We are sooo back!!! In this “A→Z” first episode, Adeche (Adwoa & Solomon) take you on an immersive journey through four foundational entries in the Encyclopaedia of African Religion: Abasi, Abosom, Abuk and Adinkra Symbols. Whether you’re a scholar of African religion­ mythology, a mythology lover seeking inspiring content, or an art enthusiast curious about the visual language of Akan culture. There's so much to learn.

📖 Episode Overview

00:00 - 02:09 Introduction

Adeche share updates, introduce our Patreon (transcripts, slide decks, livestreams) and explain why Season 4 expands “ASMR A→Z” into an “A→Z Immersion” format.

02:09 - 11:02 Abasi (Efik Creator)

Learn how Abasi, the sky-dwelling Creator, retreats when humans farm and procreate. See Atai’s role, Ekpe (Ukara/Nsibidi) secret societies as mediators, and the Abakuá brotherhood in Cuba influencing Afro-Cuban music.

11:02 - 23:37 Abosom (Akan Spirits)

Abosom are intermediary deities connecting humans to Nyame. We cover three categories (territorial, family and clan spirits) and highlight key figures like Akonnedi (justice) and Nana Asuo Gyebi (healing). Discover the Akradinbosom system (daily deities shaping one’s kra and nkrabea) and the role of Akomfo (priests) and Bosomfie (spirit-houses).

23:37 - 31:00 Abuk (Dinka First Woman)

Abuk, formed from Nile-clay by Nhialic, plants one millet grain-pioneering agriculture. Her “blue-bird severing” opens heaven, unleashing mortality. Compare Abuk to Eve, Pandora and Mbokomu. Explore living traditions: blue-bead braiding, snake-staff rites and diaspora performances.

31:00 - 39:00 (Approx.) Adinkra Symbols (Akan Visual Proverbs)

Adinkra began as funeral cloth stamps using calabash and plant dyes. Over fifty symbols (e.g. Gye Nyame, Sankofa, Dwennimmen) encode moral lessons: humility, wisdom and independence. See Adinkra’s role in workshops, fashion in Accra, London and New York, and diaspora art.

🔑 Why Listen & Takeaways

1. Creation Narratives
2. Compare human curiosity/disobedience in Efik, Akan and Dinka myths and reflect on divine withdrawal.
3. Intermediaries & Secret Societies
4. Abosom (Akan) and Ekpe/Abakuá (Efik/Cuba) bridge the gap with the Creator through rituals and masked dances.
5. First-Woman Myths & Innovation
6. Contrast Abuk’s co-creation with Eve’s fall, mortality as a byproduct of ingenuity.
7. Adinkra’s Moral Language
8. Adinkra condenses ethics into images, guiding identity and modern designs in diaspora contexts.
9. Diaspora & Artistic Legacies

📢 Call to Action

If you love African mythology, culture and art, please like, share and subscribe! Comment: which segment resonated most?. Hit 🔔 for new episodes.

Support Adeche on Patreon (transcripts, slides, livestreams): patreon.com/adecheatelier

- Adeche (Adwoa & Solomon)

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