A Nigerian lady, Ama, has captured the attention of many on social media by sharing the story behind the viral ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ challenge that has been trending online.
The story, shared by Ama on TikTok revolves around a traditional Igbo folktale involving a tortoise and an elephant.
According to Ama, the narrative begins with a king’s daughter who, desiring to find a suitable suitor in the animal kingdom, requested that any potential suitor must bring her an elephant.
This task seemed impossible, but tortoise decided to take on the challenge. The tortoise, a friend of the elephant, tricked him into going to the palace by falsely claiming they had been invited to the prestigious Ofala festival in Igbo land.
During their journey, the tortoise asked the elephant to carry him on his back, which the elephant accepted.
The tortoise then sought permission to tie a rope around the elephant’s neck. a request that seemed innocent and didn’t raise any concerns for the elephant.
However, upon reaching the palace, the tortoise declared he had captured the elephant, handing him over to the king with the rope still around his neck.
In Igbo culture, as Ama explained, placing a rope around an animal’s neck symbolizes ownership. The tortoise’s cunning move effectively meant he had “captured” the elephant.
This story, popularized in the song “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” by the veteran Nigerian musician Mike Ejeagha, serves as a cautionary tale.
Mike Ejeagha’s song advises listeners to be wary of the company they keep and the intentions of those around them.
Netizens Reactions…
Slim fave said: “Tortoise is a very wise animal.”
Azamanexpensive79 wrote: “This short story is very long oo.”
Say_hey_to_shuga said: “So una don give this song story now now.”
Officer Divine said: “Nice one…how do we make this trend.”
O_a_f said: “Welcome to akuko mike ejeagha, when ever i start an interesting story with me mum…. that’s what she will say.”
Leilejlm4rf said: “Thank you sister, i have been looking for the meaning of this song. now I can get it you.”
User318812081297daniel said: “Sister you tried good one at list people will know what the song is all about.”
Olademeji said: “This story is the most talked about story in my town Enugu even before now.”
Annabel0157 said: “Moral lesson learnt. Thank you.”
EssienSam said: “Wow, I listened to the whole thing. Now it makes a lot of sense thank you.”
Mimi said: “My dad has told me this story.”
Clementgeorge_akin said: “In yoruba stories, Tortoise is well reputed for his “cunningness” . We have that same story of him and the elephant.”
See below;
@amastories The short story that led to the gwogwogwongwo challenge on tiktok#gogwogwo trendingchallengeontiktok#brainjotterwithhis realgirlfriend #saygwogworeal page#ngwongwogwocelebritieschallenge #ngwongwogwo bybrainjotter#brainjottervisit mikeejegha#brainjotter#brainjottercomedy#brainjotterchallenge#viral#comedyvideo#mikeejeagha#trendingGwogwogwotrendingchallengeontiktok