The Egba are ancient freedom-fighters, highly intellectual, artistic together with agriculturalist Yoruboid-speaking people that forms the sub-set of the larger Yoruba ethnic grouping of West Africa, especially inwards Nigeria together with the Republic of Benin. Egba people who were also traders reside inwards Southwestern Nigeria inwards the metropolis of Abeokuta, the Capital of Ogun State.
Egba people of Ogun State
Egba people who are the original founders of the metropolis of Abeokuta which they part with Owu people (later arrivals), had an chance of their terra firma also settled on past times missionaries (in the 1840s) past times Sierra Leone Creole (Saro, who were Nigerians together with others Africans descendants repatriated from diaspora dorsum to Sierra Leone) who later became prominent every bit missionaries together with every bit businessmen. It must live emphasized that Abeokuta’s success every bit the uppercase of the Egbas together with every bit a link inwards theLagos - Abeokuta oil-palm merchandise led to state of war with Dahomey (now Republic of Benin Republic). In the battle at Abeokuta inwards 1851,the Egbas were aided past times the missionaries together with also armed past times the British. Thus, they were able to defeat King Gezo’sDahomey Army that was unique together with famous inwards the history of West Africa for its mutual exercise of using women warriors. Another Dahomey onset was repulsed inwards 1864. Troubles inwards the 1860s with the British inwards Lagos led the Egbas to closed the merchandise routes to the coast together with they expelled its missionaries together with European traders at virtually 1867.
Egba people are direct descendants of Orafiyan, boy together with successor of Oduduwa, the progenitor of Yoruba people. They were nether a federation of iii groups-Ake, Okeona together with Gbagura scattered over 150 towns together with including the modern metropolis of Ibadan, Oyo together with Ijaye. Egba people were parts of the famous pre-colonial African Oyo empire (Kingdom) inwards Nigeria.
Up until the 18th Century, the Egba people lived inwards a cluster of villages or so a identify known every bit Orile-Itoko, every bit a dependent champaign territory of the old Oyo Empire, which was i of the strongest empires that e'er existed inwards West Africa. Just similar the Roman Empire, the Oyo empire was so rigid that it easily quelled whatever shape of uprising or rebellion from whatever of its subject-states. It was even so shocking when a picayune known, but brave warrior, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, arose from alongside the Egba people together with led the land inwards an uprising against the Oyo Army’s continuous business of their land, the starting fourth dimension inwards the history of political together with armed forces confrontation with the Oyo kingdom. The defeated the Oyo Earth forces non entirely liberated the Egba people from the stronghold of the Oyo kingdom, it also signaled the disintegration of the all-mighty empire together with the little land of Egba ceased to live a colony of the Oyo empire together with became a costless province piece Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, upwards to this day, is regarded every bit the manly someone parent of the Egba people for his outstanding roles inwards the people’s liberation.
However, the weakening powerfulness of the Oyo Empire every bit a effect of continuous disintegration of the kingdom together with ascent of sometime colonies similar Ibadan, Ijebu together with the likes coupled with the boom of the slave trade, exposed the land to frequent attacks from Ibadan every bit good every bit Dahomey, some other large empire with its headquarters inwards today’s Republic of Benin Republic.
Thus, betwixt 1825 together with 1830 when it became expedient that the Nation of Egba tin no longer withstand the frequent attacks of the slave hunters from Ibadan together with Dahomey, the Egba people, on the directives of the Ifa Oracle, was led past times main Shodeke, on a long but tortuous journeying that brought them to the western side of the massive outcrop of granite rocks called “OLUMO”, that is “Oluwa fimo” important God puts an halt to our wandering. The rattling betoken the oracle asked them to relocate to.
HRH Alake of Egbaland, Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo & Helen Oketunji (Publisher, Vintage magazine, UK)
Historically Egba people used to people without kings, hence the mutual saying:"“Egba ko l’olu, gbogbo nwon ni nse bi Oba” (Egbas receive got no king, they are all of them similar masters) “Olu wa’ l’Oyo” (The manly someone monarch of Oyo). That is to say, they receive got no manly someone monarch that rules. The manly someone monarch is acknowledged every bit the caput of the government, but entirely every bit a figure head. More marked was this when they lived inwards carve upwards townships before their concentration at Abeokuta. The Ogbonis constitute the town council, together with they are also the executive, together with fifty-fifty the " king" was dependent champaign to them. The same dominion holds proficient fifty-fifty at Abeokuta for each township. Amongst the highest Ogboni titles are : —
The Aro, Oluwo, Apena, Ntowa, Bala, Basala Baki, Asipa, Asalu, Lajila, Apesi, Esinkin Ola, Bayimbo, Odgfin. The warriors rank side past times side after the Ogbonis, the Balogun together with the Seriki existence the most important. The Egbas receive got been important members of ruling political parties, music, art, feminism advocacy, liberty together with republic together with at the forefront of Human Rights campaigns. In fact, they receive got contributed significantly to the political evolution of Nigeria together with the world.
Professor Akinwande Oluwole "Wole" Soyinka, an Egba-Yoruba homo together with a Nigerian playwright together with poet. He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize inwards Literature, the starting fourth dimension African to live so honored.
The likes of Adetokunbo Ademola, the Ransome Kuti family, Madam Tinubu, George Sodeinde Sowemimo, Wole Soyinka, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, Olusegun
Osoba, Dimeji Bankole together with others cannot live forgotten inwards the political history together with political evolution of Nigerian.
The Egbas tin live distinguished from other Yoruba grouping with how their facial tribal marks are cut. The Egba facial grade is known every bit the Abaja Oro, i.e. the upright Abaja is distinctive of the Egbas. They consist of iii perpendicular lines each virtually 3 inches long on each cheek. The younger generations, however, receive got their lines rather faint or of shorter lengths indistinguishable from the Pele.
On clothing, Egba men have on trousers, kembe/sokoto for down; and the top is Buba together with Agbada; cap, Fila (a beti aja). Their women wear: Down, Wrapper, Iro; Top, Buba; Headgear, Gele; Others – Ipele – Piece of stuff placed on the shoulder or wrapped or so the waist.
Their staple nutrient Food is Lafu (White Amala) together with Ewedu soup; Wara, (Cottage Cheese Drink)
The Egba people receive got their ain National Anthem every bit a grouping of people. Below is the anthem:
Egba Anthem
Lori oke o'un petele Ibe l'agbe bi mi si o Ibe l'agbe to mi d'agba oo Ile ominira
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
Abeokuta ilu Egba Un ko nii gbagbe e re Un o gbe o l'eke okan mi Bii ilu odo oya Emi o f'Abeokuta sogo Un o duro l'ori Olumo Maayo l'oruko Egba ooo Emi omoo Lisabi E e
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
Emi o maayo l'ori Olumo Emi o s'ogoo yi l'okan mi Wipe ilu olokiki o L'awa Egba n gbe E e
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
There are some other songs that the egba people sing, hither is i of them:
Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa, Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa
sa wa Egba lo ni jesu o
Here goes some other curt one
Awa lo bit abeokuta, ilu rere ilu olola
ilu to duro lase oluwa, Egba omo lisabi.
An “egungun'' festival inwards Ijaiye-Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital
Geography together with Economy
Abeokuta lies inwards the fertile province of wooded savanna, the surface of which is broken past times masses of greyness granite. It is spread over an extensive area, existence surrounded past times mud walls eighteen miles inwards extent.
Palm-oil, timber, rubber, yams, rice, cassava, maize, cotton, other fruits, together with shea butter are the main articles of trade. It is a key export location for cocoa, palm products, fruit, together with kola nuts. Both rice together with cotton fiber were introduced past times the missionaries inwards the 1850′s together with receive got larn integral parts of the economy, along with the dye indigo. It lies below the Olumo Rock, dwelling to several caves together with shrines. The town depends on the Oyan River Dam for its H2O supply.
Abeokuta is the headquarters of the Federal Ogun-Oshin River Basin Authority, which is responsible for evolution of terra firma together with H2O resources for Lagos, Ogun, together with Oyo states. Included inwards this are irrigation, food-processing, together with electrification.
Local industries include but are non express to fruit canning plants, plastics, breweries, sawmills, together with an aluminum products factory. South of town are the Aro Granite Quarries.
Abeokuta, Olumu Rock
Language
Egba people speaks North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect of the Yoruboid languages which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication phylum. Apart from Egba people of Abeokuta, NYW dialect is also spoken inwards Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun together with Lagos (Eko) areas.
Ransome kuti family
North-West Yoruba is historically a component of the Ọyọ empire. In NWY dialects, Proto-Yoruba /gh/ (the velar fricative [ɣ]) together with /gw/ receive got merged into /w/; the upper vowels /i ̣/ together with /ụ/ were raised together with merged with /i/ together with /u/, exactly every bit their nasal counterparts, resulting inwards a vowel organisation with 7 oral together with iii nasal vowels. Ethnographically, traditional authorities is based on a sectionalization of ability betwixt civil together with state of war chiefs; lineage together with descent are unilineal together with agnatic.
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History
The story of Abeokuta, the abode of the Egbas, started with their liberation from the sovereignty together with over Lord-ship of the Alafin of Oyo Empire, to which the Egbas hitherto belonged.
The Liberation took identify betwixt 1775 together with 1780, nether the leadership of Lisabi, a resident of Igbehin, but who was born inwards Itoku. He organized a motion nether the advert of Egbe “Aaro” Tradition mutual Aid society.
Lisabi later used the mutual Aid assistance to costless the Egba past times organizing the simultaneous killing of the Ajales or the Ilaris inwards all Egba towns, inwards 1780, starting from Igbehin. In all to a greater extent than than 600 llaris or Ajeles were wiped out inwards i day. Ilaris the representative of the Alafin of Oyo together with collectors of the tribute paid to the coffer of Alafin from all territories nether the Oyo Empire.
The Ajales or Ilaris inwards general, behaved similar an Army of Occupation inwards the places they administered. Their Tyrannical rules grade them out every bit musical instrument of oppression together with suppression of the people. It was this Authoritarian dominion of the Alafin together with reckless life’s vogue of this Ilaris inwards Egbaland that threw upwards Lisabi together with is Peers who were resolve to choose an halt to the evil dominion at all cost. The adoption of the universal pop Aaro organisation of cooperation past times the “Egbe Ologun” (Arms Bearers Club) was the strategy Lisabi used to plot against the Ilaris inwards his Igbehin town. All the other Egba town rose together with killed the Ilaris inwards their midst.
As shortly every bit the tidings reaches metropolitan Oyo the Oloyo wasted no fourth dimension inwards dispatching an Army to crunch the Egbe Rebellion. But Lisabi divisional anticipated inwards the Reprisal an had factored it into his conception the Army of vengeance was routed together with the liberty of the Egbas from the yoke of the Alafin was sealed. The fourth dimension to which this Episode inwards Egba is to relate was betwixt 1775 an 1780. The menstruum betwixt 1780 together with 1828 inwards the history of Egba was post-Lisabi era inwards the Egba forest.
One would receive got idea that having been liberated from the vice similar grip of imperialisms the Egba were non given to serve whatever monarch, fifty-fifty though they receive got an Oba, together with their constitution was monarchy but would strive to sustain their novel found liberty past times forging stronger cooperative relation alongside them selves. That was non to live some factors which were inherent inwards their psychological brand upwards shortly re-surface i time the focused of their un commons unity (somehow superimpose past times Lisabi forcefulness of character) was missing the internal squabbles together with disaffection alongside the people were ofttimes fertilized past times the inter-personal dissention alongside the leaders who were mainly chiefs.
Around 1829, Lamodi of Igbehin together with Balogun of the Egba, living inwards Maye’s military camp inwards Ibadan, decided that the Egba should uncovering a way of escape from Maye’s bondage. The Egbas had heard virtually Abeokuta before on inwards their yell for for a identify with proficient safety to settle in. they sent main Sobookun, the Baamokun of Ilugun, together with others to choose a handful of world together with the effect was propitious.
