This story about Aganju and Yemaja shows how Yoruba mythology depicts creation as something born out of both unnatural circumstances and transformation. The story makes it clear that Yemaja’s historical significance to the Yoruba people comes from her suffering and struggles. When she resists Orungan, “she fled from the place” and her aggressor who was also her son, and it is precisely this act of oppression and violence that becomes the source of divine creation. The moment her body breaks open, the story describes how “her body immediately began to swell in a fearful manner,” a phrase that depicts her transformation not as peaceful or beautiful, but as painful and violent. This specific description supports the idea that Yoruba mythology acknowledges the reality that creation and life can emerge from hardship and rupture. Her suffering is not erased, but instead, it becomes sacred and allowed for further gods and goddesses to exist. This is an example of Yoruba representation of women and creation as well. Women go through suffering and pain to bring life into the world, just like Yamaja. The details of how the lagoons started flowing from her breasts also promote the idea of female reproduction.

The passage also reveals how the Yoruba view water as significant in their culture. Yemaja is introduced as someone who “presides over ordeals by water” and is the “mother of fish.” This suggests how water has a deeper significance than merely being a physical feature, as there are indeed “ordeals” that need to be watched over. This makes it even more meaningful how the stream that birthed so many other gods and goddesses flowed from her body. Creation is definitely an ordeal. This also portrays emotional pain as not weakness, but a creative force bringing forth something greater.