#agemo

Messenger of the supreme god Olorun. The chameleon is a symbol of resilience, change, adaptability, and wisdom. In a retold tale, Olorun was at odds with Olokun who claimed that she was superior to all other orisha. Olokun was a skilled weaver who made beautiful tapestries, so Olorun sent Agemo to witness this. If Agemo was to be impressed Olokun would be declared supreme, however with each tapestry she wove Agemo replicated perfectly with his color changing skin, causing Olokun to admit defeat. To the Ijebu subgroup Agemo is a most high deity worshiped frequently with the Agemo Festival. From different villages come recognized "agemos" who represent the deity and are considered priests, traveling in procession to Imosan and Ijebu-Ode where they are worshiped by passerby, though women are not permitted to see the agemos. The Agemo spirit is said to protect crops, fertility, restore barren women's ability to give birth, and protect against disease. In another telling Agemo was said to be the child of Obatala, the king of orishas, who became deformed due to a conflict with his father but, courageously, continued his work covered by a raffia mat which today the Agemo festival still uses. These two Agemos may or may not be the same, but in most sources they seem to be equated in some way.

Pantheon: Yoruba

Domain or Function: Messenger of the high god Olorun. Protects crops, fertility, and wards off disease.

Alternate Names: Alagemo

Character Traits: Usually depicted as the faithful messenger of Olorun, but in other stories related to the Agemo festival he is a courageous being.

Visual Traits: As the chameleon he doesn't appear much but the chameleon symbolism is strong in many festivals, rituals, and art. The agemos of the festival are usually covered in colorful raffia mats.

Symbolism: Chameleons, raffia, colors.