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Origin: Akan people, Ghana. Anansi is a trickster god who shapes many aspects of the world through cunning and wit. He often appears as a spider and features in a variety of tales where his prowess and intellect are highlighted.

Origin: Various parts of Africa. Mami Wata is a water spirit celebrated throughout much of Africa. She is often portrayed as a mermaid and is associated with water, fertility, and the feminine essence.

Origin: Yoruba people, Nigeria. The Yoruba pantheon is rich with gods and goddesses, such as Ogun, the god of iron, and Yemoja, the mother of all Orishas. They play integral roles in the cosmology and cultural practices of the Yoruba people.

Origin: Mali Empire. Sundiata Keita is the hero of an epic which details the rise of the Mali Empire's founder. Overcoming adversity and disability, Sundiata's legend reflects themes of heroism and the fulfillment of destiny.

Origin: Ethiopian tradition ties the story of Queen Sheba to their history, though variations exist across cultures. She is said to have visited King Solomon, and their encounter is foundational to the royal lineage in Ethiopia.

Origin: Ancient Egypt. Osiris, god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility, was murdered and dismembered by his brother Set. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body, leading to his resurrection and the tradition of mummification.

Origin: Various African cultures share different versions of this animal's origins. One notable story is from the San people, which attributes the zebra's stripes to a battle with a baboon.

Origin: Zulu mythology. The Tokoloshe is a dwarf-like water sprite that is mischievous and can become invisible by drinking water. It's a common figure in cautionary tales.

Origin: Serer people, Senegal. Dinga is a legendary figure revered in Serer religion and kingship. His epic deals with complex themes of lineage, social order, and the supernatural.

Origin: West African folklore. Ninki Nanka is a legendary creature believed to reside in the Gambia River. This dragon-like being is often the central figure in stories about bravery and the unknown.

Origin: Soninke people, West Africa. The legend of Wagadu speaks of the rise and fall of a great city, which is dictated by the morality of its people. It connects to the history of the Ghana Empire.

Origin: Akan mythology, Ghana. Nyame is the sky god who created all things. He is believed to bestow wisdom and knowledge and determine fate.

Origin: Mythical tales from several African countries. The 'African Unicorn' refers to the okapi, a forest-dwelling animal that was though mythical until it was scientifically discovered, much like the narwhal.

Origin: The Bushongo people of Congo. Bumba is a god who, according to the creation myth, vomited out the sun, moon, stars, and living creatures, and thus the Earth and all life began to form.