Aziza (African mythology)

The Aziza (African) are a type of beneficent supernatural race in West African (specifically, Dahomey) mythology. Living in the forest, they provide good magic for hunters. They are also known to have given practical and spiritual knowledge to people (including knowledge of the use of fire). The Aziza are described as little fairy people and are said to live in anthills and silk-cotton trees.[1] The plant genus Aziza has been named in their honour.[2]

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While the Aziza are usually described as a people, some traditions also refer to a single individual by name "Aziza", with similar traits. For example, Jeje oral tradition has a divinity called "Aziza" (described as a small, single-legged man smoking a pipe).[3]

Aziza is also a god of the Urhobo people of the Western Niger Delta of Nigeria.[4]

References
  1. Fon and Ewe Religion Summary.
  2. Farminhão, João N. M.; D'haijère, Tania; Droissart, Vincent; Dumbo Isonga, Landry; Dong, Ling; Verlynde, Simon; Plunkett, Gregory M.; Simo-Droissart, Murielle; Stévart, Tariq (2020-09-25). "An Elegy to Rangaeris, Including a Description of Two New Genera in the Cyrtorchis–Tridactyle Clade (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae)". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 105 (3): 300–322. doi:10.3417/2020472. ISSN 2162-4372.
  3. Philip M. Peek and Kwesi Yankah, African Folklore: An Encyclopedia, p. 89
  4. Ochuko J. Tonukari,Aziza: King of the Urhobo Forest waado.org (Urhobo Historical Society )
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