Due to the superior biodiversity and proximity to trade routes, West Africa had a distinct advantage over the rest of the continent and thus developed a vast array of cities, many acting as their own kingdoms, and many with their own language and culture.

 

With the vast array of cultures came a vast array of spiritual and religious beliefs and accompanying folklore. Often these beliefs would overlap, or influence, others and yet certain belief systems remained unchanged due to their isolation.

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Due to numerous factors, such as commerce and slave trading, several of these belief systems were "exported" to other parts of the world such as Brazil and the Caribbean and became ingrained into new cultures. At times they remained somewhat consistent with their native practices, yet in other cases they evolved into substantially difference forms of belief such as, Voodoo, Hoodoo and Santeria.

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Of the various mythologies and belief systems that did or do exist within Western Africa, or have been exported afar, the most popular, practiced and influential are the Yoruba, Vodun and Akan faiths.

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Written myths from West Africa were not established until the 1800s. Most myths were passed from one generation to another orally. These myths were told by storytellers and grandparents. Elements and figures of West African mythology might sometimes be regarded as part of West Africa Traditional religion.