Hello All! For a green themed #WyrdWednesday we have a folktale from the Alur people (DRC, Uganda) and some folklore from the Yoruba (Nigeria) and the Swahili-speaking people of the East African Coast.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Jokinam is the powerful Alur (DRC, Uganda) god of Lake Mwitanzige (also Lake Albert). It is said that he rules a beautiful green world at the bottom of the lake.
(Lake Mwitanzige 📸Wikipedia)
Jokinam is the powerful Alur (DRC, Uganda) god of Lake Mwitanzige (also Lake Albert). It is said that he rules a beautiful green world at the bottom of the lake.
(Lake Mwitanzige 📸Wikipedia)
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Jokinam is very generous and is willing to share the secrets of the lake with anyone who can keep them. Those who spill the secret die.
Jokinam is very generous and is willing to share the secrets of the lake with anyone who can keep them. Those who spill the secret die.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Anguza was a fisherman who fished the shores of Lake Mwitanzige. Like other people, he never ventured too far out on the lake as it was known that some people went and never came back.
Anguza was a fisherman who fished the shores of Lake Mwitanzige. Like other people, he never ventured too far out on the lake as it was known that some people went and never came back.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
One day, Anguza decided to row farther out than he normally did in hope of a better catch. He went so far out on the lake, its glittering surface was all he could see. He stopped at what seemed like a good spot and pulled up his oars to fish.
One day, Anguza decided to row farther out than he normally did in hope of a better catch. He went so far out on the lake, its glittering surface was all he could see. He stopped at what seemed like a good spot and pulled up his oars to fish.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
The water droplets from the oars turned to pearls when they hit the bottom of his boat. Amazed, he reached out, scooped up a handful of water and gasped when his hands came up full of pearls instead.
The water droplets from the oars turned to pearls when they hit the bottom of his boat. Amazed, he reached out, scooped up a handful of water and gasped when his hands came up full of pearls instead.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
He threw a line out into the lake and looked into the green depths of the water where the line descended. He saw lots of fish. Looking closer, he realized that the fish were actually goats.
He threw a line out into the lake and looked into the green depths of the water where the line descended. He saw lots of fish. Looking closer, he realized that the fish were actually goats.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Suddenly, a strong urge to go in the water came over him and he heard a voice encouraging him to do just that, so he took a deep breath and dove under the surface.
Suddenly, a strong urge to go in the water came over him and he heard a voice encouraging him to do just that, so he took a deep breath and dove under the surface.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
The goats surrounded him and swam with him to the bottom of the lake where he found an endless expanse of emerald, green grass, which the goats began to eat contentedly.
The goats surrounded him and swam with him to the bottom of the lake where he found an endless expanse of emerald, green grass, which the goats began to eat contentedly.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
He saw a man dressed a goat herder walking towards him. The man greeted him when he got closer.
“I am Jokinam, God of the Lake.”
Anguza was awed. He fell down in respect.
He saw a man dressed a goat herder walking towards him. The man greeted him when he got closer.
“I am Jokinam, God of the Lake.”
Anguza was awed. He fell down in respect.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
“Come, be my goatherd,” Jokinam said.
He gave Anguza a herd of goats and free reign of the land. Anguza lived for many bliss filled months in Jokinam’s emerald world, losing track of time and everything else.
“Come, be my goatherd,” Jokinam said.
He gave Anguza a herd of goats and free reign of the land. Anguza lived for many bliss filled months in Jokinam’s emerald world, losing track of time and everything else.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
He got lonely eventually and started thinking of the wife and children he had left behind. He begged Jokinam if he could return.
“Sure,” Jokinam said. “But you cannot tell anyone about this place. If you do, you will die.”
Anguza agreed.
He got lonely eventually and started thinking of the wife and children he had left behind. He begged Jokinam if he could return.
“Sure,” Jokinam said. “But you cannot tell anyone about this place. If you do, you will die.”
Anguza agreed.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Jokinam took Anguza to the surface where they found his boat and the pile of pearls. He bid his friend farewell and gave him a blessing. As Anguza rowed towards home, the pile of pearls grew.
Jokinam took Anguza to the surface where they found his boat and the pile of pearls. He bid his friend farewell and gave him a blessing. As Anguza rowed towards home, the pile of pearls grew.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Anguza hid the pearls when he reached the shore and then went home to his people who were happy to see him after such a long time. They thought he was dead.
Anguza hid the pearls when he reached the shore and then went home to his people who were happy to see him after such a long time. They thought he was dead.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Back among his people, Anguza stopped fishing, sold the pearls, bought herds of white cows and goats and became a rich man.
But his family noticed that he was not the same. He was much quieter.
Back among his people, Anguza stopped fishing, sold the pearls, bought herds of white cows and goats and became a rich man.
But his family noticed that he was not the same. He was much quieter.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
But then one day, Anguza was at a party, drinking with his former fisherman friends. As they shared stories about their experiences with Lake Mwitanzige, Anguza, drunk, told them about Jokinam and the green world in the lake.
But then one day, Anguza was at a party, drinking with his former fisherman friends. As they shared stories about their experiences with Lake Mwitanzige, Anguza, drunk, told them about Jokinam and the green world in the lake.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
As soon as he finished talking, he keeled over and fell to the ground, dead. A shaman was called to investigate the matter.
As soon as he finished talking, he keeled over and fell to the ground, dead. A shaman was called to investigate the matter.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
After the shaman went into a trance, Jokinam spoke through the shaman to all gathered, warning them to keep the secret of the lake.
Fin
After the shaman went into a trance, Jokinam spoke through the shaman to all gathered, warning them to keep the secret of the lake.
Fin
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
In other green-related folklore, Orunmilla and Osanyin-Osoin, Orishas of the Yoruba (Nigeria) are associated with the color. Osanyin-Osoin in particular, rules plants and herbal knowledge. It is said Ko si ewe ko si Orisha – no plants, no Orisha.
In other green-related folklore, Orunmilla and Osanyin-Osoin, Orishas of the Yoruba (Nigeria) are associated with the color. Osanyin-Osoin in particular, rules plants and herbal knowledge. It is said Ko si ewe ko si Orisha – no plants, no Orisha.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Among the Swahili-speaking people on the East African coast, Farasi Bahari are sea-horses highly prized for their beauty and endurance.
Among the Swahili-speaking people on the East African coast, Farasi Bahari are sea-horses highly prized for their beauty and endurance.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
It is said that there is an island off the Eastern African Coast where Farasi Bahari stallions come to graze on certain nights of the year.
It is said that there is an island off the Eastern African Coast where Farasi Bahari stallions come to graze on certain nights of the year.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
Horse-breeders take their mares in heat to this island in a boat and leave them there for the night, hoping they will be covered by the stallions, who will not emerge from the sea if they smell humans.
Horse-breeders take their mares in heat to this island in a boat and leave them there for the night, hoping they will be covered by the stallions, who will not emerge from the sea if they smell humans.
#WyrdWednesday #AfricanMythology
The horses resulting from these unions have the ability to run without ever getting tired, because they have no lungs.
The horses resulting from these unions have the ability to run without ever getting tired, because they have no lungs.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
