A Who's Who of World Mythology : Ala


Ala (Ale, Ana, Ani) is a popular fertility deity of the Ibo people of eastern Nigeria and West Africa. She is also a goddess of the underworld. According to lore, the underworld resides in her womb. Her temple is located in the Mbari. A statue is located there depicting her with a child in her lap and adorned by the crescent moon with attending deities. She has many local shrines well stocked with votive offerings. Ala seems also to be a guardian of morality in such that all serious crimes, including murder, are considered offenses against her.