African Mythology: The Love Story of Maadi and Siya

What up African family and welcome back to another video of African History, Culture and Worldview and also welcome back to my series African Myth and Legend 101 where I tell various stories from African myth and legend. Today we're going to tell the legend of Mahdi and Siyah and how their love tragically ended an empire, but in a beautiful way. And as always don't forget to support the home team on Patreon.com and go to Afrographics.com a website where you can get helpful illustrative infographics on African history. Links to Patreon and Afrographics are in the description box below. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. The Empire of Ouagadou, the first empire in all of West African history. All empires throughout the world rise and fall, but the fall of Ouagadou is a story fashioned in love. Bida, the great snake, sustainer of Ouagadou. The great snake god descended from Dengasise, the founder of Ouagadou. The great god, Bida, ruled with absolute authority. No king of Ouagadou could survive without him. The power of Bida allotted Ouagadou with all the advantages an empire needs and riches as far as the eyes can see. It is through Bida that the Soninka conquered the region stretching from the interior of Africa all the way to the deep blue sea. On one condition did the great Bida allow Ouagadou its strength. From the beginning, Bida proclaimed that the most beautiful girl in all the land be sacrificed to him as an offering. Though horrified by this initial decree, the Soninka elite enjoyed the privilege and the power of their state. Thus, they obliged. For in their minds, there was no other way. The time had now come for the annual sacrifice. Darkness had crept into Ouagadou once again. A decision was made under the cloak of night. The council chose Sia, the most beautiful in all of Ouagadou. Enraged by this decision, her fiancée Mari protested with all his might, day and night. But no peace would be given him. It must be done. Sia took the decision well and was ready to die for the greater good and survival of the empire. As the guards prepared to escort her through the Sahel, Mari came ready to fight. Please stop, my love. Sia begged him to stop and accept her fate. I must do this so that you may live. Deep within his troubled soul, Mari knew he could not accept this. He would not allow such a beast to devour his beloved Sia. I beseech you, my love. Come with me so that we may run away together. Sia refused and journeyed along the sacrificial route toward Bida. She must save Ouagadou. Her bravery would not be undone as she stood under the night sky waiting for the eyes of Bida to rest upon her. Mari gathers his might and tells the blacksmith to make him his greatest sword. With sword in hand and his favorite horse, Mari rides with purpose ready to die to save his beloved. Upon sight of each other, they break down in tears. Sia says, If you kill Bida, Ouagadou will be destroyed forever. And Mari says, I know I'm just a man traversing through Bida's land, but I feel bigger than the world with your hand in mine. The great snake had seven heads, and one by one, Mari cut with his sword. Upon the rise of its last head, the one in silver, the night became clear as day. Bida said, I swear by the lord of seven head, during seven years and seven bad years, and during seven months and seven bad months, during seven days and seven bad days, your empire of Ouagadou will not receive any reign nor any piece of gold. And with his final words, Mari cut the last head of Bida, and Ouagadou was doomed forever. Mari saved his precious fiancee Sia, and they lived knowing that the passion of their love was the only empire they needed. If you like these videos and want to see more, you can support the home team on patreon.com. The link is in the description box below. Know thyself. Remember your ancestors. Peace.