History revealed that the Egbas did non larn to Abeokuta at the same time. The starting fourth dimension batch to arrived Abeokuta consisted of Egba Alake, Oke Ona, together with Gbagura, inwards that order. Later Olufakun led the Owu to Abeokuta, piece others followed. Lamodi lost is married adult woman inwards an epic battle piece trying to preclude his starting fourth dimension son, Osota, from existence captured past times Maye’s army, who were pursuing the Egba. But before he died, he handed over the drape of leadership Sodoke. The seriki of the Egbas, Sodeke, inwards 1830 led the Egba Alake into Abeokuta. Balogun Olunloye, the Balogun Ilugun, led Ogba Oke-Ona whilst Oluwole Agbo, Balogun Ojo Gbagura, led the Gbagura to Abeokuta, likes Joshua inwards the bible. Sodeke of Iporo finally led the Egbas to Abeokuta inwards 1830.
It was revealed that an Iloko main named Idowu Liperu had before been living at the settlement. He had cross the Ogun River together with settles on a farmland, were iii hunters, namely Jibulu, Ose together with Olunle joined him. Unlike, Liperu, who erected a solid with the assistance of the together with then Olubara Lafa the iii hunters lodge inwards caves nether the Olumo Rock. It was them who told the Egba delegate who came to choose soil samples virtually the Olumo Rock.
Later, Adagba together with other displace to the stone to bring together Liperu together with the iii hunters, who had settle there. Adagba was a brave man, who had is farmland located rattling closed to olumo rock. The settlement was called “Oko Adagba,” the other homo for Abeokuta piece Olumo Rock took his advert from it existence natural furnished with apartment. “Olumo “means built past times the Lord.” Other historians maintained that the important of olumo is “Oluwa Fimo” important God pose an halt to our hostility against the Egbas together with their suffering.” Abeokuta is also known every bit “Abe Olumo”.
After the demise of main Sodeke, Abeokuta has no leaders for quite a issue of years. The direction of the town was left inwards the hands of chiefs similar Ogunbona, the Balogun of Ikija, Okukene the Sagbua of Ake; Someye, the seriki who later became Bashorun who succeeded Apati, Bada of Kemta together with others.
The Egbas realized that they are non united every bit they had been when Sodeke brought them together. The idea of having an Oba came to them together with the lot cruel on Okukene, the Sabua of Ake together with caput of Egba Ogboni – an industrious woodcarver. He installed the Alake of Abeokuta on August 8, 1854. Oba Okukene’s reign witnessed the advancement of Christianity, commerce together with the advent of European merchants inwards Abeokuta.
He died inwards 1862. An interregnum of virtually 7 years elapsed betwixt the decease of Okukene together with the installation of some other Oba inwards the someone of Ademola 1 – who reigned betwixt 1869 together with 1877. He was succeeded past times Oyekan who reigned betwixt 1879 to 1881. It was the plough of Luwaji to reign betwixt 1885 to1889. Osokalu ruled betwixt 1891 together with 1898. Egba became a land during Oba Osokalu. Gbadebo 1, ruled betwixt 1889 to1920. Sir Ladapo Ademola II reigned from 1920-1962. Oba Adeshina Gbadebo II reigned from 1963 to 1971. Oba (Dr.) Oyebade Lidepe ruled betwixt 1972 together with the yr 2005.
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukene IV, born fourteen September 1943, was elected the Alake of Egbaland on 2 August 2005 together with reigns till date. He is from Laarun Ruling House, a grandson of the 6th Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, who ruled from 188 to 1920.
Economy
Abeokuta is an agro-based marketplace topographic point with little together with middle flat agro industries. The people create agricultural products such every bit Yams, Cassava, Rice, Corn, Palm oil, Poultry, Cottons together with vegetables. It also serves every bit an exporting betoken for cocoa, palm create together with kolanuts.
Due to the rocky terrain of some parts of the city, it has for many years been dwelling to a issue of quarry industries.Although, cotton fiber was introduced past times the Missionaries inwards the 1850’s, Cotton weaving, pottery together with necktie together with dye (Adire) are all traditional crafts of the Abeokuta people.
The metropolis is reputed to live the uppercase of the necktie together with dye manufacture inwards Nigeria. The centre of Adire making together with marketing inwards Abeokuta is at the pop Itoku marketplace topographic point at Kenta.
“The dyes were initially extracted from grasses together with leaves which were soaked for a issue of days inwards monastic tell to extract the dye from it. However, when the Malian traders came to Nigeria inwards the early on component of the 20th Century, they introduced chemic dyes which came inwards varying colours. This evolution gave a boast to the manufacture together with made the procedure of adire making a lot faster inwards a bid to encounter the growing need for it, says Mrs Malaolu, an adire merchant.
Political structure
The convention which the Egba people operated since 1830 was never codified until 1897 when the EGBA UNITED GOVERNMENT became structured. Under the convention, the quarters were broadly grouped nether 4 natural rulers namely:
The ALAKE of AKE, the OSILE of OKE-ONA, the AGURA of GBAGURA, together with the OLOWU of OWU
The ALAKE who was accepted every bit the paramount leader assumes the title: THE ALAKE OF EGBALAND, who existence the chairman of the other Egba kings, represents the involvement of all the Egbas inwards all aspects that concern the Kingdom.
The amalgamation of the Egba people inwards Abeokuta shared political powers inwards varying degrees nether the next broad classifications:
The OGBONIs - the SENATE
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs who prosecuted wars
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs who dominated the Economic sector
The OLODEs - the Hunting Chiefs whose purpose was modest but nevertheless significant
Next to the natural rulers, the OGBONI chiefs constituted the Executive Council inwards the direction of the State. Their advice was highly valued past times the natural rulers who invariably consulted them inwards confidence before taking whatever major decisions. The Ogbonis adjudicated over cases involving murder, adultery, divorce, recovery of debts, etc.
The Court, their give-and-take was police push clitoris correct from the settlement of the Egba inwards Abeokuta, until much later after the Adubi War.
They encounter regularly to deliberate over the affairs of their communities. For a citizen to discountenance a summons from Ogbonis was considered outright treason. They earned their income through fines together with gifts or tributes inwards the shape of nutrient or produce.
The amalgamation of the Egba people inwards Abeokuta shared political powers inwards varying degrees nether the next broad classifications:
The OGBONIs - the SENATE
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs who prosecuted wars
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs who dominated the Economic sector
The OLODEs - the Hunting Chiefs whose purpose was modest but nevertheless significant
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs -were responsible for executing wars declared past times the natural ruler or considered necessary at their ain discretions. They were expected to live militarily prepared all the time, either to wage the Obas state of war or to ward off attacks from invaders. Sometimes, the War Chiefs wielded much ability which could constitute a threat to the safety of tenure of Oba himself.
Chief Olusegun Osoba the Akinrogun of Egbaland,and Aremo Awujale of Ijebuland, journalist, together with sometime MD Daily Times of Nigeria, was (born July xv 1939) at an Egba settlement inwards Osogbo called Egbatedo to Pa together with Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba of blessed Memory. He was elected on 2 dissimilar occasions every bit Governor of Ogun State starting fourth dimension from Jan 1992 until Nov 1993 on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs superintended over matters of commerce together with merchandise inwards general. They were responsible for the smoothen running of the commercial life of the community together with offered economical advice to the state.
The OLODEs - the Hunters’ Chiefs looked after the affairs of farming together with hunting inwards peace time.
During wars, they performed Para-military duties.
Generally, the Egbas had dandy abide by for their Chiefs together with each of the 4 groupings commanded dandy abide by from the entire citizenry. This was why whatever someone with the correct agency together with inclination aspired to obtain a chieftaincy championship past times whatever agency possible. H5N1 adult woman was normally included every bit a Chief inwards each grouping to stand upwards for the involvement of the womenfolk.
Wars fought together with won past times the Egbas
Owiwi war- Between the Egbas together with the Remos inwards 1832
Oluyole war- This state of war was betwixt the Egbas together with Oyo inwards 1834-1835
Iperu war- This was fought inwards 1836
1st Dahomey war- Between the Egbas together with the Dahomey inwards 1844-1845
2d Dahomey war- inwards 1851
third Dahomey war- inwards 1853
fourth Dahomey war- inwards 1864
Olu of Ilaro Yewa (Egbado) Ilaro town, western Ogun state, South Western Nigeria. Located on the sometime merchandise route from the towns of the empire of Oyo to the port of Porto-Novo (now the uppercase of Benin), xl miles (64 km) southwest, it was established past times the belatedly 18th century every bit the uppercase together with main merchandise centre of the Egbado people (a subgroup of the Yoruba). With the decline of Oyo inwards the early on 19th century, the Egbado kingdom was raided for slaves past times the Dahomeyans until it was absorbed inwards the 1840s together with '50s past times the to a greater extent than powerful Egba kingdom at Abeokuta (29 miles [47 km] northeast). As a dependent champaign town, Ilaro served the Egba every bit a trading postal service on the western route from Lagos to Ibadan. In the 1860s European missionaries arrived together with established the Yoruba Anglican Mission inwards Ilaro. Following the 1890 delineation of colonial boundaries past times the French together with the British, the Egbado, who felt oppressed past times Egba rule, asked for British protection together with command of their territory. H5N1 British armed forces garrison was built inwards Ilaro inwards the same year. Modern Ilaro is a collecting betoken for cocoa, palm oil together with kernels, kola nuts, vegetables (especially rice together with okra), together with fruits grown inwards the surrounding area. Yams, cassava, together with corn (maize) are also cultivated past times the town's farmers. Cotton weaving together with dyeing (with locally grown indigo) are traditional industries. There are deposits of limestone (used past times a cement flora at Ewekoro, xiii miles [21 km] east-northeast) together with phosphate inwards the vicinity. Ilaro is the site of a federal polytechnic college. It is located at the halt of a spur on the Lagos-Nguru railway together with lies at a junction of local roads. Population 42,410 (1992 Estimate).
Egba- Abeokuta town, capital of Ogun state, South Western Nigeria. It is situated on the due east banking company of the Ogun River, or so a grouping of rocky outcroppings that ascent to a higher identify the surrounding wooded savanna. It lies on the main railway (1899) from Lagos, 48 miles (78 km) south, together with on the older body route from Lagos to Ibadan; it also has route connections to Ilaro, Shagamu, Iseyin, together with Kétou (Benin). Abeokuta ("refuge alongside rocks") was founded inwards virtually 1830 past times Sodeke (Shodeke), a hunter together with leader of the Egba refugees who fled from the disintegrating Oyo Empire. The town was also settled past times missionaries (in the 1840s) together with past times Sierra Leone Creoles, who later became prominent every bit missionaries together with every bit businessmen. Abeokuta's success every bit the uppercase of the Egbas, and every bit a link inwards the Lagos-Ibadan oil-palm merchandise led to wars with Dahomey, (now Benin). In the battle at Abeokuta inwards 1851, the Egba, aided past times the missionaries together with armed past times the British, defeated King Gezo's Dahomeyan Earth forces (unique inwards the history of western Africa for its mutual exercise of using women warriors). Another Dahomeyan onset was repulsed inwards 1864. Troubles inwards the 1860s with the British inwards Lagos led the Egba to closed the merchandise routes to the coast together with to expel (1867) its missionaries together with European traders. to a greater extent than | enlarge Osile of Oke-Ona After the Yoruba civil wars (1877-93), inwards which Abeokuta opposed Ibadan, the Egba Alake ("king") signed an alliance with the British governor, Sir Gilbert Carter, that recognized the independence of the Egba United Government (1893-1914). In 1914 the kingdom was incorporated into the newly amalgamated British Colony together with Protectorate of Nigeria. The Abeokuta riots of 1918 protested both the levying of taxes together with the "indirect rule" policy of Lord Frederick Lugard, the British governor-general, which made the Alake, formerly primus inter pares ("first alongside equals"), the supreme traditional leader to the detriment of the other quarter chiefs. Modern Abeokuta is an agricultural merchandise centre (rice, yams, cassava, corn [maize], palm oil together with kernels, cotton, fruits, vegetables) together with an exporting betoken for cocoa, palm produce, fruits, together with kola nuts. to a greater extent than | enlarge Agura of Gbagura .
