User:Tales of the children of a 1000 hills/Origins of the Waraabin Empire

'''The Waraabin people believe and pray to Aayo meaning “mother” or “the mother”, A goddess that created and reigns over all that is found on earth. The Waraabin believe that in the beginning of the world, Aayo created men and women from the fiery sands of the desert.'''

She put the sun and moon in the sky to be their light, fish in the sea and plants in the ground to feed them, animals in the forest to cloth them. Her children were happy, she thought. But some were not satisfied, they abandoned her and went in search of another life. Grieved, Aayo went in search of them but could not find them, she disappeared to never be seen again. The men and women who had not left went in search of her, when they failed to find her, they moved close to the sea, where they built villages near the coast and became fishermen.

One day, some fishing boats went to take refuge on the island while taking refuge from a coming storm, one of the fishermen, a young boy started exploring it, he discovered this pond, its water was clear and still, when he bent over to have a closer look, he could not see his reflection, all he saw was an image of a gigantic mountain shining in a yellowish glorious splendor, excited, the boy ran and called the others, once the group had gathered around the pond, more images were seen, they saw visions of untold wealth flowing from the footsteps of the mountain.

When the group came back to their home villages, they shared the visions, but people mocked them, calling them liars and crazy. However, this did not discourage the group that had seen the vision, came morning, they set out to find the mountain, it was not long before they found it. The rivers flowing around it were all carrying precious stones, gems and gold. They dug and carried what they could and returned to their home village. The villagers stupefied, were all convinced that it was the goddess, Aayo, who had bestowed upon them the gift of the mountain. From then on the village, with its newfound wealth grew into towns and then into cities and finally into an empire.



Since that day, they learnt the art of trading, iron working and war. And use iron and gold to build an empire, in conquering, they always give a choice to the mother’s lost children, gold or iron. Those who choose gold are welcomed back in the family of Aayo, the mother, and for those who choose iron, they are forced into slavery to work for the mother’s true children.

And as for the fountain of truth, the island has been made a sacred place, heavily guarded and cherished, only the ruling council members and the holy men are allowed on it. But since the day of the first vision, there has not been another revelation, holy men (slaves who are picked as babies and sent to live on the island) spend all their days and nights fasting and praying to the mother to offer another vision, to no avail.

The symbol of Aayo is put on all metal, silver, gold, wood and cloth that is made in the Empire.