So the #WomensEpics series is officially done. You can find and read all 26 posts here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/p/womens-epics-to-z.html

I also made some promo posts. Because I think these epics should also be highlighted, and included in a wider literary canon. Because they have fascinating, complex, amazing women protagonists, and they have a whole lot to teach us.

#women #WomensHistory #epics #mythology #folklore #literature #books

Today on #WomensEpics: The Yi (Sani) epic of Ashima

This story is about Ahsima, a beautiful girl who is kidnapped by an evil man to force her into marriage with his son. Her brother sets out to rescue her, and while she valiantly resists the marriage he finds a way to save her.
On their way home, however, Ashima is swept up in a river. Instead of dying, she turns into the spirit of the echo in the river gorge.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/y-is-for-yi-sani-epic-of-ashima-womens.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: Shirin Mama

A Xibe (Sibe) epic about a warrior maiden who goes on a quest to defeat three robber kings who have been holding people in slavery. She doesn't only liberate hundreds of women and children, but she also accompanies them home, making sure they all find families. In the end, she becomes a goddess.

I shouldn't be playing favorites, but this one was definitely my favorite of the series.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/x-is-for-xibo-epic-of-shirin-mama.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: The Water Goddess

The third Ainu epic in the series. The Water Goddess receives a plea from humans who suffer from a famine. Alongside her friend The Goddess of River Rapids she organizes a feast for other gods, and discovers that humans had treated animals cruelly and the Gods of Fish and Game caused the famine. The two goddesses trick the gods to end the famine, and then warn humans about how to treat nature properly.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/w-is-for-water-goddess-womens-epics-to-z.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: The voyage of Hiiaka

This was one of the most amazing reads in the series. Hiiaka, little sister of the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele, sets out on an epic journey to bring Pele the man she'd dreamed about. Along the way, accompanied by other women, she battles monsters, dragons, sharks and bandits to clear the islands of danger.
She also battles her own loyalties: she falls in love with the man on the way home.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/v-is-for-voyage-of-hiiaka-womens-epics.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: Nisan shamaness

A Manchu epic about a young, eccentric and talented shamaness who travels into the Underworld to bring back the soul of a 15 year old boy. She goes through many adventures: she encounters the ferryman of the dead, witnesses the punishment of sinners, meets the goddess who creates babies, and meets her own dead husband. He demands she revives him too, but she flat out refuses because had not been good to her.

Read:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/u-is-for-underworld-voyage-of-nisan.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: The Tale of Sumiyoshi

This one is a Japanese monogatari, a long-form epic story from the 10th century, about a girl who is persecuted by a jealous stepmother. She goes into exile with her best friend, and lives under the protection of a friendly nun, until her intended husband finds her. It is a story somewhat similar to Cinderella, but here both stepsisters side with the heroine and denounce their mother.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/t-is-for-tale-of-sumiyoshi-womens-epics.html

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Today on #WomensEpics: Silappadikaram

Another famous Tamil epic, the prequel to Manimekalai. It features a faithful and steadfast woman named Kannaki. Her husband abandones her for a dancer, but eventually repents and returns, and they go on a journey together. When her husband dies an unfair death (accused of theft), Kannaki calls on the gods and avenges him, then becomes a goddess herself. She is aided along the way by many other women.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/s-is-for-silappadikaram-womens-epics-to.html

#AtoZChallenge

Today on #WomensEpics: Repunnot-un-kur

(Note: the epic is named after the villain, the heroine's name is Shinutapka-un-mat)

A girl is kidnapped and raised by an evil man who wants to marry her. He also raises a bear cub who will, according to tradition, turn into a god one day. The bear befriends the girl and decides to save her. They escape together and go through many adventures; in the end, he turns into a god, and returns to marry her.

Read here:
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2025/04/r-is-for-repunnot-un-kur-womens-epics.html

#AtoZChallenge