Abeokuta was a walled town, together with relics of the old wall silent exist. Notable buildings include the Ake (the residence of the Alake), Centenary Hall (1930), together with several churches together with mosques. Secondary schools together with primary teachers' colleges at Abeokuta are supplemented past times the University of Agriculture (formerly the University of Lagos Abeokuta campus), which specializes inwards science, agriculture, together with technology, together with the Ogun State Polytechnic (1979; a college). Pop. (1996 est.) 427,400.. Rice together with cotton fiber were introduced past times the missionaries inwards the 1850s, together with cotton fiber weaving together with dyeing (with locally grown indigo) are directly traditional crafts of the town. to a greater extent than | enlarge Olubara of Ibara Abeokuta is the headquarters for the Federal Ogun-Oshin River Basin Authority with programs to harness terra firma together with H2O resources for Lagos, Ogun, together with Oyo states for rural development. Irrigation, food-processing, together with electrification projects are included. Local manufacture is express but directly includes fruit-canning plants, a plastics factory, a brewery, sawmills, together with an aluminum-products factory. South of the town are the Aro granite quarries, which provide edifice materials for much of southern Nigeria, together with a huge, modern cement flora at Ewekoro (18 miles [29 km] south).
Traditional Council Members
1. His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo The Alalake of Egbaland President
2. His Royal Majesty (Dr) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso The Oshile of Oke-Ona Egba
3. His Royal Majesty Oba Halidu Laloko Sobekun The Agura of Gbagura
4. His Royal Majesty Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu The Olowu of Owu
5. His Royal Majesty Oba Moshood A. Oyede The Olota of Ota
6. His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) J. O. Omolade Olubara of Ibara
7. His Royal Majesty Oba N. A. Adekanbi The Olofin of Isheri
8. His Royal Majesty Oba (Apostle) M. A. A. Olabode The Omola of Imala
9. His Royal Majesty Oba A. O. Oyero The Oniro of Iro
10. His Royal Majesty Oba Michael A. Fatona The Elewo Ilewo
11. His Royal majesty Oba J. O. O. Tella The Onisaga of Isaga
12. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Oloyede The Onijale of Ijale
13. His Royal Majesty Oba S. O. Fasina Onikooko of Kooko
14. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Ojugbele The Onilogbo of Ilogbo
15. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Oladipupo The Olu of Ifo
16. His Royal Majesty Oba A. K. Akamo The Olu of Itori
17. His Royal Majesty Oba F. O. Makinde The Olu of Igbein
18. His Royal Majesty Oba Onitele of Itele - (Vacant)
To live candid Abeokuta is the most influential alongside other Yoruba towns
Abeokuta was founded inwards 1830 past times warriors like:
LAMODI-Who initiated the displace to ABEOKUTA was together with then the BALOGUN of EGBA,he died on the way together with never made it to the promised terra firma ABEOKUTA.
SODEKE-Who was together with then the SERIKI of EGBA led the fleeing EGBAs to ABEOKUTA inwards 1830 after the decease of LAMODI.
SODEKE’s manly someone parent was from Iporo but his mother,EFUWON,was from Gbagura.
THE CROWNING of EGBA OBAs
eighth August,1854 -OKUKENU who held the championship of Sagbua,the postal service of headship of the Ogbonis,was crowned the ALAKE of AKE.Losii,an Ake homo was the starting fourth dimension selection but he died before he could live installed.
In 1855 - the Owu followed conform past times crowning PAWU every bit OLOWU of OWU
1870 - The AGURA was crowned
1897 - OLOKO (now OSILE) was crowned
14th April,1952 – OLUBARA, Oba Samuel Adetola Adesina Lalubu the 2d was the starting fourth dimension to live crowned inwards Abeokuta Town.
( history revealed that in that location had been 7 OLUBARAs who were crowned at Ibara Orile)
Egba United Government
HISTORY OF ABEOKUTA
Wars fought together with won past times the Egbas
Owiwi war- Between the Egbas together with the Remos inwards 1832
Oluyole war- This state of war was betwixt the Egbas together with Oyo inwards 1834-1835
Iperu war- This was fought inwards 1836
1st Dahomey war- Between the Egbas together with the Dahomey inwards 1844-1845
2d Dahomey war- inwards 1851
third Dahomey war- inwards 1853
fourth Dahomey war- inwards 1864
THE ALAKE of EGBALAND
The OLOWU of OWU
The AGURA of GBAGURA
The OSILE of OKE-ONA
The OLUBARA of IBARA
The Alake of Egbaland HRH Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo Okukenu IV
The Olowu of OWUAbeokuta HRH Oba Adegboyega Olusanya Dosumu The Amororo II
The Agura of Gbagura HRH Oba Halidu Laloko Sobekun II
The Osile of Oke-Ona HRH Oba Adedapo Tejuoso Karunwi III
The olubara of Ibara HRH Oba Jacob Omolade Lafa II
In depth History of Egba People
The Egbas are a little offshoot of the Yorubas Proper, who occupy the south-eastern districts of that province. They origin- ally occupied the expanse bounded past times for certain imaginary lines drawn, say, from Ijaye to encounter the Ogun River at Olokemeji, together with along it to its mouth, together with some other from the same betoken via Ibadan to the due west of Jebu Remo downwards to the coast. They lived inwards hamlets together with villages for the most, component independently of i another, together with never nether i rule. All the principal families of the Egbas delineate their root from Oyo, hence the mutual proverb " Egbas who receive got non their root inwards Oyo are slaves," i.e., belong to the conquered aboriginal population. Most of the chiefs sprang from the Esos of Oyo. It would seem together with then that during the wars of conquest, a issue of these war-like Esos, nether the leadership of the King's half-brother, was detached from the main army, carrying their arms to those regions where they after settled, inwards the immediate neighbourhood of the Owns. Abeokuta, every bit nosotros directly know it, of course of teaching had no existence then. Each of what is directly called the " townships " was a carve upwards hamlet or hamlet with its ain main ; they were loosely grouped into iii divisions, but rather independent of i another, but all acknowledging the King's blood brother (the Alake) every bit their Primus. They were :
1. Egba Agbeyin. These were the Egbas proper, together with nearest the I jebu Remos. The principal towns were : Ake, the main town, Ijeun, Kemta, Iporo, Igbore, etc.
2. Egba Oke Ona, i.e., those situated close the banks of the River Odo Ona. Oko the main town, Ikereku, Ikija, Idomapa, Odo, Podo, etc. Their main is called the Osile.
3. Egba Agura or Gbagura : these were situated close the Oyo districts, together with indeed they contain genuine Oyos inwards large numbers, together with to a greater extent than ofttimes than non they partake of their characteristics largely, hence
they are nick-named " Oyos alongside Egbas." The principal towns were : Agura the chief, Ilugun, Ibadan, Ifaye, Ika, Ojo, Ilawo, etc.
The Egbas were on the whole few inwards number, together with occupied a express territory ; this tin rattling good live proved past times the fact, that after a menstruum of to a greater extent than than one-half a century, they receive got been compelled past times stress of circumstances to alive together within i wall, together with inwards spite of large accessions from other tribes, they silent shape but a unmarried large town. Situated, every bit they were then, far from the centre of life together with activity, they were picayune idea of. They had no carve upwards manly someone monarch because all the principal chiefs together with distinguished personages were component bearers of the Alafin, hence the mutual saying, " Egba ko I'olu, gbogbo nwon ni nse howdy Oba " (Egbas receive got no King, they are all of them similar masters) " Olu wa' royo " (The King is at Oyo). It may live noted, that every kid born to a reigning Alake must receive got an Oyo facial grade ; together with that is so to this day. In early on times the Alake ranks alongside the junior members of the Royal Family ; for that argue in that location has never been a distinct royal solid unit of measurement arnong the Egbas. The main rulers inwards each sectionalization were normally elected (by divination) from whatever i of the 153 townships ; an Ikija homo for illustration has been " manly someone monarch " of Itesi, an Ijeun homo an Alake. In this abide by also the Gbaguras differ from the others.
In later times, at Abeokuta, i Jibode, a wealthy trader together with traveller, who vainly endeavoured to obtain the Primacy of Ake, left children together with grandchildren who eventually attained the coveted position, which was a singular illustration of to a greater extent than than i fellow member of a solid unit of measurement becoming an Alake, but together with then they were all born inwards dissimilar townships.
The Osile is said to live an unfortunate championship because, to a greater extent than than whatever of the other divisions, the Oke Ona people were to a greater extent than ptone to slaughter human victims; everytime the Osile entered the Ogboni
house, he must walk on the blood of a manly someone victim, together with when he comes out on that of a woman someone ! Also that Osiles never perish a natural decease ; when their excesses became unbearable they were normally stoned to decease ; hence the appellation of their main town, " Oko " — i.e., a pelting stone. For that argue the Egbas were reluctant to resuscitate the championship at Abeokuta until Governor McCallum of Lagos inwards 1897 on the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee ordered the Egbas together with others to reorganise their government, together with fill upwards up vacant titles.
Since the devastation of the City of Owu (as nosotros shall consider below) together with the unification of the Egba villages, the Owus receive got domiciled alongside them. Hence the so-called Four United Kings of the
Egbas : although Owu is non Egba.
Other version
After the autumn of Owu, together with the penalization inflicted upon some Egba towns for secretly befriending
the beleaguered city, the military camp at Idi Ogugun broke up, together with the leading Ife together with Ijebu generals returned dwelling to their respective masters, but the residuum of the allied armies with the Oyo refugees
were invited past times the Ijebus to Ipara, a town of Ijebu Remo. Making this identify their headquarters, these restless bands of marauders found business for their arms inwards conquering together with subjugating several towns inwards Ijebu Remo nether the Awujale of Ijebu Ode, viz Ode, Iperu, Ogere together with Makun.
As stated inwards the preceding department in that location were some friendly Egba chiefs who joined the marauders at Idi Ogugun together with at Ipara, together with directly they were all living together at Ibadan. The most influential alongside them were : — Lamgdi, Apati, Ogunbona, Oso, Gbewiri, together with Inakoju. Ogundipe, who afterwards became a notable main at Abeokuta was together with then but a blacksmith together with a individual soldier.
Pretext was shortly found for waging state of war with the Egbas who were together with then living inwards little villages scattered all over the expanse betwixt Ipara together with Ibadan. Several expeditions were made from their
base of operations at Ipara, together with Iporo, Eruwon, Oba, Itoko, Itesi, Imo, Ikereku, Itoku, etc., were taken.
The next are the names of the distinguished war-chiefs inwards this stimulate : — Oyo chiefs — Oluyedun, Lakanle, Oluyole, Adelakun, Opeagbe, Abitiko, Yismati, Oluoye, Koseiko, Abidogun, Osun, Laleitan, Bankole, Fadeyi Ogani-ija, Agbeni, etc. All these chiefs joined the allied Earth forces every bit individual soldiers, but the fortunes of state of war raised them to positions of dandy distinction.
Notwithstanding this, they were looked downwards upon past times the Ife together with Ijebu leaders nether whose auspices they joined the state of war against Owu, together with had no vocalization inwards their councils. But they were shortly to demonstrate their superiority.
His Royal Highness Oba Gbedegbo I, 1898 - 1920.
Creator: Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir, 1858-1927 -- Photographer
Source:Britain across the seas: Africa; a history together with description of the British Empire inwards Africa.
