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"Africans & Their Names For God" (compiled by John S. Mbiti)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series that provides excerpts from a 2012 post from the blog "Trip Down Memory Lane"* http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2012/09/africans-and-their-names-for-god.html

Part II provides a list compiled by John S. Mbiti of traditional African names for the Supreme Deity. The Addendum to this post provides information about Professor Mbiti.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/god-divinities-and-spirits-in-african.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides excerpts from the 2010 paper "God, Divinities and Spirits In African Traditional Religious ontology" by Rev. Emeka C. Ekeke and Dr. Chike A. Ekeopara.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and religious purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

*Unfortunately, the comment section of every post that I've visited on that Trip Down Memory Lane blog contains extensive x rated spam.

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Part II
Pancocojams Editor's Note: This list is quoted in its entirety.

"AFRICANS AND THEIR NAMES FOR GOD

Originally compiled by Prof. John Mbiti

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.

source:http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/afnames.htm
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ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT JOHN S. MBITI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mbiti
John Samuel Mbiti (born 30 November 1931) is a Kenyan-born Christian religious philosopher and writer. He is an ordained Anglican priest, and as of 2005 a canon...

Biography
Born in Kenya, Mbiti studied in Uganda and the United States, taking his doctorate in 1963 at the University of Cambridge, UK. He taught religion and theology in Makerere University, Uganda from 1964 to 1974 and was subsequently director of the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Institute in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland. He has held visiting professorships at universities across the world and published extensively on philosophy, theology and African oral traditions.[1]

Mbiti's seminal book, African Religions and Philosophy (1969), was the first work to challenge Christian assumption that traditional African religious ideas were "demonic and anti-Christian".[2] His sympathetic treatment of traditional religions was based on massive field work. Mbiti is clear that his interpretation of these religions is from a firmly Christian perspective, and this aspect of his work has sometimes been severely criticized.[3][4]"...