PRESERVATION OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS

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Myths and folklore have been in existence from time immemorial in my country Nigeria, the nation is culturally diverse and we have different ethnic groups and tribal communities that exist within themselves. These ethnic groups and tribal communities have their various myth and legends embedded in them, these reflect the traditional histories, values and cultures of the people.

These groups try as much as possible to preserve their culture so as not to face extinction because it has become a popular thing for cultures and traditions to disappear due to lack of preservation and practice. There are different myth and folklores that have existed over time across different tribes such as Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Edo, Tiv and so on and so forth. Examples of this myth and folklaws includes moremi ajasoro olodumare the myth of creation in Yoruba land, Eze nri, queen Idia, Ekpo, the legend of Etim Okon (calabar), myth of olokun, snakes and so on.

For the fact that I lived in Edo state for some few years and I attended part of my Secondary Education here, I happen to know a history of the myth and legendary act of Queen idia who was the first queen mother in Benin Kingdom back then. Queen idia was known to be a powerful woman who was wise and had supernatural abilities that helped her to perform her duties as a queen and to protect her Kingdom.

She used the supernatural abilities to prosper her Kingdom and ensure that the people were well taken care of and enemies were far away. She became a legend because of her leadership and strength as a woman who led her community to prosperity. It is quite a tale because women were known as lesser figure but she proved otherwise.

Another mythical story of creation that existed and is still in circulation is the myth of creation in Yoruba land. The supreme deity of Yoruba land was known as Olodumare, he had the power as a god to create the Earth and everything in it. The myth emphasized that Yoruba cosmology is one that is ordered and is divinely ruled.

In essence, myth and folklores have become an existence that promotes our cultural identity as human beings in a community. However, due to globalization and technology our history is becoming past and this is so because the children of nowadays and not properly taught the history of their fatherland and hometown.

This is a part of my entry for the #aprilinleo prompt as organized by the @leogrowth team with great initiative that members of Hive you can participate in this prompt and tackle them as you deem fit. In collaboration with the @humanitas community.

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