Ife chiefs — Maye (the generalissimo inwards the absence of Singusin) Ogugu, Derin-Okiin, Labgsinde, Ogini, Aregbe, Olufadi, Degoke, Kugbayigbe, Oluygde, Epo, Kudayisi.
Ijebu chiefs — Kalejaiye, Amoibo, Osunlalu, Oguade, Argwgsanle, etc.
Rich with the booty of these expeditions, together with finding no fresh fields of functioning for their arms they decided to disband the army. The Ijebu state of war chiefs returned dwelling together with the Ifes laid out to render past times way of Oorun ; the Oyos who had nowhere to go to accompanied them. There were thousands of Oyos already inwards Ife districts.
At Oorun (a Gbagura town) they found fresh occupation for their arms when the men of that identify refused them a passage. Another circumstance also occurred which hastened the siege of
Oorun together with the autumn of the remaining Egba townships.
H5N1 dispute arose betwixt the people of Idomapa a neighbouring town together with the Gbaguras virtually territorial limits which at length broke out into state of war together with Oluwole the manly someone monarch of Idomapa who was the
weaker of the 2 combatants asked the assistance of Labgsinde i of the leading Ife war-chiefs, together with through him the residuum of the Ife together with Oyo war-chiefs against Ajiboso the manly someone monarch of the Gbaguras. The
allies encamped at Idomapa together with Oorun was the scene of conflict, where the Gbaguras concentrated all their forces to oppose the Idomapas together with their allies.
The Gbagura Earth forces was swelled past times reinforcement from Ika, Owe Ikija, Iwokoto. The competition was furious together with i Ogaro a gallant war-chief greatly distinguished himself inwards the defense of Oorun. As long every bit he could remove hold his bow together with arrows, the enemy was kept at bay; but he cruel inwards an engagement, together with at the same fourth dimension famine had commenced its direful work, together with so the assailants successfully reduced the town.
As their fighting men had all fallen at Oorun the conquest of all the residuum of the Gbagura towns was complete. Oorun when captured was fired ; existence a town situated on a high hill, the conquerors were able past times the assistance of the low-cal to pursue their victory to the side past times side town which they found deserted, together with so on to the side past times side together with the side past times side until they reached Ojoho. The towns deserted together with overrun that dark were Oorun, Ijaiye- maja, Kosi-kosi, Ikerekuiwere, Ora, Ibadan. Ofa together with Oje were also deserted, but the conquerors did non know of this till iii days after every bit they lay exterior their line of march.
Oba Gbadebo I, Alake of Abeokuta (1892-1920 5th from left) with his Chiefs together with British colonial administrator. Picture taken inwards 1905
From Ibadan they followed upwards the conquest to Ojokodo Iwohaha, together with Eguoto; all these places were deserted together with plundered inwards i dark together with past times the dawn of solar daytime they were before Ojoho. Ojoho offered a stout resistance together with existence weary from long marches the conquerors retired to uncovering a resting place. Of all the towns overrun the previous night, Ibadan lonely they found non destroyed past times fire, together with so this marauding band hastily occupied it, the war-chiefs taking possession of whatever chemical compound they chose, together with their men with them together with thus Ibadan was over again re-peopled but non by
the owners of the town, but past times a composite band of marauders, consisting of Oyos, Ifes, Ijebus, together with some friendly Egbas, Maye a bold together with brave Ife chieftain existence their leader. Next to him was Labgsinde also an Ife, but, through his mother, of Oyo descent.
These 2 leaders were men of dissimilar grapheme together with opposite temperament. Maye was of an irritable temper, inwards manners oil together with domineering, together with never failed at all times to demonstrate his
contempt for the Oyos, chiefly because they were homeless refugees. At the caput of the Oyos was Lakanla a bold together with brave leader who lonely of all the Oyo war-chiefs could venture to opened upwards his rima oris when Maye spoke. Labosinde on the reverse was most agreeable together with rattling fatherly inwards his manners together with thus much respected past times all.
First role, third from left; Oba Adeniji Adele (1949–1964) of Lagos with (First role, fourth from left) Alake of Abeokuta, Oba Ladapo Samuel Ademola II (27 Sep 1920 - 27 Dec.1962). Picture taken circa 1950.
Our source: Nigerianostalgia
Ibadan directly became the headquarters of these marauders from which identify Ojoho was besieged together with at length taken. At this fourth dimension also Ikeiye Owe together with a component of Ika were deserted ; the Ika people escaping to Iwokoto. All these were Egba villages of the Gbagura section.
As stated inwards the preceding department in that location were some friendly Egba chiefs who joined the marauders at Idi Ogugun together with at Ipara, together with directly they were all living together at Ibadan. The most influential alongside them were : — Lamodi, Apati, Ogunbona, Oso, Gbewiri, together with Inakoju. Ogundipe, who afterwards became a notable main at Abeokuta was together with then but a blacksmith together with a individual soldier.
Rivalry was so rife alongside these diverse tribes that altercations were frequent, together with i led to a civil war. In a populace coming together held at the Isale Ijebu quarter of the town, Lamodi an Egba main shot Ege an influential Ife main downwards dead with a pistol, together with inwards the commotion which ensued Lamodi himself was slain. For fearfulness of the Ifes avenging the decease of Ege the Egbas withdrew inwards a body from Ibadan together with encamped on the other side of the Ona river, virtually 3 or 4 miles distant. Here also they were sick at ease together with after divination they sent for i Sodeke to live their leader, together with they escaped to Abeokuta together with then a farm hamlet of an Itoko man, together with a resting identify for traders to together with from the Oke Ogun districts. Sodeke was at the caput of this novel colony until his death. This was virtually the yr 1830 They were continually swelled past times Egba refugees from all parts of the province together with also past times Egba slaves who had deserted their masters. At Abeokuta the refugees kept together according to their solid unit of measurement distinctions, viz. : —
1. The Egba Agbeyin comprising Ake the main town, Ijeun, Kemta, Imo, Igbore, etc. These were nether the Alake every bit chief.
2. Egba Agura (or Gbagura) comprising Agura the main town Ilugun, Ibadan, Ojohg, Ika, etc., nether the Agura every bit chief.
3. Egba Oke Ona with Oko the main town. Ikija, Ikereku, Idomapa, Odo, Podo, etc., nether the Osile every bit chief.
Fela Kuti, Egba man
Egba people of Ogun State
Egba people who are the original founders of the metropolis of Abeokuta which they part with Owu people (later arrivals), had an chance of their terra firma also settled on past times missionaries (in the 1840s) past times Sierra Leone Creole (Saro, who were Nigerians together with others Africans descendants repatriated from diaspora dorsum to Sierra Leone) who later became prominent every bit missionaries together with every bit businessmen. It must live emphasized that Abeokuta’s success every bit the uppercase of the Egbas together with every bit a link inwards theLagos - Abeokuta oil-palm merchandise led to state of war with Dahomey (now Republic of Benin Republic). In the battle at Abeokuta inwards 1851,the Egbas were aided past times the missionaries together with also armed past times the British. Thus, they were able to defeat King Gezo’sDahomey Army that was unique together with famous inwards the history of West Africa for its mutual exercise of using women warriors. Another Dahomey onset was repulsed inwards 1864. Troubles inwards the 1860s with the British inwards Lagos led the Egbas to closed the merchandise routes to the coast together with they expelled its missionaries together with European traders at virtually 1867.
Egba people are direct descendants of Orafiyan, boy together with successor of Oduduwa, the progenitor of Yoruba people. They were nether a federation of iii groups-Ake, Okeona together with Gbagura scattered over 150 towns together with including the modern metropolis of Ibadan, Oyo together with Ijaye. Egba people were parts of the famous pre-colonial African Oyo empire (Kingdom) inwards Nigeria.
Up until the 18th Century, the Egba people lived inwards a cluster of villages or so a identify known every bit Orile-Itoko, every bit a dependent champaign territory of the old Oyo Empire, which was i of the strongest empires that e'er existed inwards West Africa. Just similar the Roman Empire, the Oyo empire was so rigid that it easily quelled whatever shape of uprising or rebellion from whatever of its subject-states. It was even so shocking when a picayune known, but brave warrior, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, arose from alongside the Egba people together with led the land inwards an uprising against the Oyo Army’s continuous business of their land, the starting fourth dimension inwards the history of political together with armed forces confrontation with the Oyo kingdom. The defeated the Oyo Earth forces non entirely liberated the Egba people from the stronghold of the Oyo kingdom, it also signaled the disintegration of the all-mighty empire together with the little land of Egba ceased to live a colony of the Oyo empire together with became a costless province piece Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, upwards to this day, is regarded every bit the manly someone parent of the Egba people for his outstanding roles inwards the people’s liberation.
Fela Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti;[1] xv Oct 1938 – 2 August 1997), Egba-Yoruba homo also known every bit Fela Anikulapo Kuti or only Fela, was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, human rights activist, together with political maverick
However, the weakening powerfulness of the Oyo Empire every bit a effect of continuous disintegration of the kingdom together with ascent of sometime colonies similar Ibadan, Ijebu together with the likes coupled with the boom of the slave trade, exposed the land to frequent attacks from Ibadan every bit good every bit Dahomey, some other large empire with its headquarters inwards today’s Republic of Benin Republic.
Egba man, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, lawyer, interim President of Nigeria inwards 1993
Thus, betwixt 1825 together with 1830 when it became expedient that the Nation of Egba tin no longer withstand the frequent attacks of the slave hunters from Ibadan together with Dahomey, the Egba people, on the directives of the Ifa Oracle, was led past times main Shodeke, on a long but tortuous journeying that brought them to the western side of the massive outcrop of granite rocks called “OLUMO”, that is “Oluwa fimo” important God puts an halt to our wandering. The rattling betoken the oracle asked them to relocate to.
HRH Alake of Egbaland, Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo & Helen Oketunji (Publisher, Vintage magazine, UK)
Historically Egba people used to people without kings, hence the mutual saying:"“Egba ko l’olu, gbogbo nwon ni nse bi Oba” (Egbas receive got no king, they are all of them similar masters) “Olu wa’ l’Oyo” (The manly someone monarch of Oyo). That is to say, they receive got no manly someone monarch that rules. The manly someone monarch is acknowledged every bit the caput of the government, but entirely every bit a figure head. More marked was this when they lived inwards carve upwards townships before their concentration at Abeokuta. The Ogbonis constitute the town council, together with they are also the executive, together with fifty-fifty the " king" was dependent champaign to them. The same dominion holds proficient fifty-fifty at Abeokuta for each township. Amongst the highest Ogboni titles are : —
The Aro, Oluwo, Apena, Ntowa, Bala, Basala Baki, Asipa, Asalu, Lajila, Apesi, Esinkin Ola, Bayimbo, Odgfin. The warriors rank side past times side after the Ogbonis, the Balogun together with the Seriki existence the most important. The Egbas receive got been important members of ruling political parties, music, art, feminism advocacy, liberty together with republic together with at the forefront of Human Rights campaigns. In fact, they receive got contributed significantly to the political evolution of Nigeria together with the world.
Professor Akinwande Oluwole "Wole" Soyinka, an Egba-Yoruba homo together with a Nigerian playwright together with poet. He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize inwards Literature, the starting fourth dimension African to live so honored.
Osoba, Dimeji Bankole together with others cannot live forgotten inwards the political history together with political evolution of Nigerian.
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (August 24, 1937 – July 7, 1998), Egba-Yoruba homo ofttimes referred to every bit M. K. O. Abiola, was a pop Nigerian Yoruba businessman, publisher, pol together with aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan. He ran for the presidency inwards 1993, together with is widely regarded every bit the presumed winner of the inconclusive election since no official concluding results were announced. He died inwards 1998, after existence denied victory when the entire election results were dubiously annulled past times the preceding armed forces president Ibrahim Babangida because of alleged evidence that they were corrupt together with unfair.
