Key Info

- Sits on top of a palm tree (Fa, her husband) and watches over the Earth, Sky and Sea Kingdoms

- Has 16 eyes signifying her ability to see the future, but they remain closed to the present unless Legba gives her permission to open them

Brief Bio

Gbadu is a god in the Dahomey mythology of the Fon people, who are now based in Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. She is one of Mawu-Lisa’s daughters, and just like her parents, consists of both a female and male aspect though she is mostly referred to with female pronouns. Gbadu is described as the female counterpart to Fa.

According to certain accounts, Gbadu is considered the goddess of fate in Dahomey mythology. Her myths are heavily associated with the Ifa or Fa divination, and according to Dahomean folklore, her offspring were responsible for teaching and spreading the practice among humans.

Since her birth, Gbadu was instructed by Mawu to sit on top of a palm tree and watch over the Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom of the Earth, the Kingdom of the Sky, and the Kingdom of the Sea. According to certain accounts, the name of this palm tree is “Fa”. Gbadu has sixteen eyes surrounding her head, which will later signify her abilities to see the future. However, these eyes remain closed to what is present before her, and if she wishes to open even one of her eyes, she must ask for Legba’s assistance.