Goddess Yemoja/Mami Wata(Water)- The Original Mermaid
Once upon a time there lived an African Mermaid goddess named Yemoja who dwelled in the Ogun River.
Yemoja was a very beautiful goddess with hair that was as black as midnight and skin brown like sweet molasses.
Around her neck she wore a beautiful necklace strung with river stones.
Yemoja had come to live in the River after her husband, Ogun, went on a journey, never to return.

In despair, she climbed to the top of the tallest mountain and reached her arms up to the heavens above; seeking comfort from Olodumare.
Consumed by her own tears, she rolled down the mountain just as morning dew rolls off of a blade of grass, filling the empty river bed below...

Yemoja had many children and she gave them all such beautiful names, some of which were, Orisa, Man, Woman and Child.... Yemoja loved all of her children very dearly. However, there was one other thing that Yemoja loved just as much and that was the sweet taste of molasses. One of her favorite foods! The Children who lived near the Ogun River would bring Yemoja molasses everyday, pouring it into the river as they sang her song of praise:

Yemoja Maye'le'wo, Maye'le'wo,Yemoja
Yemoja Maye'le'wo, Maye’le’wo, Yemoja

This pleased Yemoja, and as a token of her appreciation, she would leave gifts of colorful river stones for all of the children at the base of old Baobab trees that stood along the rivers edge.

Àbórú Àbóyé Àbósísé.

During the festival of "The Mother of Fishes" everyone from the surrounding villages would come to the Ogun River where they placed special offerings of fruit, molasses and white yams.
Everyone would then gather to recite a special prayer, in honor of the "Mother of Fishes:

It is the bird that takes good fortune to the Spirit of the "Mother of Fishes"
The Orisa of the Ogun River.
It is the bird Aluko that takes good fortune to the Spirit of the Lagoon
The assistant to the Orisa of the Ogun River.
It is the parrot that takes good fortune to the chief of Iwo.
It is children who bring good fortune from heaven to Earth.
The Great One who gives good things,
the Great One who gives good things
The Great One who gives good things.
Give me good things.
Ase.

Àbóyé Àbósísé.