The Egbas tin live distinguished from other Yoruba grouping with how their facial tribal marks are cut. The Egba facial grade is known every bit the Abaja Oro, i.e. the upright Abaja is distinctive of the Egbas. They consist of iii perpendicular lines each virtually 3 inches long on each cheek. The younger generations, however, receive got their lines rather faint or of shorter lengths indistinguishable from the Pele.
Egba adult woman inwards traditional dress
On clothing, Egba men have on trousers, kembe/sokoto for down; and the top is Buba together with Agbada; cap, Fila (a beti aja). Their women wear: Down, Wrapper, Iro; Top, Buba; Headgear, Gele; Others – Ipele – Piece of stuff placed on the shoulder or wrapped or so the waist.
Their staple nutrient Food is Lafu (White Amala) together with Ewedu soup; Wara, (Cottage Cheese Drink)
The Egba people receive got their ain National Anthem every bit a grouping of people. Below is the anthem:
Egba Anthem
Lori oke o'un petele Ibe l'agbe bi mi si o Ibe l'agbe to mi d'agba oo Ile ominira
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
Abeokuta ilu Egba Un ko nii gbagbe e re Un o gbe o l'eke okan mi Bii ilu odo oya Emi o f'Abeokuta sogo Un o duro l'ori Olumo Maayo l'oruko Egba ooo Emi omoo Lisabi E e
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
Emi o maayo l'ori Olumo Emi o s'ogoo yi l'okan mi Wipe ilu olokiki o L'awa Egba n gbe E e
Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo
There are some other songs that the egba people sing, hither is i of them:
Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa, Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa
sa wa Egba lo ni jesu o
Here goes some other curt one
Awa lo bit abeokuta, ilu rere ilu olola
ilu to duro lase oluwa, Egba omo lisabi.
An “egungun'' festival inwards Ijaiye-Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital
Geography together with Economy
Abeokuta lies inwards the fertile province of wooded savanna, the surface of which is broken past times masses of greyness granite. It is spread over an extensive area, existence surrounded past times mud walls eighteen miles inwards extent.
Palm-oil, timber, rubber, yams, rice, cassava, maize, cotton, other fruits, together with shea butter are the main articles of trade. It is a key export location for cocoa, palm products, fruit, together with kola nuts. Both rice together with cotton fiber were introduced past times the missionaries inwards the 1850′s together with receive got larn integral parts of the economy, along with the dye indigo. It lies below the Olumo Rock, dwelling to several caves together with shrines. The town depends on the Oyan River Dam for its H2O supply.
Abeokuta is the headquarters of the Federal Ogun-Oshin River Basin Authority, which is responsible for evolution of terra firma together with H2O resources for Lagos, Ogun, together with Oyo states. Included inwards this are irrigation, food-processing, together with electrification.
Local industries include but are non express to fruit canning plants, plastics, breweries, sawmills, together with an aluminum products factory. South of town are the Aro Granite Quarries.
Abeokuta, Olumu Rock
Language
Egba people speaks North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect of the Yoruboid languages which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication phylum. Apart from Egba people of Abeokuta, NYW dialect is also spoken inwards Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun together with Lagos (Eko) areas.
Ransome kuti family
North-West Yoruba is historically a component of the Ọyọ empire. In NWY dialects, Proto-Yoruba /gh/ (the velar fricative [ɣ]) together with /gw/ receive got merged into /w/; the upper vowels /i ̣/ together with /ụ/ were raised together with merged with /i/ together with /u/, exactly every bit their nasal counterparts, resulting inwards a vowel organisation with 7 oral together with iii nasal vowels. Ethnographically, traditional authorities is based on a sectionalization of ability betwixt civil together with state of war chiefs; lineage together with descent are unilineal together with agnatic.
History
The story of Abeokuta, the abode of the Egbas, started with their liberation from the sovereignty together with over Lord-ship of the Alafin of Oyo Empire, to which the Egbas hitherto belonged.
The Liberation took identify betwixt 1775 together with 1780, nether the leadership of Lisabi, a resident of Igbehin, but who was born inwards Itoku. He organized a motion nether the advert of Egbe “Aaro” Tradition mutual Aid society.
Lisabi later used the mutual Aid assistance to costless the Egba past times organizing the simultaneous killing of the Ajales or the Ilaris inwards all Egba towns, inwards 1780, starting from Igbehin. In all to a greater extent than than 600 llaris or Ajeles were wiped out inwards i day. Ilaris the representative of the Alafin of Oyo together with collectors of the tribute paid to the coffer of Alafin from all territories nether the Oyo Empire.
The Ajales or Ilaris inwards general, behaved similar an Army of Occupation inwards the places they administered. Their Tyrannical rules grade them out every bit musical instrument of oppression together with suppression of the people. It was this Authoritarian dominion of the Alafin together with reckless life’s vogue of this Ilaris inwards Egbaland that threw upwards Lisabi together with is Peers who were resolve to choose an halt to the evil dominion at all cost. The adoption of the universal pop Aaro organisation of cooperation past times the “Egbe Ologun” (Arms Bearers Club) was the strategy Lisabi used to plot against the Ilaris inwards his Igbehin town. All the other Egba town rose together with killed the Ilaris inwards their midst.
As shortly every bit the tidings reaches metropolitan Oyo the Oloyo wasted no fourth dimension inwards dispatching an Army to crunch the Egbe Rebellion. But Lisabi divisional anticipated inwards the Reprisal an had factored it into his conception the Army of vengeance was routed together with the liberty of the Egbas from the yoke of the Alafin was sealed. The fourth dimension to which this Episode inwards Egba is to relate was betwixt 1775 an 1780. The menstruum betwixt 1780 together with 1828 inwards the history of Egba was post-Lisabi era inwards the Egba forest.
One would receive got idea that having been liberated from the vice similar grip of imperialisms the Egba were non given to serve whatever monarch, fifty-fifty though they receive got an Oba, together with their constitution was monarchy but would strive to sustain their novel found liberty past times forging stronger cooperative relation alongside them selves. That was non to live some factors which were inherent inwards their psychological brand upwards shortly re-surface i time the focused of their un commons unity (somehow superimpose past times Lisabi forcefulness of character) was missing the internal squabbles together with disaffection alongside the people were ofttimes fertilized past times the inter-personal dissention alongside the leaders who were mainly chiefs.
Around 1829, Lamodi of Igbehin together with Balogun of the Egba, living inwards Maye’s military camp inwards Ibadan, decided that the Egba should uncovering a way of escape from Maye’s bondage. The Egbas had heard virtually Abeokuta before on inwards their yell for for a identify with proficient safety to settle in. they sent main Sobookun, the Baamokun of Ilugun, together with others to choose a handful of world together with the effect was propitious.
History revealed that the Egbas did non larn to Abeokuta at the same time. The starting fourth dimension batch to arrived Abeokuta consisted of Egba Alake, Oke Ona, together with Gbagura, inwards that order. Later Olufakun led the Owu to Abeokuta, piece others followed. Lamodi lost is married adult woman inwards an epic battle piece trying to preclude his starting fourth dimension son, Osota, from existence captured past times Maye’s army, who were pursuing the Egba. But before he died, he handed over the drape of leadership Sodoke. The seriki of the Egbas, Sodeke, inwards 1830 led the Egba Alake into Abeokuta. Balogun Olunloye, the Balogun Ilugun, led Ogba Oke-Ona whilst Oluwole Agbo, Balogun Ojo Gbagura, led the Gbagura to Abeokuta, likes Joshua inwards the bible. Sodeke of Iporo finally led the Egbas to Abeokuta inwards 1830.
It was revealed that an Iloko main named Idowu Liperu had before been living at the settlement. He had cross the Ogun River together with settles on a farmland, were iii hunters, namely Jibulu, Ose together with Olunle joined him. Unlike, Liperu, who erected a solid with the assistance of the together with then Olubara Lafa the iii hunters lodge inwards caves nether the Olumo Rock. It was them who told the Egba delegate who came to choose soil samples virtually the Olumo Rock.
Later, Adagba together with other displace to the stone to bring together Liperu together with the iii hunters, who had settle there. Adagba was a brave man, who had is farmland located rattling closed to olumo rock. The settlement was called “Oko Adagba,” the other homo for Abeokuta piece Olumo Rock took his advert from it existence natural furnished with apartment. “Olumo “means built past times the Lord.” Other historians maintained that the important of olumo is “Oluwa Fimo” important God pose an halt to our hostility against the Egbas together with their suffering.” Abeokuta is also known every bit “Abe Olumo”.
After the demise of main Sodeke, Abeokuta has no leaders for quite a issue of years. The direction of the town was left inwards the hands of chiefs similar Ogunbona, the Balogun of Ikija, Okukene the Sagbua of Ake; Someye, the seriki who later became Bashorun who succeeded Apati, Bada of Kemta together with others.
The Egbas realized that they are non united every bit they had been when Sodeke brought them together. The idea of having an Oba came to them together with the lot cruel on Okukene, the Sabua of Ake together with caput of Egba Ogboni – an industrious woodcarver. He installed the Alake of Abeokuta on August 8, 1854. Oba Okukene’s reign witnessed the advancement of Christianity, commerce together with the advent of European merchants inwards Abeokuta.
He died inwards 1862. An interregnum of virtually 7 years elapsed betwixt the decease of Okukene together with the installation of some other Oba inwards the someone of Ademola 1 – who reigned betwixt 1869 together with 1877. He was succeeded past times Oyekan who reigned betwixt 1879 to 1881. It was the plough of Luwaji to reign betwixt 1885 to1889. Osokalu ruled betwixt 1891 together with 1898. Egba became a land during Oba Osokalu. Gbadebo 1, ruled betwixt 1889 to1920. Sir Ladapo Ademola II reigned from 1920-1962. Oba Adeshina Gbadebo II reigned from 1963 to 1971. Oba (Dr.) Oyebade Lidepe ruled betwixt 1972 together with the yr 2005.
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukene IV, born fourteen September 1943, was elected the Alake of Egbaland on 2 August 2005 together with reigns till date. He is from Laarun Ruling House, a grandson of the 6th Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, who ruled from 188 to 1920.
Economy
Abeokuta is an agro-based marketplace topographic point with little together with middle flat agro industries. The people create agricultural products such every bit Yams, Cassava, Rice, Corn, Palm oil, Poultry, Cottons together with vegetables. It also serves every bit an exporting betoken for cocoa, palm create together with kolanuts.
Due to the rocky terrain of some parts of the city, it has for many years been dwelling to a issue of quarry industries.Although, cotton fiber was introduced past times the Missionaries inwards the 1850’s, Cotton weaving, pottery together with necktie together with dye (Adire) are all traditional crafts of the Abeokuta people.
The metropolis is reputed to live the uppercase of the necktie together with dye manufacture inwards Nigeria. The centre of Adire making together with marketing inwards Abeokuta is at the pop Itoku marketplace topographic point at Kenta.
“The dyes were initially extracted from grasses together with leaves which were soaked for a issue of days inwards monastic tell to extract the dye from it. However, when the Malian traders came to Nigeria inwards the early on component of the 20th Century, they introduced chemic dyes which came inwards varying colours. This evolution gave a boast to the manufacture together with made the procedure of adire making a lot faster inwards a bid to encounter the growing need for it, says Mrs Malaolu, an adire merchant.
Political structure
The convention which the Egba people operated since 1830 was never codified until 1897 when the EGBA UNITED GOVERNMENT became structured. Under the convention, the quarters were broadly grouped nether 4 natural rulers namely:
The ALAKE of AKE, the OSILE of OKE-ONA, the AGURA of GBAGURA, together with the OLOWU of OWU
His Royal Highness Oba Gbedegbo I,1898 - 1920
The ALAKE who was accepted every bit the paramount leader assumes the title: THE ALAKE OF EGBALAND, who existence the chairman of the other Egba kings, represents the involvement of all the Egbas inwards all aspects that concern the Kingdom.
