Moremi was a beautiful Yoruba Princess who lived in the 12th century. Her story is that of love, courage and sacrifice. She was born in odds town and got married to the king of ile Ife. The word ” beautiful” used to describe this woman is not just to flatter her; she was indeed beautiful and had heads turning while she was alive; her beauty is that which cannot be overlooked. This beauty we are talking about here got her famous in her days.
Moremi was the daughter of Ife’s greatest hunter and she was raised by her parents to always stand up for the needs of the oppressed and help those in needs. This one thing stayed with her till she grew up.
Moremi got married to the son of oduduwa whose name was Oranmiyan. For many years she was unable to conceive. She eventually conceived during the time ile Ife was passing through the toughest moments of their lives. They were being terrorized by a group of people known as igbo people( they are not in any way related to the comtemporary igbo tribe we have now in Nigeria now) ;this group would invade their town every five working days. Moremi eventually gave birth to her son amidst this trouble and vowed to find a solution to the problems of her people.
She consulted Esimirin ( town’s herbalist) to help her beckon to the river goddess for the strategy to stop these people. This group came to the town the next market day and Moremi positioned herself to be kidnapped.
These group of terrorists noticed Moremi’s beauty and recommended her to the king who in turn married her. Moremi used her time with these people to study them till she got to know that their so called terrifying costumes is made from dry leaves; she immediately got the idea of burning them with fire. Moremi found a way to escape and told the king this secrets
The soldiers of ile Ife were ready the next market day and they were able to chase these group away. That was the last time they saw them.
The goddess that helped Moremi requested of her to sacrifice her only son which she did with tears and heavy heart.
From that point onward the people of Ile Ife vowed to be to her the children she never had. Moremi died without having another child of her own
She sacrificed herself to deliver her people and her story is still told till today. Edi festival is celebrated till today in honour of Moremi.
The mother of female hall in OAU is Moremi Hall.
Have you heard about this woman before?
What did you learn from her story?
Afrineye 