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Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
NUMBERSYMBOLISM
Numbers can be symbols for something that has a
much deeper meaning than simply their numerical
value. Numbers can express ideas. Much of what
passes for historical stories are really an inner
understanding of deeper beliefs. Mythologies con-
tain symbols that can be seen and sometimes han-
dled and used to make visible an invisible truth or
belief held important by the society.
Quite often in Africa numbers are related to
gender. However, the assigning of a specific num-
ber to either of the sexes is by no means universal.
Some cultures denote masculinity by an odd
number and femininity by an even number. Other
cultures assign even numbers to males and odd
numbers to females.
Meanings of the Number 2In the culture of North Eritrea, the number 2 is
assigned to woman. This number has an impor-
tant meaning throughout Africa. In ancient
African religions, the number 2 signified two
planes. One was conceptual, and the other was a
plane of action. This idea is expressed in practice
by accepting the Creator in concept only, while
another Being is recognized as the controller in
the affairs of the world and is treated as such in
the religious services.
Twin births are received differently by different
people, but never go unacknowledged. For the
Sango of the Eastern Ubangui, this is cause for
great celebration that continues throughout the
lives of the twins. But a much harsher reality
awaits twins born among the Diola, where only
one is allowed to survive. The Ibo consider the
birth of twins as an evil omen, and frequently
none are allowed to survive. The Miseke of
Luanda believe that twins possess magical powers,
and, for this reason, they receive great respect.
The following are examples of the varied
usage of the number 2. Khen and Jippur are the
names of the two social groups of the Angas.
The Lala celebrate female puberty with 2 days
of dance. The Yoruba describe two types of
married women: the old and the young. Two
groups of ancestral spirits are revered by the
Mende. The Wapogoros identify two types of
spirit: the bad and the good. A secret language
is used by the Balovale for initiations and funer-
als. The Ibo god Ikenga is shown with two half-
moon-shaped horns. Two animals are sacrificed
on the second day of a Makhanya wedding.
Certain Congo people bury their dead in two
stages. The Kikuyu and Kamba use red and
black on their shields. For the Shiluks, it is
the aunt’s responsibility to gift two cattle to the
dowry of her nephew’s soon-to-be wife. The
Togos shape their teeth so that each has two
points. Ajagbo, a Yoruba god, is represented as
a double image. Nigerian jewelry is often made
up of two figures, masculine and feminine,
mounted on a chain. Bideyogo paintings often
show the number 2 as two women, two men,
two youths, two bulls, or two of anything in an
activity. Further, the Kimbundu do not
announce the death of their great chief for
2 days. The body is attended to by four digni-
taries and is allowed to dry for 2 years. The
Ovibundu chiefs are buried in a way that allows
access to only two people. The Fali say the
world was born from two eggs: one from a toad
and the other from a turtle.462 Number Symbolism