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Alaafin

Alaafin Oyo and Sir Walter Egerton circa 1910 - Colorized
The 46th Alaafin of Oyo, HIM Oba Akeem Owoade I


Outermost entrance to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo called "Oju Abata"


Alaafin of Oyo as he is referred to is a powerful Yoruba monarch whose reign in the 17th to 18th centuries was vast. He ruled the Oyo Empire which extended from the present day Benin to Nigeria originating from states in the South East and West to the North.They people under him where called Yoruba and spoke Yoruba Language.

The Alaafin of Oyo is said to according to Yoruba mythology and history is said to have originated from Oduduwa the progenitor of the Yoruba race.[1] and present-day Oyo town of West Africa.[2] It is "emperor" in the context of ruler of empire. He ruled the Oyo Empire, which extended from the present-day Benin republic to Nigeria, originating from states in the South East and West to the North. The individuals under him are Yoruba people who speak the Yoruba language. Yoruba is widely spoken in various regions, such as Egba, Ijebu, Ekiti, Ijesha, Ile-Ife, and Eko, each with its own minor dialects.

In mythology and history, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oranyan, is said to be son of [Oduduwa]. He migrated from Ile-Ife to Oyo, where he became the king and laid the foundation for Yoruba Civilization.[1]. Ultimately, he returned to his origin, Ile-Ife, where he also ruled as king and eventually passed away.

The Alaafin and the Oyo Mesi formed the central government of the empire. Local provincial government was in the hands of oba (if crowned head) or bale (if not entitled to wear a crown).[3] The relationship between the Alafin and the Obas was a feudal one, that is for his rule and protection, the Obas, the Baales and chiefs of vassal states owed him certain obligations.[4] By the early 1800s.

The Present Alaafin of Oyo is His Imperial Majesty, Oba, Akeem Owoade I who succeeded the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin, The style used for Alaafins is Imperial Majesty.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b David D. Laitin (1986). Hegemony and Culture: Politics and Change Among the Yoruba. University of Chicago Press. p. 113. ISBN 9780226467900.
  2. ^ Jr, Everett Jenkins (2015-07-11). Pan-African Chronology II: A Comprehensive Reference to the Black Quest for Freedom in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia, 1865-1915. McFarland. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4766-0886-0.
  3. ^ Nigerian Forum. Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. 2005. p. 344.
  4. ^ Ezenwaji, Ifeyinwa U. (2002). Traditional Administrative System in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Nigerian Societies. Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. p. 154. ISBN 978-978-2409-41-6.
  5. ^ "ALAAFIN OF OYO – This is the website for the Alaafin of Oyo". Retrieved 2023-03-04. Welcome to the website of His Imperial Majesty, The Alaafin of Oyo, The Head and Paramount Ruler of the Yorubas.


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