Agemo
Agemo Yoruba (Nigeria) A chameleon that was the servant of olorun, the head of the Yoruba pantheon of deities (known as the orisa). Agemo carried messages between Olorun and the other orisas. Agemo was instrumental in helping Olorun win a contest against Olokun, goddess of the sea. Olokun was skilled at weaving and dyeing cloth, and she believed that this skill made her superior to all the orisas, including Olorun. Olokun challenged Olorun to a contest to determine which of them was more adroa knowledgeable about making cloth. Olorun sent Agemo to Olokun with the message that if her cloth were as magnificent as she claimed, he would enter the contest. He asked Olokun to show the best examples of her weaving to Agemo, who could report back to Olorun on their quality. One by one, Olokun brought out pieces of cloth dyed in brilliant colors. As she showed each cloth to Agemo, his skin turned the exact color of the cloth. Finally, Olokun brought out a cloth that had a pattern in several different colors. When Agemo’s skin reproduced the colors and pattern perfectly, Olokun felt defeated. She thought that if a mere messenger could duplicate what she had created, Olorun’s abilities must be even greater. Olokun instructed Agemo to return to Olorun with the message that she acknowledged his greatness.
Taken from African Mythology A to Z – Library Binding – May 1, 2010- Second Edition – Written by Patricia Ann Lynch (Author), Jeremy Roberts Dr (Editor) – Copyright © 2004, 2010 by Patricia Ann Lynch