The amalgamation of the Egba people inwards Abeokuta shared political powers inwards varying degrees nether the next broad classifications:
The OGBONIs - the SENATE
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs who prosecuted wars
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs who dominated the Economic sector
The OLODEs - the Hunting Chiefs whose purpose was modest but nevertheless significant
Next to the natural rulers, the OGBONI chiefs constituted the Executive Council inwards the direction of the State. Their advice was highly valued past times the natural rulers who invariably consulted them inwards confidence before taking whatever major decisions. The Ogbonis adjudicated over cases involving murder, adultery, divorce, recovery of debts, etc.
Alake of Abeokuta (Egbaland) from left:Oba Ladapo_Ademola II, his manly someone parent HRH. Oba Gbadegbo II together with right,secretary
The Court, their give-and-take was police push clitoris correct from the settlement of the Egba inwards Abeokuta, until much later after the Adubi War.
They encounter regularly to deliberate over the affairs of their communities. For a citizen to discountenance a summons from Ogbonis was considered outright treason. They earned their income through fines together with gifts or tributes inwards the shape of nutrient or produce.
The amalgamation of the Egba people inwards Abeokuta shared political powers inwards varying degrees nether the next broad classifications:
The OGBONIs - the SENATE
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs who prosecuted wars
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs who dominated the Economic sector
The OLODEs - the Hunting Chiefs whose purpose was modest but nevertheless significant
The War Chiefs - the OLOGUNs -were responsible for executing wars declared past times the natural ruler or considered necessary at their ain discretions. They were expected to live militarily prepared all the time, either to wage the Obas state of war or to ward off attacks from invaders. Sometimes, the War Chiefs wielded much ability which could constitute a threat to the safety of tenure of Oba himself.
Chief Olusegun Osoba the Akinrogun of Egbaland,and Aremo Awujale of Ijebuland, journalist, together with sometime MD Daily Times of Nigeria, was (born July xv 1939) at an Egba settlement inwards Osogbo called Egbatedo to Pa together with Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba of blessed Memory. He was elected on 2 dissimilar occasions every bit Governor of Ogun State starting fourth dimension from Jan 1992 until Nov 1993 on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The PARAKOYIs - the Commercial Chiefs superintended over matters of commerce together with merchandise inwards general. They were responsible for the smoothen running of the commercial life of the community together with offered economical advice to the state.
The OLODEs - the Hunters’ Chiefs looked after the affairs of farming together with hunting inwards peace time.
During wars, they performed Para-military duties.
Generally, the Egbas had dandy abide by for their Chiefs together with each of the 4 groupings commanded dandy abide by from the entire citizenry. This was why whatever someone with the correct agency together with inclination aspired to obtain a chieftaincy championship past times whatever agency possible. H5N1 adult woman was normally included every bit a Chief inwards each grouping to stand upwards for the involvement of the womenfolk.
The 3 Egba ruling traditional Kings
Owiwi war- Between the Egbas together with the Remos inwards 1832
Oluyole war- This state of war was betwixt the Egbas together with Oyo inwards 1834-1835
Iperu war- This was fought inwards 1836
1st Dahomey war- Between the Egbas together with the Dahomey inwards 1844-1845
2d Dahomey war- inwards 1851
third Dahomey war- inwards 1853
fourth Dahomey war- inwards 1864
Olu of Ilaro Yewa (Egbado) Ilaro town, western Ogun state, South Western Nigeria. Located on the sometime merchandise route from the towns of the empire of Oyo to the port of Porto-Novo (now the uppercase of Benin), xl miles (64 km) southwest, it was established past times the belatedly 18th century every bit the uppercase together with main merchandise centre of the Egbado people (a subgroup of the Yoruba). With the decline of Oyo inwards the early on 19th century, the Egbado kingdom was raided for slaves past times the Dahomeyans until it was absorbed inwards the 1840s together with '50s past times the to a greater extent than powerful Egba kingdom at Abeokuta (29 miles [47 km] northeast). As a dependent champaign town, Ilaro served the Egba every bit a trading postal service on the western route from Lagos to Ibadan. In the 1860s European missionaries arrived together with established the Yoruba Anglican Mission inwards Ilaro. Following the 1890 delineation of colonial boundaries past times the French together with the British, the Egbado, who felt oppressed past times Egba rule, asked for British protection together with command of their territory. H5N1 British armed forces garrison was built inwards Ilaro inwards the same year. Modern Ilaro is a collecting betoken for cocoa, palm oil together with kernels, kola nuts, vegetables (especially rice together with okra), together with fruits grown inwards the surrounding area. Yams, cassava, together with corn (maize) are also cultivated past times the town's farmers. Cotton weaving together with dyeing (with locally grown indigo) are traditional industries. There are deposits of limestone (used past times a cement flora at Ewekoro, xiii miles [21 km] east-northeast) together with phosphate inwards the vicinity. Ilaro is the site of a federal polytechnic college. It is located at the halt of a spur on the Lagos-Nguru railway together with lies at a junction of local roads. Population 42,410 (1992 Estimate).
Egba- Abeokuta town, capital of Ogun state, South Western Nigeria. It is situated on the due east banking company of the Ogun River, or so a grouping of rocky outcroppings that ascent to a higher identify the surrounding wooded savanna. It lies on the main railway (1899) from Lagos, 48 miles (78 km) south, together with on the older body route from Lagos to Ibadan; it also has route connections to Ilaro, Shagamu, Iseyin, together with Kétou (Benin). Abeokuta ("refuge alongside rocks") was founded inwards virtually 1830 past times Sodeke (Shodeke), a hunter together with leader of the Egba refugees who fled from the disintegrating Oyo Empire. The town was also settled past times missionaries (in the 1840s) together with past times Sierra Leone Creoles, who later became prominent every bit missionaries together with every bit businessmen. Abeokuta's success every bit the uppercase of the Egbas, and every bit a link inwards the Lagos-Ibadan oil-palm merchandise led to wars with Dahomey, (now Benin). In the battle at Abeokuta inwards 1851, the Egba, aided past times the missionaries together with armed past times the British, defeated King Gezo's Dahomeyan Earth forces (unique inwards the history of western Africa for its mutual exercise of using women warriors). Another Dahomeyan onset was repulsed inwards 1864. Troubles inwards the 1860s with the British inwards Lagos led the Egba to closed the merchandise routes to the coast together with to expel (1867) its missionaries together with European traders. to a greater extent than | enlarge Osile of Oke-Ona After the Yoruba civil wars (1877-93), inwards which Abeokuta opposed Ibadan, the Egba Alake ("king") signed an alliance with the British governor, Sir Gilbert Carter, that recognized the independence of the Egba United Government (1893-1914). In 1914 the kingdom was incorporated into the newly amalgamated British Colony together with Protectorate of Nigeria. The Abeokuta riots of 1918 protested both the levying of taxes together with the "indirect rule" policy of Lord Frederick Lugard, the British governor-general, which made the Alake, formerly primus inter pares ("first alongside equals"), the supreme traditional leader to the detriment of the other quarter chiefs. Modern Abeokuta is an agricultural merchandise centre (rice, yams, cassava, corn [maize], palm oil together with kernels, cotton, fruits, vegetables) together with an exporting betoken for cocoa, palm produce, fruits, together with kola nuts. to a greater extent than | enlarge Agura of Gbagura .
Alake of Abeokuta (Egbaland) Oba Ladapo Ademola II inwards London, June 1937.
Creator: Hay Wrightson(1874 - 1949), Photographer.
Thanks to:National Portrait Gallery
Source:National Portrait Gallery.
Location:London,11 June 1937
Abeokuta was a walled town, together with relics of the old wall silent exist. Notable buildings include the Ake (the residence of the Alake), Centenary Hall (1930), together with several churches together with mosques. Secondary schools together with primary teachers' colleges at Abeokuta are supplemented past times the University of Agriculture (formerly the University of Lagos Abeokuta campus), which specializes inwards science, agriculture, together with technology, together with the Ogun State Polytechnic (1979; a college). Pop. (1996 est.) 427,400.. Rice together with cotton fiber were introduced past times the missionaries inwards the 1850s, together with cotton fiber weaving together with dyeing (with locally grown indigo) are directly traditional crafts of the town. to a greater extent than | enlarge Olubara of Ibara Abeokuta is the headquarters for the Federal Ogun-Oshin River Basin Authority with programs to harness terra firma together with H2O resources for Lagos, Ogun, together with Oyo states for rural development. Irrigation, food-processing, together with electrification projects are included. Local manufacture is express but directly includes fruit-canning plants, a plastics factory, a brewery, sawmills, together with an aluminum-products factory. South of the town are the Aro granite quarries, which provide edifice materials for much of southern Nigeria, together with a huge, modern cement flora at Ewekoro (18 miles [29 km] south).
His Royal Highness Samuel Ademola II, seventh Alake of Abeokuta with his fille at the Methodist Missionary Society
Traditional Council Members
1. His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo The Alalake of Egbaland President
2. His Royal Majesty (Dr) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso The Oshile of Oke-Ona Egba
3. His Royal Majesty Oba Halidu Laloko Sobekun The Agura of Gbagura
4. His Royal Majesty Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu The Olowu of Owu
5. His Royal Majesty Oba Moshood A. Oyede The Olota of Ota
6. His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) J. O. Omolade Olubara of Ibara
7. His Royal Majesty Oba N. A. Adekanbi The Olofin of Isheri
8. His Royal Majesty Oba (Apostle) M. A. A. Olabode The Omola of Imala
9. His Royal Majesty Oba A. O. Oyero The Oniro of Iro
10. His Royal Majesty Oba Michael A. Fatona The Elewo Ilewo
11. His Royal majesty Oba J. O. O. Tella The Onisaga of Isaga
12. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Oloyede The Onijale of Ijale
13. His Royal Majesty Oba S. O. Fasina Onikooko of Kooko
14. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Ojugbele The Onilogbo of Ilogbo
15. His Royal Majesty Oba S. A. Oladipupo The Olu of Ifo
16. His Royal Majesty Oba A. K. Akamo The Olu of Itori
17. His Royal Majesty Oba F. O. Makinde The Olu of Igbein
18. His Royal Majesty Oba Onitele of Itele - (Vacant)
HRM, OSILE OKE-ONA EGBA, OBA ADEDAPO ADEWALE TEJUOSHO
To live candid Abeokuta is the most influential alongside other Yoruba towns
Abeokuta was founded inwards 1830 past times warriors like:
LAMODI-Who initiated the displace to ABEOKUTA was together with then the BALOGUN of EGBA,he died on the way together with never made it to the promised terra firma ABEOKUTA.
SODEKE-Who was together with then the SERIKI of EGBA led the fleeing EGBAs to ABEOKUTA inwards 1830 after the decease of LAMODI.
SODEKE’s manly someone parent was from Iporo but his mother,EFUWON,was from Gbagura.
THE CROWNING of EGBA OBAs
eighth August,1854 -OKUKENU who held the championship of Sagbua,the postal service of headship of the Ogbonis,was crowned the ALAKE of AKE.Losii,an Ake homo was the starting fourth dimension selection but he died before he could live installed.
In 1855 - the Owu followed conform past times crowning PAWU every bit OLOWU of OWU
1870 - The AGURA was crowned
1897 - OLOKO (now OSILE) was crowned
14th April,1952 – OLUBARA, Oba Samuel Adetola Adesina Lalubu the 2d was the starting fourth dimension to live crowned inwards Abeokuta Town.
