nguleso
KAMASYA (Kenya): Asis
KAONDE (Zambia): Lesa
KARAMOJA (Uganda): Akuj
KARANGA (Zimbabwe): Nyadenga
KATAB (Nigeria): Gwaza
KEMANT (Ethiopia): Sanbat
KIGA (Uganda): Ruhanga, Sebahanga, Kazoba, Rugaba, Biheko
KIPSIGIS (Kenya): Asis, Chebtalel, Cheptolel, Chebango, Ngolo
KISSI (Guinea, Liberia): Hala
KITMI (Nigeria): Kashila or Kashiri
KOMA (Ethiopia): Yere Siezi, War, Wal
KONJO (Congo, Uganda): Nyamahanga
KONKOMBA (Ghana, Togo): Omborr
KONO (Sierra Leone): Meketa, Yataa
KONSO (Ethiopia): Bamballe, Adota, Waq
KONY (Kenya): Asis
KOREKORE (Zimbabwe): Wokumusoro, Musiki ,Chikara, Dzivaguru
KPE (Cameroon): Lova or Loba
KPELLE (Liberia): Yala
KRACHI (Togo): Wulbari
KUCA (Ethiopia): Tosso
KUKU (Sudan): Uletet, Ngulaitait or Nguletet
KULLO (Ethiopia): Tosa
KUBA (Congo): Nceme, Mbombo, Njambe
KUNG (Namibia ): Khu, Xu, Xuba, Huwa
KURAMA (Nigeria): Ashili, Bakashili
KYIGA (Uganda): Weri
LALA (Zambia): Lesa, Mulenga, Cuuta, Lucele
LAMBA (Zambia): Lesa
LANGO (Uganda): Jok
LELE (Congo): Njambi
LENDU (Congo): Gindri
LIMBA (Sierra Leone): Kanu, Masala, Masaranka
LOBI (Côte d’Ivoire): Tangba You
LODAGAA (Ghana, Burkina Faso): Na'angmin
LOGO (Congo): Tore, Ore, Ori, Djuka
LOKOIYA (Sudan): Oicok
LOTUKO (Sudan): Ajok, Naijok
LOZI (Zambia): Nyambe
LUAPULA (Zambia): Lesa
LUGBARA (Congo, Uganda): Adroa or Adronga, Adro
LUGURU (Tanzania): Mulungu
LUIMBE (Angola): Nzambi, Kalunga
LUNDA-LUENA (Angola, Congo, Zambia) Nzambi, Kalunga, Sakatanga
LUO (Kenya): Nyasaye, Wang' Chieng', Nyakolaga, Were, Tham, Wuonwa, Wuon kwere, Wuon ji, Ja Mrima, Jan'gwono, Jahera, Nyakalaga, Janen, Wuon Ogendni, Hono, Polo, Wuon lowo, Ratego, Jalweny, Kwar ji, Rahuma, Piny k'nyal, Wuon oru, Ruodh Ruodhi, Wang' Chieng', Nyakolaga, Uworo
LUVEDU (South Africa): Khuzwane, Mwari
MAASAI (Kenya, Tanzania): En-kai, Engai, N'gai, Ai, Parsai, Emayian
MADI (Uganda): Ori, Rabanga
MAHRAKA (Sudan): Mboli
MALE (Ethiopia): Sosi
MDINGE (Guinea, Mali): Gala, Guele, Jalang
MAMVU-MANGUTU (Congo): Mai, Oti, Tore, Kundumbendu, Oto
MAO (Ethiopia): Yere, Yeretsi
MASONGO (Ethiopia): Waqaio
MATENGO (Malawi): Ciuta, Mulungu, Mlezi, Cisumphi
MEBAN (Sudan): Juong
MEKAN (Ethiopia): Tuma
MENDI (Sierra Leone): Ngewo, Leve)
MERU (Kenya): Murungu, Ngai, Mwene inya
MONDARI (Sudan): Ngun
MORU (Sudan): Lu
MOSSI (Burkina Faso): Winnam, Ouennam, Winde, Naba Zidiwinde
MURLE (Ethiopia): Tummu
NAMA (Namibia): Tsui-Goeb (Supreme Being), Cagn or Kaang, Khub, Nanub
NANDI (Kenya): Asis, Cheptalil, Chepkeliensokol or Chepkelienpokol, Chepopkoiyo, Chebonamuni
NDEBELE (Zimbabwe): Unkulunkulu, Umlimo, Mwali
NDOGO (Sudan): Mbiri, Mviri
NGOMBE (Congo): Akongo, Bilikonda, Ebangala, Ebangala-e-mokonda, Eliamokonda, EliMalima, Endandala
NGONDE (Malawi): Kyala, Mbepo Mwikemo, Ndolombwike, Kamanyimanyi, Mpoki
NGONI (Malawi): Unkurukuru, Utixo, Inkosi, Umkulunqango, Uluhlanga, Umkulu Kakulu, Umnikaze we zinto zonke
NKUM (Nigeria): Oshowo, Ebutokpabi
NKUNDO (Congo): Djakomba
NSÓ (Cameroon): Nyuỳ
NUBA (Sudan) Kalo, Elo, Bel, Bel Epti, Kando, Kwarak, Masala, Elem
NUER (Sudan): Kwoth
NUPE (Nigeria): Soko
NYAKYUSA (Tanzania): Kyala, Tenende, Nkurumuke, Chata Kyaubiri, Kalesi, Ndorombwike, Mperi
