Anyanwu (anyaanwū, meaning "eye of the sun" in Igbo) is the sun goddess of the good fortune, knowledge, and wisdom in the traditional Igbo religion called Odinala. She is an alusi, a tutelary spirit that was created by the Supreme god, Chukwu, to fulfill a specific responsibility related to nature or a principle. They are similar to bisimbi in Bakongo religion and orishas in Yoruba religion.[1]
| Anyanwu | |
|---|---|
Sun Goddess of Good Fortune, Knowledge, and Wisdom | |
| Venerated in | Odinala |
| Symbol | sun disk |
| Ethnic group | Igbo people |
| Equivalents | |
| Norse | Sól (Germanic mythology) |
| Inca | Inti |
Anyanwu is also the name given to a major character in the Octavia E. Butler's Patternist series.[2]
Anyanwu is also the name attributed to the "Spirit Face" (who is assertive) of Sunny Nwazue in Akata Witch and Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor.[3]
See also
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References
edit- ^ Amadiegwu, Mildred (2004-08-06). "The power of the alusi". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ "Patternist Series". Octavia E. Butler. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ "The Akata Books - Nnedi Okorafor". Nnedi.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.