Some Notes on Animal Symbolism in African Religion and Culture

The relationship between the sacred and nature has lately received considerable attention in the study of indigenous traditions. Drawing upon my fieldwork, my own life situation as a twin in the Yoruba community of Nigeria, and several ethnographic sources, the article examines the religious and symbolic significance of animals in African society and culture. Animals feature prominently in cosmogonic myths by conveying the sacred power and messages with which the primordial chaos was transformed into the habitable cosmos. As shown in totemic ideas and practices, animals play key roles in identity construction of individuals, clans, and ethnic groups. The role of cattle in the religious thought and practices of pastoralists is examined. Cattle are seen as an extension of the human family and they represent several ideals that the human community espouses. The ideology and rituals of sacred kingship portray animal symbols. From the ancient Ashanti kingdom in Ghana to the Dande villages in Zimbabwe, animal metaphors convey the power of the king and royal ancestors. Animal images in artistic traditions, especially those that show aesthetic qualities of leadership and that relate to rituals, are also discussed.