NYANJA (Zambia, Malawi): Mulungu, Cuata, Leza, Mphamba, Cisumphi, Cimjili Namalenga or Nyamalenga or Mlengi
OKIET (Kenya): Asis
OROMO (Ethiopia, Kenya): Waqa
ORRI (Nigeria): Lokpata
OVIMBUNDU (Angola): Suku, Usovoli
PARE (Tanzania): Kyumbi, Mrungu, Izuva
PITI (Nigeria): Ure
POKOMO (Kenya): Muungu
POKOT (Kenya): Tororut, Ilat
PONDO (South Africa): uDali, uMenzi, u Tixo
PYGMY (Congo): Kmvoum
PYEM (Nigeria): Wudidi
RABAI (Kenya): Mulungu
RISHUWA (Nigeria): Kashiri, Kasiri
RUKUBA (Nigeria): Katakuru
RUMAIYA (Nigeria): Kashillo, Kashira
SAFWA (Tanzania): Nguruvi
SONATA (Congo): Nja
SAN (Botswana, Namibia): Urezhwa
SANDAWE (Tanzania): Waronge, Murungu
SANGAMA (Ethiopia): Zabi
SEBEI (Uganda): Oiki, Oinotet
SERER (Gambia, Senegal): Rog
SHERBRO-BULLOM-KRIM (Sierra Leone): Hobatoke
SHILLUK (Sudan): Juok
SHONA (Zimbabwe): Mwari, Nyadenga, Wokumusoro, Gore, Runji, Chipindikure, Chirozva-mauya Chirazamauya, Sagomakoma, Musiki, Muvumbi, Marure, Musikavanhu, Dzivaguru, Chidziva, Mutangakugara, Muwanikwa, Mupavose, Wemumbepo, Muponesi, Muyaradzi, Muratidzi
SIDAMO (Ethiopia): Magano
SONGHAY (Nigeria): Yerkoy
SONJO (Tanzania): Mugwe, Riob
SOTHO (Lesotho): Molimo, Molimo o matle
SRUBU (Nigeria): Kasiri, Kahiri
SUKUMA-NYAMWEZI (Tanzania): Mulungu, Mungu, Seba, Kube, Kube-Nyangasa, Limi, Linyabangwe, Liwelelo, Ng'wenekili, Ling'wenekili, Likubala
SURI-SUMMA (Ethiopia): Tuma
SWAZI (Swaziland): Mkulumncandi, Umkhulumncandi, Inkosatana, Umvelingquangi
TALLENZI (Ghana, Burkina Faso): We, Wene, Nawe, Nabwe
TEITA (Kenya): Mlungu
TEMBU (South Africa): uTixo
TEMNE (Sierra Leone): Kuru, Kurumasaba
TENDA (Guinea): Hounounga
TESO (Uganda): Akuj, Apap, Edeke, Lokasuban
TEUSO (Uganda): Didikwari, Nakwit
THONGS (South Africa, Mozambique): Tilo, Hosi, Xikwembu
TIKAR (Cameroon): Nyooiy
TIV (Nigeria): Aondo
TLHAPING (South Africa): Modimo
TONGA (Malawi, Zambia): Tilo, Chiuta or Ciuta, Leza, Mlengi, Chata, Nyangoi, Wamu yaya, Wanthazizose, Mkana Nyifwa, Kajeti, Mtaski, Msungi, Mlezi, Mlengavuwa, Mnanda, Mananda, Mangazi
TOPOSA (Sudan): Nakwuge
TORO (Uganda): Nkya, Ruhanga, Kagaba, Nyamuhanga
TSWANA (Botswana, South Africa): Modimo
TUMBUKA (Malawi): Chiuta, Mulengi, Leza, Mwati, Mweni-Nkongono, Kajilengi, Wamtatakuya, Cinyetenyete, Mweneco, Mupi, Cilera-balanda, Karonga wa mabanja, Cimbatakwinya, Kamphanda, Kamanyimanyi, Wamalumya
TURKANA (Kenya): Akuj
TURU (Tanzania): Murungu, Matunda
TWI (Benin, Ghana): Onyankopon
UDHUK (Ethiopia): Arumgimis
URHOBO-ISOKO (Nigeria): Oghene, Oghenukpabe
VAI (Liberia): Kamba
VENDA (South Africa): Nwali
VILI (Congo) : Nzambi Mpungu
VUGUSU (Kenya): Wele
WALAMO (Ethiopia): Tosa
XAM (South Africa): Kaang, Kaggen, Huwu or Huwe
XHOSA (South Africa): uThixo, uDali (Maker, Creator ), uMenzi, uHlanga, Qamata
YACHI (Nigeria): Phahia
YAKO (Nigeria): Ubasi
YAO (Malawi, Mozambique): Mulungu
YORUBA (Nigeria): Olodumare, Olorun, Olofin-Orun
ZALA (Ethiopia): Taosa
ZINZA (Tanzania): Isewahanga, Kazoba, Rugaba
ZULU (South Africa): Unkulunkulu, Inkosi, uDumakade, uGobungqongqo, uGuqabadele, uKqili, uMabonga-kutuk-izizwe-zonke, uSomoganiso, uZivelele.