Cover image was created using canva
Local myths are a dominant part of the cultural existence of a community or a society. There is no culture or tradition that exists void of Supernatural elements or timeless actions that has happened in the past, the existence of people whose passed lives were built in a way that it shaped our present cultural systems.
For instance, in Yorubaland there was a time when communities fought in various War just to prove superiority over one and other. Although there are different reasons why community clashes existed, some clashes existed as a means of bravery and confidence against invaders who wanted to take over the land and properties of the people. Some myth describe how Warriors and leaders have proven that bravery and sacrifice are a means to an end and somehow in our contemporary world we are enjoying such privileges.
One great myth that has become a history in the Yoruba land is the legend of Moremi Ajasoro, till today the story of Moremi's braveness in the kingdom of Ile-ife where she was the Queen is one that is celebrated and studied as history all over Nigeria and the world at large, this is so because there are some countries where the Yoruba culture is practiced vehemently to the extent that its history, traditions and cultures are incorporated into their systems some of these countries include Brazil etc.
The story of Moremi Ajasoro is one that is laced with major themes like bravery, courage, sacrifice and patriotism. In the aspect of bravery and sacrifice, she was faced with the choice of sacrificing her son as a means to an end when the invaders came to disrupt the activities of a community.
She was an elegant Queen who loved her people and was ready to do anything to protect them. In other to achieve this, she plotted a way to uncover and unravel the secret behind the evil spirits who came to loot their properties and also wreck havoc on their communities. By means of doing this, she disguised herself as a peasant and allowed them to capture her but in doing this withhad to summon the goddess of a river for protection and success on her journey and in return she sacrificed her son.
In the end, Moremi was able to unravel the secret on how to put an end to these Invaders by burning their rafias and she succeeded. Moremi's story is one that inspires courage and confidence in the face of adversity and defeat, she stood strong and made sure that the humanity of the people was not defaulted as a queen. This age long myth is one that would be discussed from Generation to generation because that is what upholds the story of the great Ile-Ife Kingdom that exists today.
In conclusion, this myth is peculiar to the Yoruba land but somehow it is one that is discussed all over the country and the world at large because as a woman back in the days, it is believed that our roles were Limited and excluded to just wife material duties but the intelligent Queen choose to be outstanding and confidence by protecting her people and defending our community. She serves as a symbol of courage to people especially the young women in our contemporary world.
This is a part of my entry for the #februaryinleo prompt as organized by the @leogrowth team with great initiative that members of Hive you can participate in this prompt and tackle them as you deem fit.
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