Mythology

The image to the left is Ikenga, Ibo god of industry and prosperity-giver of strenght in the accomplishment of one's goals.

To provide an example of basic african spirituality/mythology, I will use the Ibos. The Ibos are a major ethnic group that can be found in Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroun and other neigboring countries, as well as in the carribean and throughout the americas. Spirituality as practiced among africans difer in region and ethnicity. However, there are similarities in many of the core beliefs just as similarities exist between the major religions of the world besides their obvious differences. African spirituality has been marginalized by many outside of Africa and even within the continent itself especially among christian converts. This is due to lack of understanding and the fact that every religious system on earth has at some point in time needed to evolve or transcend its present teachings. There are millions of Africans who still practice in the ways of thier ancestors, some of the systems as to be expected, being more evolved than others. We can learn a few things from African spiritual practices. One of them being the belief that consciousness is within all of creation and therefore nature deserves reverence for its free and bountiful provisions to humanity;respect for life and children as blessings from God and a strong belief in universal consciousness which is exemplified in their emphasis on strong communities.

link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibo_mythology
Chukwu is the supreme deity in traditional Igbo mythology. Linguistic studies of the Igbo language suggests the name "Chukwu" is a portmanteau of the Igbo words: "Chi"(spiritual being) and "Ukwu"(great in size).[2] Chukwu is the creator in their pantheon and the Igbo people believe that all things come from Chukwu. Chukwu brings the rains necessary for plants to grow. Everything on earth, heaven and the rest of the spiritual world is under the control of Chukwu.[3]
The Igbo People believe in the concept of Ofo and Ogu, which is more like the law of retributive justice. It is believed that Ofo and Ogu will vindicate anyone that is wrongly accused of a crime as long as their "hands are clean". It is only the one who is on the side of Ogu-na-Ofo that can call its name in prayer. Otherwise such a person will face the wrath of Amadioha (the god of thunder and lightning).[4]
Chi
Particularly in Nigeria, the Igbo People believe that each person has their own personal spiritual assistant or guardian called Chi, appointed to them before and at the time of their birth and remains with them for the rest of their life on Earth. A person's Chi is the personification of that individual's fate, which is credited for an individual's life's successes, misfortunes and failures. The Igbo believe that their success in life is determined by their Chi, and that no man can rise past the greatness of his/her own Chi.

Other deities (nb: westerners refer to them usually as angels or saints)
Main article: Alusi
Other deities or Alusi include Ahia Njoku, the goddess of yams, and Amadioha (or Amadiora) the god of thunder and lightning. In addition to them there are:
Igwekaala: sky god,
Ani: earth goddess and goddess of fertility.
Ikenga: god of fortune and industry,
Anyanwu: (literally:"eye of the sun" sun goddess)
Idemmili: mother goddess of villages through which the idemili river flows (Oba, Obosi, Ogidi, Ojoto etc)
Agwu: god of medicine men, god of divination and healing
Ahobinagu: forest god,
Aro (Aro-chukwu): god of judgment (also seen as the Supreme god's "Chukwu's" agent of judgment.
Njoku Ji: God of Yam
Ogbunabali (literally: [he who] kills by/at night): an Igbo god of death
Agbala: goddess of the hills and caves or the holy/perfect spirit in Nri
Eke: god/governor of the eastern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Eke Markets and days.
Orie: god/governor of the western sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Orie Markets and days.
Afo: god/governor of the northern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Afo Markets and days.
Nkwo: god/governor of the southern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Nkwo Markets and days.

Minor spirits
Igbo mythology also contains multiple minor spirits. Among them are:
Mbatuku: spirit of wealth
Ikoro: drum spirit
Ekwu: heart spirit or spirit of the home
Imo miri: river spirit[5]
okwara-afo: for Nkwerre people in Imo state is god of mercantile activities
Aju-mmiri: sea-goddess in Nkwerre is goddess of prosperity, fertility and general well-being.
Ogbuide: goddess of the water associated with the Oguta people.
Urashi and Enyija: god of the river
Ezenwaanyi/Owummiri: Female Water Spirit, Mermaid, Seductress