War Gods. The notion that wars were sanctioned by the gods was a widely held belief in West Africa. Several communities had special deities responsible for war. For example, Adzobo is the divinity of war among the Fon-Ewe of the modern nation of Benin. For the Yorubas, Ogun, a lesser god associated with iron, is the patron god of warriors. Ogun's fearlessness is symbolized by the viper he carries, and Yoruba warriors were expected to emulate Ogun's bravery in battle. In the parts of West Africa where war gods were recognized, designated warriors frequently carried emblems and symbols of these deities on the battlefield. Even where there were no specific gods of war, certain political leaders were thought to be imbued with magical powers that they used to their advantage in warfare.

Rituals. Before soldiers set out for battle...