THE HISTORY OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE)

THE PERIOD BEFORE 1500A.D

The Oyo Alaafin is an integral portion of the Yoruba nation that descended from the historical figure, Oduduwa or Olofin. According to historians, the Yorubas arrived in their present homes in waves from the ancient Meroe of the East of Sudan.

From Oduduwa descended Okanbi who was the father of these Obas:

• Olowu
• Alaketu
• Oba of Benin
• Orangun of Ila
• Onisabe of Sabe
• Onipopo of Popo
• Oranmiyan (Alaafin)

ORANMIYAN

A fighter and a warrior, the administration of oyo kingdom came to bloom under his successors: Ajaka Ekun, Sango, Aganju (with regent Iyayun, a female, when the monarch died and before Kori came of age to rule) and Oluaso.

Oranmiyan led an expedition to Benin and subdued the people. Reigned for 13 years and returned to Ife.

He however met opposition from the kindred of the Ogiso, and was refused entrance into the city upon his arrival. Oranmiyan camped at a place called Uselu, meaning “making of a city” and began to rule the Binis. His foreign style of management didn’t go down well with the chiefs, and they sent agents to spy on him.

All this made Oranmiyan declare that only a son of the soil can cope with the attitude of the Igodomigodo people and call the land “Ile – Ibinu”, meaning “Land of Vexation”. On leaving Ile-Ibinu (later Ibini, and corrupted to “Benin” by the Portuguese), he stopped briefly at Ego where he took Erinwide, the daughter of the Enogie (or duke) of Ego, as a wife. Eweka I was the result of this union.

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Oranmiyan was never to return to Benin. Oranmiyan is recognized as the first Oba of Benin and founder of the Eweka dynasty, which is still ruling today.

 

AJAKA EKUN

Ajaka was a calm and gentle king. Unlike his father, he was of a peaceful disposition, loved animal husbandry and encouraged it. Being too mild to be warlike, and with the provincial kings encroaching on Oyo, he was deposed and replaced by fearless and violent, Sango.

He went to Igboho where he remained in retirement seven years. After the death of Sango, he returned to the throne.

Ajaka enjoyed two terms on throne before and after Aláàfin Sango.

ALAAFIN SANGO

Sango was a famed and powerful warlord. The Oyomesi sent for Sango to rescue Alaafin Ajuan (Ajaka Ekun). Sango rescued Alaafin Ajuan and won the heart of everyone as a powerful and strong man.

 

With this admiration and respect of the masses, Sango was crowned the third Alaafin of Oyo while the rescued Alaafin Ajuan (Ajaka Ekun) was exiled.

1. He shifted the capital from Oko in vicinity of Ogbomoso to old Oyo on the famous tributary of Niger River, called River Moshe.
2. He established the hegemony of the Alaafin over the Owu near Ogbooro and in conflict. The later fled to Iwu Ogbere an area between Ife and Ijebu.
3. Sango was the product of intertribal marriage between a Nupe lady and the Alaafin.
4. He extended the area of Oyo Empire and so was able to exercise power over stretches of rivers Niger and Ogun.
5. Particularly, Osun and Oba waterways were named after his “said” deified wives. They represent viable religious and duties over a wide range of Yorubaland.

ALAAFIN AGANJU

Aganju was noted for erecting one hundred and twenty high rise gables and installing bronze and brass pillars as a way of enhancing the beauty of Oyo-Ile Palace. He liked aesthetics and he greatly beautified the palace.

Alaafin Aganju Sola  was posthumously deified.

Read More About Alaafin Aganju Sola

ALAAFIN OLUASO

Alaafin Oluaso ascended the throne. Oluaso, Alaafin Kori’s son was a handsome prince. His reign was long and peaceful. He was wise and had many wives and children. He was said to have had up to 1, 460 children. He also built 54 palaces for the most influential princes.

Allowing for historical telescoping of areas of events forgotten or badly remembered, bards could trim the issues to ensure intelligent presentation. But the areas thus covered could nearly approximate to about 1000A.D to 1500A.D.

CONTINUE BY READING: THE IGBOHO AND IMPERIAL PERIOD – 1600 to 1800

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Summary

Article Name

THE HISTORY OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) - THE PERIOD BEFORE 1500A.D

Description

As the Arrow head of Oyo People and the head of their monarchy referred to as Alaafin, their exercise of power saw him (Oranmiyan) as touching Ife, Edo Kingdom and eventually Oyo.

Author

JOHNSON OKUNADE

Publisher Name

MY WOVEN WORDS