6 popular African deities that were worshipped long before the introduction of Christianity

Nana Buluku – West Africa/Caribbean

As a deity, Nana Buluku comes in other forms among various West African traditional societies including the Fon in Benin. She can also be found within the Ewe communities in Togo and parts of Ghana as well as among the Akans. She is also strongly present and revered in Nigeria, among the Yoruba and Igbo traditional communities.

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Among the Fon and Ewe in Ghana, she is known as Nana Bukuulu and Nana Bukuu; and Nana Kuruku among the Yoruba of Nigeria. The Igbos of Nigeria refer to her as the Olisabuluwa. The Akans of Ghana call her Nana Buruku.

Among these societies, she is still actively worshipped as the mother goddess. She is an ancient goddess appearing in the image of an old woman and is believed to be the creator of the world.

She is not only the most revered deity but also the genesis of any form of worship and religion in West Africa.

Also known to be the wisest deity, Nana Buluku is said to have travelled with her people on their ships during the slave trade. It is believed that her twins took turns in protecting the slaves.