( history revealed that in that location had been 7 OLUBARAs who were crowned at Ibara Orile)
Egba United Government
HISTORY OF ABEOKUTA
Wars fought together with won past times the Egbas
Owiwi war- Between the Egbas together with the Remos inwards 1832
Oluyole war- This state of war was betwixt the Egbas together with Oyo inwards 1834-1835
Iperu war- This was fought inwards 1836
1st Dahomey war- Between the Egbas together with the Dahomey inwards 1844-1845
2d Dahomey war- inwards 1851
third Dahomey war- inwards 1853
fourth Dahomey war- inwards 1864
Alake of Abeokuta (Egbaland) Oba Ladapo Ademola II, ninth August, 1945
THE ALAKE of EGBALAND
The OLOWU of OWU
The AGURA of GBAGURA
The OSILE of OKE-ONA
The OLUBARA of IBARA
The Alake of Egbaland HRH Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo Okukenu IV
The Olowu of OWUAbeokuta HRH Oba Adegboyega Olusanya Dosumu The Amororo II
The Agura of Gbagura HRH Oba Halidu Laloko Sobekun II
The Osile of Oke-Ona HRH Oba Adedapo Tejuoso Karunwi III
The olubara of Ibara HRH Oba Jacob Omolade Lafa II
In depth History of Egba People
The Egbas are a little offshoot of the Yorubas Proper, who occupy the south-eastern districts of that province. They origin- ally occupied the expanse bounded past times for certain imaginary lines drawn, say, from Ijaye to encounter the Ogun River at Olokemeji, together with along it to its mouth, together with some other from the same betoken via Ibadan to the due west of Jebu Remo downwards to the coast. They lived inwards hamlets together with villages for the most, component independently of i another, together with never nether i rule. All the principal families of the Egbas delineate their root from Oyo, hence the mutual proverb " Egbas who receive got non their root inwards Oyo are slaves," i.e., belong to the conquered aboriginal population. Most of the chiefs sprang from the Esos of Oyo. It would seem together with then that during the wars of conquest, a issue of these war-like Esos, nether the leadership of the King's half-brother, was detached from the main army, carrying their arms to those regions where they after settled, inwards the immediate neighbourhood of the Owns. Abeokuta, every bit nosotros directly know it, of course of teaching had no existence then. Each of what is directly called the " townships " was a carve upwards hamlet or hamlet with its ain main ; they were loosely grouped into iii divisions, but rather independent of i another, but all acknowledging the King's blood brother (the Alake) every bit their Primus. They were :
1. Egba Agbeyin. These were the Egbas proper, together with nearest the I jebu Remos. The principal towns were : Ake, the main town, Ijeun, Kemta, Iporo, Igbore, etc.
Egba adult woman Chief Mrs. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, sometime Chairman, UBA
2. Egba Oke Ona, i.e., those situated close the banks of the River Odo Ona. Oko the main town, Ikereku, Ikija, Idomapa, Odo, Podo, etc. Their main is called the Osile.
3. Egba Agura or Gbagura : these were situated close the Oyo districts, together with indeed they contain genuine Oyos inwards large numbers, together with to a greater extent than ofttimes than non they partake of their characteristics largely, hence
they are nick-named " Oyos alongside Egbas." The principal towns were : Agura the chief, Ilugun, Ibadan, Ifaye, Ika, Ojo, Ilawo, etc.
Egba wedding
The Egbas were on the whole few inwards number, together with occupied a express territory ; this tin rattling good live proved past times the fact, that after a menstruum of to a greater extent than than one-half a century, they receive got been compelled past times stress of circumstances to alive together within i wall, together with inwards spite of large accessions from other tribes, they silent shape but a unmarried large town. Situated, every bit they were then, far from the centre of life together with activity, they were picayune idea of. They had no carve upwards manly someone monarch because all the principal chiefs together with distinguished personages were component bearers of the Alafin, hence the mutual saying, " Egba ko I'olu, gbogbo nwon ni nse howdy Oba " (Egbas receive got no King, they are all of them similar masters) " Olu wa' royo " (The King is at Oyo). It may live noted, that every kid born to a reigning Alake must receive got an Oyo facial grade ; together with that is so to this day. In early on times the Alake ranks alongside the junior members of the Royal Family ; for that argue in that location has never been a distinct royal solid unit of measurement arnong the Egbas. The main rulers inwards each sectionalization were normally elected (by divination) from whatever i of the 153 townships ; an Ikija homo for illustration has been " manly someone monarch " of Itesi, an Ijeun homo an Alake. In this abide by also the Gbaguras differ from the others.
In later times, at Abeokuta, i Jibode, a wealthy trader together with traveller, who vainly endeavoured to obtain the Primacy of Ake, left children together with grandchildren who eventually attained the coveted position, which was a singular illustration of to a greater extent than than i fellow member of a solid unit of measurement becoming an Alake, but together with then they were all born inwards dissimilar townships.
The Osile is said to live an unfortunate championship because, to a greater extent than than whatever of the other divisions, the Oke Ona people were to a greater extent than ptone to slaughter human victims; everytime the Osile entered the Ogboni
house, he must walk on the blood of a manly someone victim, together with when he comes out on that of a woman someone ! Also that Osiles never perish a natural decease ; when their excesses became unbearable they were normally stoned to decease ; hence the appellation of their main town, " Oko " — i.e., a pelting stone. For that argue the Egbas were reluctant to resuscitate the championship at Abeokuta until Governor McCallum of Lagos inwards 1897 on the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee ordered the Egbas together with others to reorganise their government, together with fill upwards up vacant titles.
Since the devastation of the City of Owu (as nosotros shall consider below) together with the unification of the Egba villages, the Owus receive got domiciled alongside them. Hence the so-called Four United Kings of the
Egbas : although Owu is non Egba.
Justice Adetokunboh Ademola (Chief Justice of Nigeria), with his father, Oba Ladapo Samuel Ademola (Alake of Egba Land)
Other version
After the autumn of Owu, together with the penalization inflicted upon some Egba towns for secretly befriending
the beleaguered city, the military camp at Idi Ogugun broke up, together with the leading Ife together with Ijebu generals returned dwelling to their respective masters, but the residuum of the allied armies with the Oyo refugees
were invited past times the Ijebus to Ipara, a town of Ijebu Remo. Making this identify their headquarters, these restless bands of marauders found business for their arms inwards conquering together with subjugating several towns inwards Ijebu Remo nether the Awujale of Ijebu Ode, viz Ode, Iperu, Ogere together with Makun.
As stated inwards the preceding department in that location were some friendly Egba chiefs who joined the marauders at Idi Ogugun together with at Ipara, together with directly they were all living together at Ibadan. The most influential alongside them were : — Lamgdi, Apati, Ogunbona, Oso, Gbewiri, together with Inakoju. Ogundipe, who afterwards became a notable main at Abeokuta was together with then but a blacksmith together with a individual soldier.
Egba homo Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, QC, SAN (December 16, 1920 – March 26, 2005) was a prominent Nigerian lawyer who was the starting fourth dimension Nigerian to larn a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In the 1950s, he was a fellow member of the Action Group together with after became the government minister for local authorities together with Justice. He was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association inwards 1959, the association is the leading body for lawyers inwards the country. He left politics inwards the 1960s, every bit a effect of the political crisis inwards the Western Region of Nigeria.
Pretext was shortly found for waging state of war with the Egbas who were together with then living inwards little villages scattered all over the expanse betwixt Ipara together with Ibadan. Several expeditions were made from their
base of operations at Ipara, together with Iporo, Eruwon, Oba, Itoko, Itesi, Imo, Ikereku, Itoku, etc., were taken.
The next are the names of the distinguished war-chiefs inwards this stimulate : — Oyo chiefs — Oluyedun, Lakanle, Oluyole, Adelakun, Opeagbe, Abitiko, Yismati, Oluoye, Koseiko, Abidogun, Osun, Laleitan, Bankole, Fadeyi Ogani-ija, Agbeni, etc. All these chiefs joined the allied Earth forces every bit individual soldiers, but the fortunes of state of war raised them to positions of dandy distinction.
Notwithstanding this, they were looked downwards upon past times the Ife together with Ijebu leaders nether whose auspices they joined the state of war against Owu, together with had no vocalization inwards their councils. But they were shortly to demonstrate their superiority.
His Royal Highness Oba Gbedegbo I, 1898 - 1920.
Creator: Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir, 1858-1927 -- Photographer
Source:Britain across the seas: Africa; a history together with description of the British Empire inwards Africa.
Ife chiefs — Maye (the generalissimo inwards the absence of Singusin) Ogugu, Derin-Okiin, Labgsinde, Ogini, Aregbe, Olufadi, Degoke, Kugbayigbe, Oluygde, Epo, Kudayisi.
Ijebu chiefs — Kalejaiye, Amoibo, Osunlalu, Oguade, Argwgsanle, etc.
Rich with the booty of these expeditions, together with finding no fresh fields of functioning for their arms they decided to disband the army. The Ijebu state of war chiefs returned dwelling together with the Ifes laid out to render past times way of Oorun ; the Oyos who had nowhere to go to accompanied them. There were thousands of Oyos already inwards Ife districts.
At Oorun (a Gbagura town) they found fresh occupation for their arms when the men of that identify refused them a passage. Another circumstance also occurred which hastened the siege of
Oorun together with the autumn of the remaining Egba townships.
H5N1 dispute arose betwixt the people of Idomapa a neighbouring town together with the Gbaguras virtually territorial limits which at length broke out into state of war together with Oluwole the manly someone monarch of Idomapa who was the
weaker of the 2 combatants asked the assistance of Labgsinde i of the leading Ife war-chiefs, together with through him the residuum of the Ife together with Oyo war-chiefs against Ajiboso the manly someone monarch of the Gbaguras. The
allies encamped at Idomapa together with Oorun was the scene of conflict, where the Gbaguras concentrated all their forces to oppose the Idomapas together with their allies.
The Gbagura Earth forces was swelled past times reinforcement from Ika, Owe Ikija, Iwokoto. The competition was furious together with i Ogaro a gallant war-chief greatly distinguished himself inwards the defense of Oorun. As long every bit he could remove hold his bow together with arrows, the enemy was kept at bay; but he cruel inwards an engagement, together with at the same fourth dimension famine had commenced its direful work, together with so the assailants successfully reduced the town.
As their fighting men had all fallen at Oorun the conquest of all the residuum of the Gbagura towns was complete. Oorun when captured was fired ; existence a town situated on a high hill, the conquerors were able past times the assistance of the low-cal to pursue their victory to the side past times side town which they found deserted, together with so on to the side past times side together with the side past times side until they reached Ojoho. The towns deserted together with overrun that dark were Oorun, Ijaiye- maja, Kosi-kosi, Ikerekuiwere, Ora, Ibadan. Ofa together with Oje were also deserted, but the conquerors did non know of this till iii days after every bit they lay exterior their line of march.
Oba Gbadebo I, Alake of Abeokuta (1892-1920 5th from left) with his Chiefs together with British colonial administrator. Picture taken inwards 1905
From Ibadan they followed upwards the conquest to Ojokodo Iwohaha, together with Eguoto; all these places were deserted together with plundered inwards i dark together with past times the dawn of solar daytime they were before Ojoho. Ojoho offered a stout resistance together with existence weary from long marches the conquerors retired to uncovering a resting place. Of all the towns overrun the previous night, Ibadan lonely they found non destroyed past times fire, together with so this marauding band hastily occupied it, the war-chiefs taking possession of whatever chemical compound they chose, together with their men with them together with thus Ibadan was over again re-peopled but non by
the owners of the town, but past times a composite band of marauders, consisting of Oyos, Ifes, Ijebus, together with some friendly Egbas, Maye a bold together with brave Ife chieftain existence their leader. Next to him was Labgsinde also an Ife, but, through his mother, of Oyo descent.
