No Be Juju! An African Mythology Podcast

NBJ
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It’s the podcast you never asked for. We are no mythologists (shoutout Wikipedia), just two young Nigerians eager to discover the richness of African storytelling and culture. We’ll recount myths and legends about warriors, heroes, gods and goddesses from the incredibly diverse African pantheons in a fun, contemporary way, drawing parallels with pop culture on the continent and beyond. It’s all vibes, NOT juju— really. Follow us on Instagram and Substack (@nbjpodcast) for more mythology facts, deep dives and vibes that didn't quite make the cut. Don't miss out!

Episodes

  1. Jun 16

    All About Ogun: The Orisha of Iron and War

    Your fave wannabe mythologists are back at it again with another exciting episode! Listen and learn about Ogun, the Yoruba Orisha of war, iron, and innovation (dynamic right?!). Tune in for this episode's Vibe of the Week (3:39), where we explore Chinua Achebe's timeless classic novel Things Fall Apart. Subscribe to our Substack and follow us on Instagram to keep up with new episodes, little known mythology facts and more!

    All About Ogun: The Orisha of Iron and War

  2. May 5

    Hoodoo & The Blues: Exploring Ryan Coogler's "Sinners"

    It's our tenth episode, and we are back at it with yet another Sinners (?deep 😅) dive! Join us as we explore the mystical origins of Hoodoo (21:38), Blues Music (39:57) and so much more! And for the curious ones, here's Driftwood (@filmingdriftwood), a mystical short film written and directed by one of our co-hosts, which covers similar themes, from identity and religion to legacy and cultural preservation. If you enjoyed this episode, pls do the needful (like, share and subscribe!)

    Hoodoo & The Blues: Exploring Ryan Coogler's "Sinners"

  3. Apr 9

    Tomb Raider: Repatriation & The Orisha of Agriculture

    The wannabe mythologists are back! Join us as we recap the first two episodes of Netflix's phenomenal second season of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (14:45), which follows various Orishas and Yoruba deities. From thought provoking discussions on repatriation (19:00), to light-hearted deep-dives on Oko the Orisha of Harvest & Agriculture (35:00), we hope you enjoy the vibes as much as we did! We also reflect on 5 years of No Be Juju! An African Mythology Podcast (we're as befuddled as you are 😅) and share our respective Vibes of the Week (2:38) and African Proverb of the Day (1:09:24). Don't forget to like, share and subscribe! Leave us a comment on Instagram, Substack and Twitter - we'd love to hear your thoughts ⚡️

    Tomb Raider: Repatriation & The Orisha of Agriculture

  4. 10/05/2025

    Exploring "Sinners" and the Legend of Ibeji

    In our latest episode, we explore the influence of African mythology in popular culture, we uncover some of the lore behind Ryan Coogler's hit movie "Sinners", specifically the Legend of Ibeji-- sacred twins in Yoruba spirituality, believed to share a single soul and an unbreakable bond. Tune in for another exciting listen with the wannabe mythologists-- as always, it's all about the vibes! Oh, and if you enjoyed the episode (how can you not!!-- jk), don't forget to like, share, follow and subscribe!

    Exploring "Sinners" and the Legend of Ibeji

  5. 06/25/2025

    African Mythology in Pop Culture: Castlevania Nocturne

    The Wannabe Mythologists are back after an extended hiatus (sorry!) with an unreleased episode exploring the influence of African Mythology on popular culture! Tune in for an intriguing conversation uncovering the origins of Ogun, the Yoruba god of war and metals, and Papa Legba, the guardian of the crossroads in West African Vodun. Don't miss our thoughts on the various portrayals of African deities in TV and film, and hear us wax lyrical about our not-so-secret obsession with Annette from Castlevania: Nocturne. Listen out for an especially extensive "Vibe of the Week" and don't forget to like, share, follow and subscribe!

