Moremi Ajasoro is an Ife state heroine, a 12th century Yoruba queen, and one of the first founding mothers of the Yoruba tribe, who risked herself and sacrificed her son for the Yoruba people’s freedom.
Moremi was a Yoruba queen when her people were enslaved and at war with their neighbor tribe, the (Ibo/ Ugbò) Forest people, who were very powerful. Seeking to help her people, Moremi reached out to the Spirit of the river Esimirin asking for help to learn the power of the Forest people in return for a sacrifice she will make.
She deliberately went to the front line of the war to get captured. Once she did, she used her talent and beauty to attract the king of the Forest people who made her his queen. Earning the king’s trust and his people, she discovered their war tactics, escaped to Ile-Ife, and revealed to the Yoruba army the intelligence she collected. With that information, the Yoruba army was able to defeat the Forest people. Fulfilling her promise, she returned to the river Esimirin to learn the Spirit demanded her to scarify her son.
Every year, Ile-Ife people celebrate Moremi’s dedication, courage, and sacrifice in the Edi/Moremi Festival.
Her statue was dedicated by Oba Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ile Ife (the kingdom ruler), on 22nd November 2016. It is 42 feet tall, the tallest statue in Nigeria, and the 4th tallest in Africa.
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