The brave warrior
Moremi, a woman and more
In the ancient town of Ile-Ife, where the dawn emerged from, the king was regarded as the second god to the people. This was a time before the discovery by colonial masters.
Neighboring wars were common, and soldiers fought with swords and fists. The warriors of Ile-Ife had never lost a fight, until the warriors from the land of Dark challenged them. The Dark warriors defeated the great warriors of Ile-Ife, plunging the ancient town into chaos. The undefeated warriors of the Dark made them helpless. Despite their valiant efforts, the warriors of Ile-Ife couldn’t conquer the Dark warriors.
On every market day, these Dark warriors would disturb the peace of the town, looting many spoils. The town, unable to raise their heads, grumbled and thought these warriors were not human. They looked like masquerades and were believed to be invincible.
Worries wrinkled the king’s face as he aged rapidly. Unable to bear it any longer, he summoned the warriors of Ile-Ife and declared that anyone who could defeat these people would be rewarded. The queen of the land, Moremi, decided to help fight the Dark. With the king’s permission, she joined the market women on market day. Market day was every seventh day of the week. As usual, the Dark warriors came and captured the queen along with others.
Moremi, due to her beauty, was given to the king of the strange land and became his favorite. She discovered their secret: they were just humans who used dry grass and dry palm branches to disguise themselves.
Did she succeed? Yes. She sneaked out one day and told her people the secret she discovered. They planned to get the Dark warriors drunk, which would weaken them. Then, the warriors of Ile-Ife, lying in ambush, would invade and destroy them. Moremi got the Dark warriors and their king drunk and threw fire in their midst as a signal for her people. The warriors emerged and destroyed the land.
The courageous warrior Moremi became the glory of the land. The people of Ile-Ife always remember and celebrate her every year. Her statue stands in the town today.
Dolly ❤️