    African Mythology in Pop Culture: Castlevania Nocturne

  6. 09/30/2023

    Shaka Zulu: The Legendary Warrior King

    The Wannabe Mythologists are back at it with another one on #InternationalPodcastDay! Tune in for an exciting and informative episode on Shaka Zulu, a legendary and polarizing figure in African History. Listen out for a particularly epic "Vibe of the Week"** and be inspired by more than a few instructive Zulu proverbs. And don't forget to like, share, follow and subscribe (all the things). **For the curious ones, check out soundcloud.app.goo.gl/akwftjyxXuLDameA6 (thank us later!!)

    Shaka Zulu: The Legendary Warrior King

  7. 09/01/2023

    African Mermaids: Yemoja & Inkosazana

    The podcast you never knew you needed is back with a (delayed) splash! We're diving deep into the world of African Mermaids and fertility goddesses---> meet Yemoja, the water spirit and mother of all Yoruba Orishas, and Inkosazana, the extraordinary Zulu shapeshifter. Listen out for our uncharacteristically serious Vibes of the Week and stay tuned for a couple of African Proverbs that are equally un-vibey!

    African Mermaids: Yemoja & Inkosazana

  8. 03/05/2023

    The Divine Feminine: Oshun

    The podcast you never asked for is back* and better than ever! Join us wannabe mythologists this Women's History Month as we delve into the Yoruba goddess of divinity, femininity, fertility, beauty, and love-- Oshun. *Apologies for the > year-long hiatus (we are cringing more than you are). Tune in to hear us talk about Oshun's heroic origins, and the reasons behind her continued popularity. Oh and (of course) the Queen B and embodiment of goddess energy herself, Beyoncé. Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a comment on Instagram and Twitter. Missed you guys!!

    The Divine Feminine: Oshun

  9. 07/09/2021

    African Tricksters: Eshu & Anansi

    This ep is all about two well-known West-African trickster gods: Eshu and Anansi. We formalize ‘Vibe of the Week’ (1:08) and talk about: How Anansi became the god of all knowledge of stories (4:21)Eshu’s many roles, his dual nature and the English translation controversy (19:11)Anansi and the pot of wisdom (48:22)Listen to the end for the African Proverb of the Day (51:45), and (of course) our 🔥 theme song!  Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

    African Tricksters: Eshu & Anansi

  10. 06/01/2021

    Gods of Thunder!

    The wannabe mythologists are back with another one! All about African thunder gods, warriors and heroes. Tune in to hear about:  Tsetse Bumba’s infamous temper - Kuba Kingdom, DRC (3:50) Shango’s mystical origins - Oyo Empire, Nigeria (9:15) The heroic tale of Sudika-Mbambi - Ambundu people, Angola (23:03) Kiwanuka’s impartiality - Buganda Kingdom, Uganda (49:41) Listen to the end for the African adage of the day (58:25), and of course, our fire theme song!  If you liked this episode, follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

    Gods of Thunder!

  11. 05/16/2021

    African Creation Stories

    Our first episode! Filled with ‘ums’, ‘interestings’, and quite a bit of background noise, it’s clear that we’re new to this! But bear with us, it can only get better from here (we hope) We discuss our podcast creation story (0:52), and a variety of African myths of origin, from: West Africa - The Yoruba tribe (10:55) South Africa - The Nguni kingdom (17:46)Central Africa- The Kuba kingdom (25:56) Listen till the end to hear the African adage of the day and our theme song* If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the pod & follow us on Instagram and Twitter! *disclaimer: it’s fire.

    African Creation Stories

  12. Season 1 Trailer

    TRAILER

    The African mythology podcast you never knew you needed. Vibes.

Trailer

About

It’s the podcast you never asked for. We are no mythologists (shoutout Wikipedia), just two young Nigerians eager to discover the richness of African storytelling and culture. We’ll recount myths and legends about warriors, heroes, gods and goddesses from the incredibly diverse African pantheons in a fun, contemporary way, drawing parallels with pop culture on the continent and beyond. It’s all vibes, NOT juju— really. Follow us on Instagram and Substack (@nbjpodcast) for more mythology facts, deep dives and vibes that didn't quite make the cut. Don't miss out!

Information