DAHOMIAN MYTHOLOGY

According to the people of Dahomey, Mawu is the creation goddess. She is often associated with the sun and moon. In some accounts, the name Mawu-Lisa is used. Lisa being the male, it is said that they both siblings and couples, and they created the known world together

After creating the earth and all life and everything else on it, she became concerned that it might be too heavy, so she asked the primeval serpent, Aido Hwedo, to curl up beneath the earth and thrust it up in the sky

Other gods includes

Age - patron god of hunters

Avrikiti- patron god of fishermen

Ayaba & Loco- sister goddesses

Gleti- moon goddess

Gu- god of war, craftsmen and blacksmiths

Okanu- god of dreams

Sakpata- god of smallpox

Zinsu and Zinsi- demigods and twin magicians

Nana- goddess of fertility

Egberun- god of prosperity, clairvoyance and protection

Fa- god of wisdom

Legba- gatekeeper of the spirit realm

Xevioso- son of Mawu and god of thunder

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THE STORY OF OLAJUMOKE

Once upon a time in the village of Aiyegberu, there lived a maiden called Olajumoke. She was the most beautiful woman in all the lands As news of her great beauty spread, suitors came lining asking for her hand in marriage but she refused them all. None of them was handsome enough to match her beauty she proclaimed

THE CUNNING TORTOISE & THE ELEPHANT

Once upon a time, a great king ruled the kingdom of Gbogan, after winning several great victories for his people he became ill due to accumulated injuries. All the medicine men in the kingdom and neighbouring kingdoms tried to treat him but to no avail. Finally it was concluded that Ikumejakako, the most dreaded amongst herbalist should be consulted, so the king sent his chief to the evil forest to fetch the man who was once banished for his daring methods

TORTOISE AND THE PRINCESS WHO WOULD NOT SPEAK

Once there was a king who had a very beautiful daughter, her name was Bola Bola was enchanting to look at but she had one fault. She had never spoken a word in her life. The king summoned the best medicine men in the land and they brewed various talking potions but none of them worked As the daughter would still not speak, the king became desperate.. so he made an announcement KING: Any one who can make my daughter talk, i shall give her hand in marriage to that person and i will offer half my land The tortoise heard the reward and set out to get it He bought a bottle of honey and placed it by a bush near where Bola lived while he hid himself. When Bola came by and saw the bottle of honey, she put her hand in it and tasted the sweet liquid. Immediately Tortoise jumped out of his hiding place and grabbed Bola by the hand Thief!? he cried. ?So it is you who steal my honey and eat it.? Tortoise then tied Bola with a rope and started to lead her back to the palace singing,

African Heroes, Legends and Myths

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