Yoruba mythology has become one of the richest sources for contemporary fantasy. From Children of Blood and Bone to the broader Afrofuturism movement, Yoruba cosmology offers a complete alternative to the Greek and Norse mythologies that have long dominated fantasy literature.
But what exactly is Yoruba mythology, and how are fantasy authors using it to create something genuinely new?
The Foundations: Understanding Yoruba Cosmology
Yoruba religion originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin, but through the diaspora, it has spread worldwide, evolving into traditions like Candomblé, Santería, and Vodou.
Key concepts include:
- Olodumare — The supreme creator, source of all Ase
- Orishas — Divine beings, aspects of Olodumare, each governing different domains
- Ase (Àṣẹ) — The life force, power to make things happen, the essence of existence
- Ori — Personal divine essence, your individual destiny
- Ifa — Divination system, the voice of Orunmila (orisha of wisdom)
Ase as Magic System
For fantasy authors, Ase offers something unique: a magic system that is simultaneously power AND ethics. Ase isn't neutral energy you can use however you want—it's life force, creation force, the very essence of existence.
This philosophical foundation creates magic systems where power and morality are inseparable—a stark contrast to "mana" systems where magic is morally neutral fuel.
Pan-African Synthesis: Beyond Yoruba
While Yoruba mythology dominates African fantasy, the most interesting new work synthesizes multiple African traditions. Resonance by Sitreyah Kotelo, for example, draws from Southern African traditions (Ubuntu, ancestral memory, Sangoma practices) to create something that honors Yoruba influence while forging its own path.
The result is a magic system based on:
- Vibration and resonance (everything has its frequency)
- Ancestral memory (the dead live in our blood)
- Ubuntu (power flows through connection)
- Sound as creation force (echoing many African creation myths)
This synthesis respects specific traditions while recognizing that African fantasy doesn't need to be limited to one mythology.
Orishas as Characters
How fantasy authors handle Orishas varies widely:
- Direct appearance — Orishas as characters in the story
- Powers derived from — Characters with abilities granted by Orishas
- Structural influence — Orisha concepts shaping the world without literal gods
- Reincarnation/possession — Characters who embody Orisha aspects
Each approach has strengths. Direct appearances risk reducing complex divine beings to characters. Structural influence can feel more respectful but less dramatic. The best authors find balance.