Resources · Deity catalogue
Bumba
Boshongo (Bantu)
About this being
Bumba is a creator god in the Boshongo (Bantu) tradition of southern Africa. He brings the world into being from chaos through an act of vomiting prompted by stomachache, producing the earth, sun and moon, followed by all living beings, including humanity.
AI-assisted summary of an imported deity entry; awaiting editorial review.
Search narratives for this name →Opens a narrative search; the results have not been verified as occurrences of this being. Reading narratives requires an account.
- Collection
- Deity catalogue
- Source tradition label
- Boshongo (Bantu)
- Character families
- Divine and sacred beings (suggested)
Suggestions use the entry description and, where identified in the review, general folklore knowledge. They await editorial review.
- Geographical associations
- Comoros Islands (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Yao, Makua (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Shone (Shona, =Mashona, =Karanga), Makoni (Shoni dialect), Remba (=Hungwe, Wahungwe); Zezuru, Rozwi, Ndau (Vandau) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Ila (Baila) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Malawi (incl Nyanja, Banyanja, Manganja), Tumbuka (incl Henga), Nsenga, Matengo, (Ba)Wenda (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Nyungwe (Tete) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Swahili, Midjikenda (incl Giryama), Nyika, Duruma; Ngindo, Kiluguru and other Islamic groups of the Eastern Coast of Africa (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Kerewe, Sukuma, Kwaya, Kumbi, Busiba, Gusii, Suba (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Nyamwesi, Sumbwa (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Nyatutu, Kiniramba, Isanzu (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Fipa (Bafipa), Iramba, Bende (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Chagga (Jagga; incl Wasu), Pare, Digo (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Kikuyu, Chuka, Embu, Emberre, Mwimbe (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Gogo, Kaguru, Luguru, Zigula, Taveta, Shambala (Sambala), Bondei, Taeta, Dabida; Zaramo (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Kamba, Tharaka (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Hehe, Pangwa (Upper Rufudji area), Bena, Matumbi, Ngoni, Pogolo, (Ma)konde, Mawiha (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Safwa, Mkulwe, Ngonde, Kinga, Nyakusa, Nyamwanga (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Ganda, (Ba)Nyoro, Nyankole, Masaba (Gisu), Luia (=Luyia, Haya, Luhya, Bantu Kawirondo; incl. Vugusu, Maragoli) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Rwanda (incl Hutu, Tutsi, Kiga), Rundi, (Ma)Shi, Banyabungu; Rega (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Luba (Baluba, Luba-Katanga, Shaba), (Ba)Holoholo, Tumbwe, Bena-Piana, Tabwa, Benabena-Mitumba, Zela, Bene-Marungu (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Bemba (Wemba, Babemba; incl Ambo, Lala, Lamba, Bisa), Holoholo, Kaonde (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Lunda (Alunda) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Songe (Kisonge), Bena-Matembo (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Sakata (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Kete, Luba-Kasai, Bena (Bene) Lulua; (Bena-)Kanioka (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Congo (Koongo, Bacongo; incl Vili, Fioti, (Ma)Yombe, MuKunyi), Ndombo, Luango (Loango), Zombo (Sambo), Laadi (Laari), (Ba)Fioti, Woyo (Kiwoyo), Ronga (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Lingala, (Ba)Ngala, Ntomba, Kioque, (Ki)Bangi, Bolia, Balolo, Boloki, (Ba)Akwa, (U)Poto (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Lega, Bangubangu (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Soko (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Yaka (in Angola and Congo) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Boa, Komo, (Ba)Nyanga, Mbole (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Bushoong: (Ba)kuba, Dengese, Ngongo; Yansi (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Mongo (Mongo-Nkundu), Nkundu, Ngelima, Ngombe, (Ba)Tetela), Pende, Wu(Kusu), (Ba)Mbala (incl Saie, Kwilu) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Mbundu (Umbundu, Kimbundu, Chimbundu, Ovimbundu), Kwanyama, Owambo (=Ambo) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Luchasi (Ngangela), Chokwe (Konwe); Mbukushu (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Lozi (Losi, Rotse, Barotse), Lui, Subiya (Subia) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Herero (Herrero) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Zulu, Swazi (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Kosa (Xosa, Xhosa) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Tswana (Chwana), Suto (Soto; incl Pedi, Mbire) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Duala (Douala), Basa (Basaá), Kwiri (Kweli), Isubu (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Maka (Makaa), Baya, Kaka (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Fang (Pangwe), Eton, Bafia, Batanga, Benga, Bube (Bubi), Buheba, Yaunde (Ewondo), Yebekolo, Koko, Bulu, Beti (Beti-Bulu), Sekiani, Eghap (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Aka, Baka (Badjue) and other Western (Bantu speaking) Pygmies (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Enenga, Mpongwe, Kuta (Koto), Nkomi, Masango, Mindumu, Mbede, Mitsogo, Bawunga, Ndumu (Ndumbo), Duma, Teke, (B)wende (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Ndebele, Pedi, Thonga (Tsonga incl Ronga), Hlengwe, Matabele (Tebele) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Tonga (Tsonga; incl, Soli, Sala, Lenje) (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Yeyi (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Mozambique (language-group context) View tradition →
Suggested association from the primary tradition “Boshongo (Bantu)” for “Bumba, creator god”. Matched through the language group; individual occurrences have not been verified. Awaiting editorial review.
- Comoros Islands (language-group context) View tradition →
Traditions recorded in the source
Source affiliation labels are shown separately from their suggested map locations. Influences and comparisons are distinguished from primary affiliation.
- Boshongo (Bantu) · Primary affiliation
Explore by place
Catalogue coverage
Beings associated with a tradition
1 entries at 49 tradition locations · 0 without tradition coordinates
Markers use tradition coordinates linked through source names, recorded aliases, language groups or reviewed associations. Deity links awaiting review are labelled as suggestions. Language-group links show cultural context, rather than verified occurrences in every tradition. Select a marker to list deities, creatures or all catalogue entries for its tradition, or examine its narratives in a new tab. Counts cover all matching entries across every results page.
Use the location filter or the list below to browse associated places.
Browse associated places without the map
- Aka, Baka (Badjue) and other Western (Bantu speaking) Pygmies (1)
- Bemba (Wemba, Babemba; incl Ambo, Lala, Lamba, Bisa), Holoholo, Kaonde (1)
- Boa, Komo, (Ba)Nyanga, Mbole (1)
- Bushoong: (Ba)kuba, Dengese, Ngongo; Yansi (1)
- Chagga (Jagga; incl Wasu), Pare, Digo (1)
- Comoros Islands (1)
