Thunder

Thunder Cult in Africa

In fact, thunder cults are prominent among a number of people in Africa. For example, among the Yoruba, sango is orisa ara (the god of thunderbolt). The thunderbolt deity is called kamalu by the Igbo and sokogba by the Nupe people of Nigeria. The Basoga Uganda assert that kiduma is the divinity responsible for the rain, wind, and thunderstorm, while Kyaka is the god of lightning.

The Cult of Sango

The thunder cult seems to be exceptionally renowned among the Yoruba. In the religion of the Yoruba, Sango, the owner of lightning and the wielder of the thunderbolt, represents the manifestation of God's wrath. For this reason, Sango is called by his praise name Oba Jakuta, meaning “the king who hurls or fights with stones.” It is believed that Sango hauls thunderbolts at evil doers and strikes them down with thunder. Any person who dies as a result of Sango's thunder must be buried ritually by the priests of Sango. Despite his seemingly ruthless nature, Sango is nevertheless one of the most revered divinities because he is remembered as standing for justice and fair play. Sango is the minister of justice in God's government; he is known to punish wicked and evil people. The Yoruba believe that Sango hates and forbids stealing, lying, witchcraft, and society. It is believed that only the heinous are struck by lightning. Sango's staff is represented by a dou-ble-bladed axe. The axe is regarded as the symbol of the thunderbolt hurled by Sango. This symbol signifies that none, no matter how distant, were beyond the reach of his authority. On Sango's altars are placed wooden axes, stones, and carved mortars because the pounding of food in a mortar sounds like thunder. Smaller stones and clay axes may also be found. It is

claimed that these may be used as charms or votive objects by Sango worshippers.