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How African mythologies inspire modern science fiction

As Africa is a continent of many cultures, there is a great diversity of myths from one nation to another. To speak of "African mythology" is a simplification that avoids mentioning each distinct tradition.


If you thought science fiction was all about robots, aliens and flashing spaceships, think again! The mythologies of Africa, with their capricious deities, ancestral spirits and stories handed down from generation to generation, are making a dramatic entry into the world of modern science fiction. And frankly, who'd have thought that the ancestors would turn up in our futuristic stories to steal a place in the sun from the androids?


Couverture afro futuriste d'un univers fantastique

Modern science fiction is no longer the preserve of distant galaxies. No, its roots now lie in the fertile soil of mythologies over the world. Take African oral tradition for example, which has always been a means of transmitting knowledge, values and myths. This tradition has found a new playground in futuristic storytelling. Imagine a world where the tales of the ancients materialize in the form of ancestral artificial intelligences, guiding heroes through interstellar adventures. A sort of Siri, ancestral version, who knows not only tomorrow's weather, but also the legends that have explained it since the dawn of time.


Wakanda Forever: When black panthers and ancestors put on a show


The best recent example? Black Panther, of course! In addition to giving us a ton of "vibranium" (because why not), Marvel's film transports us to a universe where the African universe is the beating heart of Wakanda's technology. The fictional kingdom is not just a technological utopia, it's also a place where ancestors reign as much as algorithms. Black panthers roam the afterlife and offer invaluable advice to their descendants, a concept that transforms science fiction into a skilful blend of age-old traditions and futuristic innovations.



Nnedi Okorafor: The ancestor of African Sci-Fi

One name that often comes up when we talk about the influence of "African mythology" on science fiction is Nnedi Okorafor. This Nigerian-American author has transformed science fiction literature by integrating elements of the mythology of the Nigerian peoples, to the point where one might almost believe that ancestral spirits have decided to invite themselves into cyberspace. In his novel "Who Fears Death?", Okorafor explores a post-apocalyptic world where magic and technology intertwine, all sprinkled with a healthy dose of "African mythology". Here, local deities and ancestral spirits don't just float in the ether: they have a direct impact on the real world, and even on circuit boards. Nnedi's novels have won major science fiction and fantasy awards (Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy) as well as the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.



Couverture roman -Qui a peur de la mort de Nnedi Okorafor

Still under the pen of Nnedi Okorafor, the Akata witch series blends the African supernatural with modern life in a way that transforms traditional science fiction. The main character, Sunny, discovers a magical world hidden deep in Nigeria, where ancestral spirits and deities share the limelight with smartphones and flying cars. What's fascinating here is how traditional magic and modern technology don't clash but coexist, enriching the narrative universe with a complexity and depth that defy genre conventions.


Couverture roman Akata Witch de Nnedi Okorafor

In her acclaimed novel "Binti", she weaves a tale where ancestral traditions and cutting-edge technologies meet. The heroine, Binti, carries within her the spirits of her ancestors as she navigates a galactic universe. A true ode to African culture, carried into space!


Couverture roman Binti de Nnedi Akorafor

Ancestral spirits in Children of Blood and Bone

In Tomi Adeyemi's novel Children of Blood and Bone, magic, once banned, is revived in the kingdom of Orïsha, inspired by Yoruba mythology and spirituality. African deities, the Orishas, play a central role in this epic tale as heroine Zélie attempts to restore magic to a world where it has been eradicated by an oppressive power. This novel is not just a fantasy epic, it's also a reflection on African cultural heritage and how it can be incorporated into stories that speak to both the heart and the imagination.


Couverture roman De Sang et de Rage de Tomi Adeyemi

Mythology meets African superheroes

The influence of "African mythology" can also be seen in modern comics. The superhero Kwezi, created by South African Loyiso Mkize, is a teenager gifted with powers derived from ancient African gods. The young hero is faced with moral and spiritual choices that transcend the simple confrontation between good and evil, highlighting African beliefs and values. This blend of superpowers and myths from Africa offers a fresh perspective in the world of comics, making superhero stories even more universal and culturally rich.


Couverture roman Kwesi par Loyiso Mkize

A cultural revolution on the horizon


And what if we went even further? Imagine an artificial intelligence imbued with the wisdom of Anansi, the spider god, famous for his cunning and inventiveness in West African folk tales. In this sci-fi vision, AI is more than just a machine; it becomes a cunning entity, capable of manipulating reality with limitless creativity. It's as if the AI had taken a crash course in African myths to ensure that it would never be tricked by humans.


As it turns out, the mythologies of African countries aren't just whispering in the ears of science fiction writers; she's taken the controls and is now piloting the ship. Whether through films, novels or comics, futuristic narratives are rediscovering the richness of African myths, and they're doing so with unbridled creativity. Ancestral spirits, deities and African mythological creatures are being projected into worlds where technology and tradition coexist, enriching science fiction with new dimensions.


Curious to discover how African mythologies inspire modern science fiction and continue to shape our futuristic tales? Take a look at our page dedicated to Afrofuturism!


Which African deities do you see conquering modern science fiction? Share your ideas in the comments!


Disclosure : Some of the links in this article are "affiliate links". This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission.


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