Moremi

Hail to you, Morèmi, oh Great Mother, our sacrificial redeemer. Once upon a time, the Ìgbò people (no relation to the modern Igbo) attacked Ilé-Ifè. Terrified to see not men, but alien beings from beyond the veil assaulting them, Ifè’s defenders broke in confusion. Many Yorùbá were captured and enslaved. A woman named Morèmi promised the Esinmirin River a great sacrifice if she could end Ìgbò’s tyranny, then allowed the Ìgbò to capture her. Tall and statuesque, she caught the Ìgbò king’s fancy. She lived as his wife for five years until, in a moment of weakness, he revealed to her that the Ìgbò spirits were no spirits at all, but mortals in raffia costumes. Morèmi escaped to Ilé-Ifè, revealed the secret, and suggested Ifè’s infantry carry torches into battle to burn away the raffia. At the next raid, Ifè routed the terrified Ìgbò, who never returned. But the river Esinmirin demanded the life of Morèmi’s son Olúorogbo in return. When she killed him, a golden chain descended from Heaven. Olúorogbo sprang to his feet and scaled the chain into the sky.

Morèmi always has an Incarnation — in fact, a reincarnation — in Ilé-Ifè. The reincarnation, called Chief Èrí, presides over the yearly Edì Festival of purity, which reenacts Morèmi’s adventure and sacrifice through feasting, wrestling, and pranks. But the Èrí remains solemn and mournful throughout the festivities, for it is hers to remember Morèmi’s grief and loss. On the rare occasions Morèmi Incarnates herself as someone else, she picks unassuming woman in a servile or subordinate position such as an office worker, cleaning lady, or army grunt — the better to spy on the wicked and powerful.

Olúorogbo’s sacrifice gave Morèmi an anxious intensity towards her Scions. She chooses them carefully and takes an active role in their lives. Yemoja nags her about being a helicopter parent, but Morèmi’s unlikely to listen.