"The Mami Wata" and possible origin of Luffy's mom.
Recently intrigued about the theory with Luffy's Mom being a Kuja, I couldn't help but try and validate it more. As such, I've explored more African myths related to Joy Boy. While there is a lot of good evidence with Luffy's Mom being an Amazonian, I think she's actually likely a [Mami Wata](https://i.imgur.com/v2Zf2zi.png).
[Mami Wata are Water Spirits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata) that are almost always portrayed as female. They have the human form on top, but the hindquarters of Fish, or Serpent. Occasionally they will also take the form of a human when looking for strong sailors to take home. Legend of the Mami Wata eventually makes it's way North and East to inspire the creation of the Siren's, Mermaids, and Nagas beliefs.
Mami Wata translates as "[The Mother of the Ocean](https://web.archive.org/web/20050417071004/http://server1.fandm.edu/departments/Anthropology/mami.html)". Some Mami Wata beliefs state that there is only one alive at any given time, and they pass on their powers to the take Mami Wata. All beliefs have a few things in common.
Mami Wata usually only let the strongest mariners in their domain. Once in the domain of the Mami Wata, the mariners are left with two options. Betrove themselves to Mami Wata where she brings them to her paradisiacal realm, (which may be underwater, in the spirit world, or both.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata#cite_note-Van_Stipriaan_325-4)) Should she allow them to leave, the travellers usually return in dry clothing and with a new spiritual understanding reflected in their gaze. These returnees often grow wealthier, more famous, and more beautiful. In contrast refusal will cause them to be cursed with an incurable disease, that hopefully force the men to return and betrove themselves to her.
In flashbacks Both Roger and Whitebeard talked of the ocean as if it was an actual person. Even Vegapunk says that the curse of being unable to swim is caused by the Sea's hatred of those who consume devilfruits, since the individual is rejecting the "natural world".
Interesting enough,
>While commonly seen with a mirror in hand, Mami Wata is able to embody ritual performances and worship ceremonies for Africans through this instrument. Her mirror represents a movement through the present and the future; her devotees are able to create their own reality through imaging of themselves in their own recreation of Mami Wata's world. In this world, one can embody her sacred powers, fulfilling the inventions of their own reality.
As a goddess of Fertility, Mami Wata herself is infertile. However, [she has the ability to shapeshift into a male to grant children to Women who have caught her interest](https://web.archive.org/web/20050417071004/http://server1.fandm.edu/departments/Anthropology/mami.html). The women typically lose wealth or beauty, but in return are granted with a child.
**Main Theory**
Mami Wata's realm is Laughtale. Roger didn't read about the truth of the Void century, rather he HEARD it from Mami Wata. He then rejected the betroval as he wanted to be free. As such, he was cursed with the incurable disease by Mami Wata.
Whitebeard likely found Laughtale, or Mami Wata came to him. Whitebeard likely refused and was cursed with an incurable disease as well, his reason is that his dream is of a massive family, one that can't be had with Mami Wata.
Dragon, likely trying to make a name for himself similar to Garp, set out to find Laughtale. He did, but in contrast to Roger and Whitebeards desires for freedom and family, Dragon desired change and notoriety. He accepts Mami Wata's demand, and she allows him to return to the surface with knowledge of the void century and a Mami Wata's blessing of "Wealth, Fame".
The prophecy that was learned on Laughtale was something like "A child born of a man will raise the Sun".Her female form is barren, but her male form can produce seed. Dragon, wanting to change the world sought to remedy the situation. He searched for Ivankoff, changed his sex to produce a child, and then asked Ivankoff to transition him back. The request and short nature of the transition probably nagged at Ivankoff, until he met Luffy. Then it took very little for Ivankoff to follow Luffy right into Marineford.
I also find it interesting that Usopp keeps talking about an Island that if he steps foot on, he would get an incurable disease. Which many assume to be Laughtale, which I completely agree with. I just believe the reasons he gets the incurable disease is different than what people imagine. He's soon to be a Brave Warrior of the Sea, the exact type that Mami Wata desires. If he enters her domain (possibly to save his Nakama), he will be left with betroval, or dying from an incurable disease. Knowing that the love of his life is dying from a different incurable disease, it makes since that he would choose to die young alongside Kaya, so that he can say he was a "brave warrior of the sea".
As much as people joke that Crocodile is Luffy's Mom, I think the joke has lasted because gender bending is tied to Luffy's family arc. I think Dragon being Luffy's Mom would be a perfect twist that lines up beautifully with the mythos One Piece is inspired by, and the One Piece story progressing with more and more transgendered characters. Its also comical, as it fits with Oda stating he's already drawn both Luffy's Parents, (Dragon and the Ocean itself).
It also fits in with Dragon's inspiration Loki, who turned away from the "gods". Loki constantly changes themself into a woman if it fits their plan to bring down the gods, and Luffy is constantly referred to as the Son of the Devil.
TL:DR Dragon is Luffy's Mom.
Extra info: You celebrate Mami Wata by Feasting, Drinking Alcohol, Lusting after Women, Playing Music and Coveting Precious gems and "baubles". She is also praised medically, as she is known to be able cure any disease incurable or not, but can also inflict it. Which explains why she was worshipped across the oceans during the great age of pirates.