Editing Pythonidae (section)

== Folklore ==
{{See|Pythons' eyes in Meitei culture}}

In northwestern [[Ghana]], people see pythons as a savior and have taboos to prevent the snake from being harmed or eaten. Their folklore states that this is because a python once helped them flee from their enemies by transforming into a log to allow them to cross a river.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Diawuo F, Issifu AK | title = Exploring the African traditional belief systems in natural resource conservation and management in Ghana. | journal = The Journal of Pan African Studies | date = December 2015 | volume = 8 | issue = 9 | pages = 115–31 | url = http://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol8no9/8.9-10-FDiawuo.pdf }}</ref>

In [[Botswana]], [[San people|San]] ritual practices surrounding pythons date back 70,000 years. In San mythology the python is a sacred creature that is highly respected.<ref>{{cite web | first = Yngve | last = Vogt | name-list-style = vanc | title = World's oldest ritual discovered. Worshipped the python 70,000 years ago |url= https://www.apollon.uio.no/english/articles/2006/python-english.html | work = Apollon  | publisher = University of Oslo |access-date=2019-03-14 }}</ref> They believe that mankind was made by a python that moved in between hills to create stream beds.

In [[Benin]], Vodun practitioners believe that pythons symbolize strength and the spirit of Dagbe ["to do good" in [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]].&nbsp;Annually, people sacrifice animals and proclaim their sins to pythons that are kept inside temples.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41048840|title=Has voodoo been misjudged?|last=Fihlani|first=Pumza|date=2017-09-01|access-date=2019-05-19|language=en-GB}}</ref>