The Dragon Stone

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Location:
West Africa

Description:
The story of Bida shows the classic signs of an old and popular myth. It is told in various West African cultures, yet each retelling is slightly different. The names are similar, such as the lovers and the city. Each story has the same girl offered and the same rescuer. There is a difference in the details though, such as why the girl is offered. This entry tells the version immortalised in the great Epic of the Dausi (a poem). There are other entries on versions of the story specific to certain regions. If you are interested in the story, make sure to check out the 'Related Dragon' links for the other versions.

The poem tells the story of a dying king, Dinga. He sends for his oldest son to tell him the secret of kingship. The eldest son wouldn't come. In fact the only son who did come was the youngest son, called Lagarre. His father told him to find nine jars of water, that whomever washes in them becomes king. Then to find the drum Tabele, take it into the northern desert, and strike it.

When Lagarre did this a city rose out of the sand, encircled by the dragon Bida. This was the city of Wagadoo. Lagarre made a deal with Bida to gain entrance to the city. Every year a girl would be sacrificed to the dragon, and in return the dragon would spew gold over the city.

For three generations this continued, until one year the dragon was killed by the lover of the girl to be sacrificed, Mamadi Sefe Dekote. When Bida came out of its lake, Mamadi cut of it's head. Bida's head was knocked to the Gold Coast, which is why gold is plentiful there.

Related Dragons:

• Ouagadou-Bida
• Bida (Soninke)

Selected References: Knappert, Jan (1991)

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