- Congo (Koongo, Bacongo; incl Vili, Fioti, (Ma)Yombe, MuKunyi), Ndombo, Luango (Loango), Zombo (Sambo), Laadi (Laari), (Ba)Fioti, Woyo (Kiwoyo), Ronga (1)
- Duala (Douala), Basa (Basaá), Kwiri (Kweli), Isubu (1)
- Enenga, Mpongwe, Kuta (Koto), Nkomi, Masango, Mindumu, Mbede, Mitsogo, Bawunga, Ndumu (Ndumbo), Duma, Teke, (B)wende (1)
- Fang (Pangwe), Eton, Bafia, Batanga, Benga, Bube (Bubi), Buheba, Yaunde (Ewondo), Yebekolo, Koko, Bulu, Beti (Beti-Bulu), Sekiani, Eghap (1)
- Fipa (Bafipa), Iramba, Bende (1)
- Ganda, (Ba)Nyoro, Nyankole, Masaba (Gisu), Luia (=Luyia, Haya, Luhya, Bantu Kawirondo; incl. Vugusu, Maragoli) (1)
- Gogo, Kaguru, Luguru, Zigula, Taveta, Shambala (Sambala), Bondei, Taeta, Dabida; Zaramo (1)
- Hehe, Pangwa (Upper Rufudji area), Bena, Matumbi, Ngoni, Pogolo, (Ma)konde, Mawiha (1)
- Herero (Herrero) (1)
- Ila (Baila) (1)
- Kamba, Tharaka (1)
- Kerewe, Sukuma, Kwaya, Kumbi, Busiba, Gusii, Suba (1)
- Kete, Luba-Kasai, Bena (Bene) Lulua; (Bena-)Kanioka (1)
- Kikuyu, Chuka, Embu, Emberre, Mwimbe (1)
- Kosa (Xosa, Xhosa) (1)
- Lega, Bangubangu (1)
- Lingala, (Ba)Ngala, Ntomba, Kioque, (Ki)Bangi, Bolia, Balolo, Boloki, (Ba)Akwa, (U)Poto (1)
- Lozi (Losi, Rotse, Barotse), Lui, Subiya (Subia) (1)
- Luba (Baluba, Luba-Katanga, Shaba), (Ba)Holoholo, Tumbwe, Bena-Piana, Tabwa, Benabena-Mitumba, Zela, Bene-Marungu (1)
- Luchasi (Ngangela), Chokwe (Konwe); Mbukushu (1)
- Lunda (Alunda) (1)
- Maka (Makaa), Baya, Kaka (1)
- Malawi (incl Nyanja, Banyanja, Manganja), Tumbuka (incl Henga), Nsenga, Matengo, (Ba)Wenda (1)
- Mbundu (Umbundu, Kimbundu, Chimbundu, Ovimbundu), Kwanyama, Owambo (=Ambo) (1)
- Mongo (Mongo-Nkundu), Nkundu, Ngelima, Ngombe, (Ba)Tetela), Pende, Wu(Kusu), (Ba)Mbala (incl Saie, Kwilu) (1)
- Mozambique (1)
- Ndebele, Pedi, Thonga (Tsonga incl Ronga), Hlengwe, Matabele (Tebele) (1)
- Nyamwesi, Sumbwa (1)
- Nyatutu, Kiniramba, Isanzu (1)
- Nyungwe (Tete) (1)
- Rwanda (incl Hutu, Tutsi, Kiga), Rundi, (Ma)Shi, Banyabungu; Rega (1)
- Safwa, Mkulwe, Ngonde, Kinga, Nyakusa, Nyamwanga (1)
- Sakata (1)
- Shone (Shona, =Mashona, =Karanga), Makoni (Shoni dialect), Remba (=Hungwe, Wahungwe); Zezuru, Rozwi, Ndau (Vandau) (1)
- Soko (1)
- Songe (Kisonge), Bena-Matembo (1)
- Swahili, Midjikenda (incl Giryama), Nyika, Duruma; Ngindo, Kiluguru and other Islamic groups of the Eastern Coast of Africa (1)
- Tonga (Tsonga; incl, Soli, Sala, Lenje) (1)
- Tswana (Chwana), Suto (Soto; incl Pedi, Mbire) (1)
- Yaka (in Angola and Congo) (1)
- Yao, Makua (1)
- Yeyi (1)
- Zulu, Swazi (1)
Sources and attribution
Source attribution is being completed.
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261029.1 (29 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
0009-0006-1672-4451
The citation version records the access date and does not identify an archived database snapshot.
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licences.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
Rights in original software, interface design and other protected material not expressly licensed for reuse are reserved to their respective rights holders.
Text and data mining: For protected material not offered under a Creative Commons or other reuse licence, the Folklore Database reserves the rights it holds in automated extraction, dataset creation and AI training, to the extent permitted by law. This reservation does not restrict uses permitted by the applicable Creative Commons or other licence, public-domain status, or statutory exceptions and limitations. Third-party material retains its own terms. Please contact us for help identifying the applicable sources, licences and attribution for bulk research access.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. Rights reserved except where licensed or otherwise stated.