These 2 leaders were men of dissimilar grapheme together with opposite temperament. Maye was of an irritable temper, inwards manners oil together with domineering, together with never failed at all times to demonstrate his
contempt for the Oyos, chiefly because they were homeless refugees. At the caput of the Oyos was Lakanla a bold together with brave leader who lonely of all the Oyo war-chiefs could venture to opened upwards his rima oris when Maye spoke. Labosinde on the reverse was most agreeable together with rattling fatherly inwards his manners together with thus much respected past times all.
First role, third from left; Oba Adeniji Adele (1949–1964) of Lagos with (First role, fourth from left) Alake of Abeokuta, Oba Ladapo Samuel Ademola II (27 Sep 1920 - 27 Dec.1962). Picture taken circa 1950.
Our source: Nigerianostalgia
Ibadan directly became the headquarters of these marauders from which identify Ojoho was besieged together with at length taken. At this fourth dimension also Ikeiye Owe together with a component of Ika were deserted ; the Ika people escaping to Iwokoto. All these were Egba villages of the Gbagura section.
As stated inwards the preceding department in that location were some friendly Egba chiefs who joined the marauders at Idi Ogugun together with at Ipara, together with directly they were all living together at Ibadan. The most influential alongside them were : — Lamodi, Apati, Ogunbona, Oso, Gbewiri, together with Inakoju. Ogundipe, who afterwards became a notable main at Abeokuta was together with then but a blacksmith together with a individual soldier.
Rivalry was so rife alongside these diverse tribes that altercations were frequent, together with i led to a civil war. In a populace coming together held at the Isale Ijebu quarter of the town, Lamodi an Egba main shot Ege an influential Ife main downwards dead with a pistol, together with inwards the commotion which ensued Lamodi himself was slain. For fearfulness of the Ifes avenging the decease of Ege the Egbas withdrew inwards a body from Ibadan together with encamped on the other side of the Ona river, virtually 3 or 4 miles distant. Here also they were sick at ease together with after divination they sent for i Sodeke to live their leader, together with they escaped to Abeokuta together with then a farm hamlet of an Itoko man, together with a resting identify for traders to together with from the Oke Ogun districts. Sodeke was at the caput of this novel colony until his death. This was virtually the yr 1830 They were continually swelled past times Egba refugees from all parts of the province together with also past times Egba slaves who had deserted their masters. At Abeokuta the refugees kept together according to their solid unit of measurement distinctions, viz. : —
1. The Egba Agbeyin comprising Ake the main town, Ijeun, Kemta, Imo, Igbore, etc. These were nether the Alake every bit chief.
2. Egba Agura (or Gbagura) comprising Agura the main town Ilugun, Ibadan, Ojohg, Ika, etc., nether the Agura every bit chief.
3. Egba Oke Ona with Oko the main town. Ikija, Ikereku, Idomapa, Odo, Podo, etc., nether the Osile every bit chief.
Here also the Owus joined them, i mutual calamity throwing them together. It was some considerable fourth dimension after that Ijaiye joined them, together with so past times degrees all the Egba townships virtually 153
became concentrated at Abeokuta, the novel town comprising Ijemo Itoko together with a few others who were already on the spot.
Until the decease of Sodeke inwards A.D. 1844 the Egbas never spoke of having a manly someone monarch over them, Sodeke wielding supreme ability inwards a rattling paternal way. Of external relations, rattling picayune (if any) existed, each of these families managed its ain affairs, together with in that location was no properly organized primal government.
Even after the foundation ot Abeokuta in that location were silent some Egbas residing at Ibadan. Egba women also who were unable or unwilling to go with their husbands to the novel settlement were taken every bit wives past times the novel colonists at Ibadan together with they became the mothers of most of the children of the starting fourth dimension generation of the novel Ibadan. From this it volition live seen that the electrical current tale of the Egbas
existence driven from Ibadan past times the Oyos is lacking inwards accuracy. Such together with then is the foundation of the nowadays Abeokuta.
ABEOKUTA: H5N1 CITY FOUNDED UNDER THE ROCK
Contrary to the widespread sentiments inwards the Western world virtually Africa existence a continent that was inhabited past times scattered groups of un-organized together with uncultured animal-like humans prior to the business of the lands past times Europeans, Africa was indeed inhabited past times good cultured together with organized grouping of peoples that receive got formidably built empires every bit good every bit smaller territories before the Europeans together with Arabs found their ways here.
The Egba land is i of such numerous nations that had existed before the European incursion which interfered inwards the gradual evolution of Africa’s development. It is also i of the to a greater extent than than 250 nations that were lumped together to shape the territory that is known today every bit the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Up until the 18th Century, the Egba people lived inwards a cluster of villages or so a identify known every bit Orile-Itoko, every bit a dependent champaign territory of the old Oyo Empire, which was i of the strongest empires that e'er existed inwards West Africa. Just similar the Roman Empire, the Oyo empire was so rigid that it easily quelled whatever shape of uprising or rebellion from whatever of its subject-states. It was even so shocking when a picayune known, but brave warrior, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, arose from alongside the Egba people together with led the land inwards an uprising against the Oyo Army’s continuous business of their land, the starting fourth dimension inwards the history of political together with armed forces confrontation with the Oyo kingdom. The defeated the Oyo Earth forces non entirely liberated the Egba people from the stronghold of the Oyo kingdom, it also signaled the disintegration of the all-mighty empire together with the little land of Egba ceased to live a colony of the Oyo empire together with became a costless province piece Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, upwards to this day, is regarded every bit the manly someone parent of the Egba people for his outstanding roles inwards the people’s liberation.
However, the weakening powerfulness of the Oyo Empire every bit a effect of continuous disintegration of the kingdom together with ascent of sometime colonies similar Ibadan, Ijebu together with the likes coupled with the boom of the slave trade, exposed the land to frequent attacks from Ibadan every bit good every bit Dahomey, some other large empire with its headquarters inwards today’s Republic of Benin Republic.
Thus, betwixt 1825 together with 1830 when it became expedient that the Nation of Egba tin no longer withstand the frequent attacks of the slave hunters from Ibadan together with Dahomey, the Egba people, on the directives of the Ifa Oracle, was led past times main Shodeke, on a long but tortuous journeying that brought them to the western side of the massive outcrop of granite rocks called “OLUMO”, that is “Oluwa fimo” important God puts an halt to our wandering. The rattling betoken the oracle asked them to relocate to.
Olumo stone became the greatest strength together with pillar of the Egba people, every bit it puts them at a advantage topographic point to sight their enemies from several kilometers away together with allow them to properly strategise together with brand usage of the stone together with the caves every bit protective shields against their enemies. The people together with then constituted themselves into a confederacy of distinct groups together with settled inwards the areas surrounding Olumo Rock. And every bit peace gradually returned, they told themselves together with whosoever cared to nous that they are the “people from nether the rock” , that is, Abeokuta.
Thus, the metropolis of Abeokuta, the largest metropolis inwards today’s Ogun State together with the capital, South-West Nigeria, is born. Located on the Ogun river, 78km due north of Lagos together with 70km from the ancient metropolis of Ibadan , Abeokuta is a strategically located metropolis with a rich historical significance to Nigeria together with Black Africa.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Due to its strategic topographic point together with historical cum cultural significance every bit good every bit proximity to Lagos, a coastal city, Abeokuta became a sort of attraction to the missionaries every bit good every bit Sierra Leonean creoles every bit early on every bit the 1840s.
This led to the see of foremost missionary, Henry Townsend, whose see had been foretold past times the Ifa Oracle inwards 1843. Henry Townsend conducted the starting fourth dimension church building service inwards the novel metropolis on Jan 5, 1843. Similar efforts eventually led to the edifice of the starting fourth dimension church building inwards the whole of territories directly known every bit Nigeria inwards the metropolis of Abeokuta — St Peters Anglican Cathedral, Ake Abeokuta. It also boasts of existence the metropolis where the Yoruba Language (one of the iii major languages spoken inwards Nigeria was starting fourth dimension documented inwards impress together with was also dwelling to the starting fourth dimension Newspaper inwards Nigeria — Iwe Irohin – which was inwards circulation inwards the 1860s together with remained so till 1867 when problem with the British inwards Lagos led the metropolis authorities to closed the merchandise routes to the coast together with expel its European traders together with missionaries. Abeokuta, survived many challenges to larn a powerful forcefulness every bit the uppercase of the Egba people together with topographic point of the Egba United government, especially during together with after the Yoruba civil wars which pitched Abeokuta against Ibadan. After the wars, the Alake (King) of Egba, who was the caput of Egba United government, signed an alliance with the British governor, Sir Gilbert Cartar, which made the British Government to grant independence to the Egba United Government inwards 1893. The metropolis of Abeokuta enjoyed this privilege every bit a uppercase metropolis of an independent nation, i time again, until 1914 when the Northern together with Southern protectorates were amalgamated to shape the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fela Kuti, Egba man
Its people together with culture
Abeokuta is an agro-based marketplace topographic point with little together with middle flat agro industries. The people create agricultural products such every bit Yams, Cassava, Rice, Corn, Palm oil, Poultry, Cottons together with vegetables. It also serves every bit an exporting betoken for cocoa, palm create together with kolanuts.
Due to the rocky terrain of some parts of the city, it has for many years been dwelling to a issue of quarry industries.Although, cotton fiber was introduced past times the Missionaries inwards the 1850’s, Cotton weaving, pottery together with necktie together with dye (Adire) are all traditional crafts of the Abeokuta people.
The metropolis is reputed to live the uppercase of the necktie together with dye manufacture inwards Nigeria. The centre of Adire making together with marketing inwards Abeokuta is at the pop Itoku marketplace topographic point at Kenta.
“The dyes were initially extracted from grasses together with leaves which were soaked for a issue of days inwards monastic tell to extract the dye from it. However, when the Malian traders came to Nigeria inwards the early on component of the 20th Century, they introduced chemic dyes which came inwards varying colours. This evolution gave a boast to the manufacture together with made the procedure of adire making a lot faster inwards a bid to encounter the growing need for it, says Mrs Malaolu, an adire merchant.
Olumo Rock: The monument that made the city.
Paradise Nature Park, Abeokuta
At virtually 2 kilometers from Itoku marketplace topographic point is Olumo rock, a massive outcrop of granite rocks, which peaks at virtually 137 meters to a higher identify the body of body of water level. Located inwards the component of Abeokuta called Ikija, Olumo stone prides itself every bit the symbol of Egba unity together with the foundation of the city. History has it that a famous hunter together with farmer named Adagba discovered the stone some 200 years ago.
Under the stone was a cave which was partitioned into a issue of rooms using clay slabs. The cave with the rooms were used every bit hide-outs past times the people during wars.
Overtime, most of the rooms receive got caved inwards due to the over 200 years of have on together with tear with entirely i room standing till today. Olumo is a magnificent site to behold every bit it serves every bit tourist finish inwards Nigeria today. Right on top of the rock, a tourist tin view the entire landscape of the metropolis of Abeokuta together with beyond. The centre was inwards 2006 upgraded to encounter the electrical current moving ridge of technological advancement with the introduction of elevators.
It is worshipped annually, the latest existence March3, 2012 to grade the Lisabi Day. Abeokuta metropolis has produced illustrious sons together with daughters, who had carved a niche for themselves inwards Nigeria together with the world inwards general. They include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a one-time armed forces Head of State together with two- term civilian president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Late Chief M.K.O Abiola, business organisation mogul, pol together with philantropist, the belatedly Chief Simeon Adebo, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, sometime Head of the interim Federal Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Amos Tutuola, writer of palm vino drinkard, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti together with Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Beyond the imposing profile of the stone metropolis together with Olumo are a warm together with accommodating laid of people, who cherish peace to a higher identify whatever other considerations.
source:http://insidewatchafrica.com/abeokuta-a-city-founded-under-the-rock/
Ademola II - The Alake of Egbaland at Trowbridge 1937
ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU & OTUNBA BOLA KUFORIJI OLUBI
Yoruba adult woman on the correct with an Edo on the left
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