The Yoruba history is incomplete without mentioning the brave queen of Oranmiyan, Mọremí Àjàṣorò. She is a prominent woman who is said to have given the Yoruba people a reason to live through her selfless actions towards the Yoruba people’s liberty from the hands of their enemies.

The Ayaba Moremi, who was born in Offa and lived in the 12th century, was wedded to Oranmiyan, the son of Oduduwa, known as the founder of the Yoruba people and ruler of Ife. According to history, the kingdom of Ile-Ife was at war with a neighbouring tribe known to them as the Forest people, called the “Ugbo Kingdom.”

Moremi was a strong, brave, and beautiful woman who, in order to solve the issue that her people were experiencing, made a significant sacrifice to the Spirit of the River Esimirin in order to learn more about the power over her country’s adversaries. She was also renowned as an Ile-Ife native who was both brave and selfless.

History

According to legend, there once was peace and freedom taken from the people of Ile-Ife by forest raiders. The Ugbo was the name given to these robbers (not the Igbo ethnic group). The inhabitants of Ile-Ife believed that the raiders were demons sent by the gods to avenge them. This was due to the intimidating appearance of the raiders, who were always draped with raffia palms while conducting raids. 

The raid lasted so long that the residents of Ile-Ife considered giving up after making numerous unsuccessful offerings to satisfy their gods. As a patriot at heart, Queen Moremi was unable to stand by while her people suffered and her husband, King Oranmiyan of Ile-Ife, was troubled. She consulted an oracle, who advised her to go see the deity of the Esimirin River.

While promising to assist Moremi, the goddess did so at the sacrifice of her most prized item. Being a wealthy queen, Moremi readily accepted, assuming there would be no issue.

What was Moremi’s impact?

The goddess gave her instructions to purposefully allow the Ugbo raiders to abduct her and hold her hostage during the subsequent raid. When the intimidating Ugbo raiders returned the following time, Moremi did as she was instructed and allowed them to capture her.

The Ugbo King fell head over heels in love with her right away because of her beauty. She joined the colony of the Igbo people. After spending some time with the forest raiders, Moremi learned that they weren’t supernatural beings sent by the gods, but rather regular people with masks and raffia palms. She learned of this secret, made her way to Ile-Ife, and told the King and his subjects about it.

The residents of Ile-Ife expressed their gratitude to Moremi for her bravery and sense of duty. When the next group of attackers struck, the monarch ordered his army and the populace to be prepared with torches in flames. The moment the forest people tried to assault them, they were repulsed by using the burning torches that ignited and engulfed them in flames, defeating them and causing them to never come again. The Ugbo people were vanquished and taken prisoner.

Moremi’s Sacrifice to Esimirin 

She returned to her first husband, King Oramiyan of Ife (and later Oyo), after the war, and he promptly had her restored to her position as queen. To keep her promise, Moremi went back to the Esimirin River.

To honour the goddess and carry out her promise, Moremi Ajasoro went back to the Esimirin River. When she arrived, she brought several creatures to sacrifice to the deity. But the goddess insisted on having her one and only son, Olurogbo. She begged the river goddess, offering her one and only son as the ultimate sacrifice. She was forced to provide the goddess with her lone son.

The sad news immediately circulated throughout the community, and everyone in Ile Ife pledged to always be her children and to mourn with her. This is a commitment they have kept till now. Because of this, the inhabitants of Ile Ife are still referred to as “Queen Moremi Ajasoro’s children.”

However, it was inferred from a different account of events that Olurogbo did not pass away but was instead brought back to life by Olodumare out of compassion for Moremi. Olurogbo was claimed to have dwelt with the Yoruba gods ever since he was said to have risen and ascended to heaven after the people had left.

Moremi Statue in Ile-Ife

In order to express their gratitude to Moremi after her death in Ile-Ife, the Yoruba people built a statue to immortalize her. Thus, the Moremi Statue of Liberty honours her bravery in saving her people from the Ugbo (forest people) by sacrificing her only son for their freedom.

Also, the Edi festival was started as a tribute to Moremi. The Edi Festival, which commemorates Ife’s independence, was originally held to honour the crucial role played by the legendary Queen Moremi and the supreme sacrifice she made for the Yoruba people.

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