#kuba

In the mythology of the Kuba people of Central Africa there exists a primordial being named Mbombo, also called Bumba. He is a white giant who exists before all things in the primeval waters and chaos of the universe, and upon feeling a pain in his stomach he vomits up all matter. This includes the stars, the Sun, the Moon, the first people, and nine characteristic animals: Koy Bumba (leopard), Pongo Bumba (crested eagle), Ganda Bumba (crocodile), Yo (fish), Kono Bumba (tortoise), Nyanyi Bumba (white heron), Budi (goat), an unnamed beetle, and Tsetse (lightning). These nine animals created all other animals similar to them: the beetle made insects, the heron birds, and so on. Three of the first beings, Mbombo's sons, attempted to create other life as well. Nyonye Ngana vomited up white ants but perished in the process, Chonganda brought the first plant which created all other plants, and Chedi Bumba tried hard but could only create a new bird, the kite. Mbombo's last task on earth was showing humans how to create fire from the trees. The troublesome lightning, Tsetse, is finally chased into the heavens by Mbombo for her troublemaking, though she still appears from time to time to rend the earth with her flames. Loko Yima, his final son who is white in color like Mbombo, becomes the ancestor to all kings as Mbombo leaves the world in human hands.

Pantheon: Kuba, Bantu, Central African

Domain or Function: Creator god and distant watcher.

Alternate Names: Bumba, M'bombo, M'bomba

Character Traits: He is shown as kind to humans and helps them, though in the end he becomes a distant god archetype who watches from afar.

Visual Traits: He is described as giant and white in color.

Symbolism: The nine animals, sun and moon, stars.