Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples

Ivan Makarchuk; Ekaterina Kostyaeva

doi:10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106

VAK Russia 5 UDC 39 CSCSTI 21.00 Russian Classification of Professions by Education 51.00.00 Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification 8 Russian Trade and Bibliographic Classification 8 BISAC REL

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SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE IMAGE OF DEATH AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS IT IN THE MYTHOLOGY OF AFRICAN PEOPLES Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples

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Published in Asia, America and Africa history and modernity · Volume 5, Issue 1 · Pages 96–106 · Rubric: African Studies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106 · EDN: ASMNUG

Received: 09.03.2026 Accepted: 20.03.2026 Published: 30.03.2026

Authors

Ivan Makarchuk

Ekaterina Kostyaeva

Ivan Makarchuk

Russian Federation

Ekaterina Kostyaeva

Siberian Federal University leading specialist · Academic Council Support Department · Krasnoyarsk

Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk

ABSTRACT

This article is devoted to the study of mythological motifs of African peoples in terms of their attitude to death in religious and mythological heritage. The authors consider the theme of death as an integral part of African consciousness, exploring its influence on the everyday life, mentality and beliefs of the peoples of the region. The main methodology is the textual and cultural analysis of folklore materials, which allows us to identify the cultural meanings and significance contained in traditional African legends and beliefs. The authors highlight key mythological motifs that explain the causes of human mortality. Among them are stories about false news, the impossibility of changing one's skin, refusal to undergo trials, and the defective nature of man. An important place is given to the image of the moon as an archetype of immortality, which appears in the myths of most African peoples. Particular attention is paid to the process of dying and related beliefs, as well as rituals of farewell to the dead, emphasising the close connection between the living and the dead. The study also examines the characteristics of African eschatology, which is characterised by two main concepts of posthumous existence: retribution for deeds during life and the absence of a clear dichotomy between heaven and hell. It analyses personalised images of death and spirits, which play a central role in shaping views on the phenomenon of death in Africa. Accordingly, the work presents a comprehensive study of the mythological aspects of the perception of death in the culture of African peoples, revealing the richness and diversity of approaches to death as a universal human experience.

KEYWORDS

African mythology, death, religion, ritual practices, ancient deities.

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Makarchuk I. Y., Kostyaeva E. S. Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples // Asia, America and Africa history and modernity. 2026. no. 1. pp. 96-106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106. EDN: ASMNUG. (Date of access 02.10.2026).

MLA

Ivan Makarchuk, Kostyaeva E. S.. "Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5.1 (2026): 96-106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106. EDN: ASMNUG.

APA

Makarchuk I. Y., Kostyaeva E. S. (2026). Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples. Asia, America and Africa history and modernity, 5(1), 96-106. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106 EDN: ASMNUG.

Chicago

Ivan Makarchuk, Kostyaeva E. S.. "Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5, no. 1 (2026): 96-106. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106. EDN: ASMNUG.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Makarchuk I. Y., Kostyaeva E. S. | title = Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples | journal = Asia, America and Africa history and modernity | year = 2026 | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 96-106 | doi = 10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-96-106 }} EDN: ASMNUG

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SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE IMAGE OF DEATH AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS IT IN THE MYTHOLOGY OF AFRICAN PEOPLES Specific features of the image of death and attitudes towards it in the mythology of African peoples

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