Ekiti People: Culturally Homogeneous In Addition To Hilly Intellectual Yoruba Sub-Group From The Urban Meat Of Rock
The Ekiti people are aboriginal, culturally homogeneous as well as highly intellectual agriculturalist Yoruboid-speaking people that forms a sub-group of the larger Yoruba ethnic grouping of West Africa, especially inwards Nigeria as well as some portion of Benin. Ekiti people who are well-known for their various as well as lineament of traditional arts, music, verse as well as witty sayings are reside predominantly inwards the Ekiti State inwards Western Nigeria. The Ekiti constitutes i of the largest Yoruba sub-group inwards Nigeria with the 2006 population census yesteryear the National Population Commission putting the population of Ekiti State at 2,384,212 people.
Ekiti State lies southward of Kwara as well as Kogi State, East of Osun State as well as bounded yesteryear Ondo State inwards the East as well as inwards the south. It was declared a province on Oct 1, 1996 amongst 5 others yesteryear the military machine nether the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. The state, carved out of the territory of old Ondo State, covers the former twelve local authorities areas that made upward the Ekiti Zone of old Ondo State. On creation, it took off with 16 (16) Local Government Areas (LGAs), having had an additional 4 carved out of the old ones. Ekiti State is i of the thirty-six states (Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that constitute Nigeria. The working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State is Ado-Ekiti. The people of Ekiti State alive mainly inwards towns, similar most Yoruba. There are non less than 120 towns inwards Ekiti state. One of import aspect of the Ekiti towns is the mutual suffix "Ekiti" attached to their names. Some of the towns include Ado, the province working capital alphabetic character becomes Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Ayedun, Efon Alaaye, it Emure, Ido, lgede, lgogo, ljero, ljesalsu, Ikere, Ikole, Ikoro, llawe, llupeju, Ire, lse, lye, Ode, Omuo, Otun as well as Oye.
Historically, the Ekitis are amongst the aboriginal elements of the Nigeria absorbed yesteryear the invaders from the East (Yoruba people from Ile Ife). "The term Ekiti denotes a "Mound", as well as is derived from the rugged mountainous characteristic of the country. It is an extensive province as well as good watered, including several tribes as well as families correct on to the border of the Niger, eastward. They handgrip themselves quite distinct from the Ijesas, especially inwards political affairs." (Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yoruba, 1921). It is believed that the ancestors of Ekiti people who came to combine with the aboriginal people on the dry ground migrated from Ile Ife, the spiritual abode of the Yoruba people. According to oral as well as contemporary written sources of Yoruba history, Oduduwa, the ancestor of the Yoruba traveled to Ife [Ife Ooyelagbo] where he met people who were already settled there. Among the elders he met inwards the town were Agbonniregun [Stetillu], Obatala, Orelure, Obameri, Elesije, Obamirin, Obalejugbe exactly to call a few. It is known that descendants of Agbonniregun [Baba Ifa] settled inwards Ekiti, examples beingness the Alara as well as Ajero who are sons of Ifa. Orunmila [Agbonniregun] himself spent a greater portion of his life at Ado. Due to this, nosotros have got the maxim ‘Ado ni ile Ifa’ [Ado is the abode of Ifa]. The Ekiti have got ever since settled inwards their nowadays location.
The early on Ekiti dry ground is divided into 16 districts (and it has been maintained to this day), each with its ain Owa or King (Owa beingness a generic term amongst them) of which 4 are supreme, viz. : —
(1) The Owore of Otun, (2) The Ajero of Ijero, (3) The Elewi of Ado as well as (4) The Elekole of Ikole.
The next are the small-scale Ekiti kings : —
(5) Alara of Aramoko, (6) Alaye of Efon Ahaye, (7) Ajanpanda of Akure, (8) Alagotun of Ogotun, (9) Olojudo of Ido, (10) Ata of Aiyede, (11) Oloja Oke of Igbo Odo, (12) Oloye of Oye, (13) Olomuwo of Omuwo, (14) Onire of Ire, (15) Arinjale of Ise and (16) Onitaji of Itaji.
