What does the snake mean in Africa. Encyclopedia of symbols

Snake: mentor and healer

The figure shows an image of a snake from the area where the people who speak the Akan language live (mainly the people of the state of Ghana). Snakes are especially worshiped in Africa. They are considered messengers of ancestors or even spirits. So, for example, the Zulu king can appear after his death in the form of a huge mamba. It happens that during the ritual, a snake takes possession of one of the participants. In this state, the snake is asked to send rain or predict something. Snakes represent the spirits of water, such as the "rain snakes Yao and Lenge in Mozambique." Hokwe believe that pregnant women carry a snake in their belly, a kind of ancestral spirit that grows the embryo and prepares it for life.

Often snakes are revered as teachers and healers, they take part in the solemn ceremonies of initiation of novice healers, healers and healers. Sacrificial offerings are offered to them practically throughout Africa.

Source: "Symbols of Africa" ​​Heike Ovuzu