The Orangun of Ila is sometimes classed amongst them, but he is only Ekiti inwards sympathy, beingness of a dissimilar family.
Udiroko festival at Ekiti
The Ekiti are really intelligent as well as have got a deep love of home- at that spot has been no large scale migration of Ekiti peoples to neighbouring countries, but Ekitis are inwards other parts of Yorubaland mostly inwards Ondo, Oshun as well as Kwara states. Respect for historic flow as well as superiors, ingrained politeness is portion as well as parcel of their nature. Ekiti dry ground is reputed to have got produced the highest number of professors inwards Nigeria.
It is rather yesteryear heritage than yesteryear accident that the motto of the nowadays Ekiti province is “Fountain of Knowledge,” since Agbonniregun whose descendants are all over Ekitiland is praised every bit Akere-finu sogbon [the little adult man with a take heed total of wisdom]. Several pioneers academics are from the state. Pioneers similar Profs Adegoke Olubummo (One of the 1st Nigerian Professors inwards the patch of Mathematics), Adeyinka Adeyemi (1st Professor of Architecture inwards West Africa). Others include renowned academics similar Profs J.F. Ade-Ajayi, Niyi Osundare, Sam Aluko as well as others also many to mention.
Geography as well as Climate
Ekiti State is situated alone within the tropics. It is located betwixt longitudes 40°51′ as well as 50°451′ East of the Greenwich meridian as well as latitudes 70°151′ as well as 80°51′ due north of the Equator. It lies southward of Kwara as well as Kogi State, East of Osun State as well as bounded yesteryear Ondo State inwards the East as well as inwards the south, with a total dry ground Area of 5887.890sq km. Ekiti State has 16 Local Government Councils.
By 1991 Census, the population of Ekiti State was 1,647,822 spell the estimated population upon its creation on Oct 1st 1996 was lay at 1,750,000 with the working capital alphabetic character located at Ado-Ekiti. The 2006 population census yesteryear the National Population Commission lay the population of Ekiti State at 2,384,212 people.
Ekiti, the dry ground of rock
In general, Ekiti State is underlain yesteryear metamorphic rocks of the PreCambrian basement complex, the bully bulk of which are really ancient inwards age. These basement complex rocks demo bully variations inwards grain size as well as inwards mineral composition. The rocks are quartz gneisses as well as schists consisting essentially of quartz with little amounts of white micaceous minerals. In grain size as well as structure, the rocks vary from really coarse grained pegmatite to mediumgrained gneisses. The rocks are strongly foliated as well as they occur every bit outcrops especially inwards EfonAlaaye as well as Ikere Ekiti areas (Smyth as well as Montgomery, 1962).
Ekiti State has no coastal boundary, hence it has no coastal relief. Indeed, the term, Ekiti, denotes an interior or hinterland surface area every bit opposed to a maritime surface area (Oguntuyi, 1979). It also agency mound. This call invariably implies that Ekiti State is mainly an upland area. In the main, the relief is rugged with undulating areas as well as granitic outcrops inwards several places. The notable ones amongst the hills are IkereEkiti Hills inwards the southern portion of the state; EfonAlaaye Hills to the western boundary of the province as well as the AdoEkiti Hills inwards the fundamental portion of the state.
Most of these hills are good over 250m higher upward sea level. The drainage scheme over the areas of base of operations ment complex rocks is usually marked with the proliferation of many little river channels. The chan nels of these smaller streams are dry out for many months, especially from Nov to May.
In Ekiti State, at that spot is no major river. However, the province serves every bit the watershed as well as source part for 3 major rivers that flow into the Atlantic ocean. These are the Rivers Osun, Owena as well as Ogbese. Other rivers are Ero, Ose as well as Oni. Another impor tant aspect of the relief of Ekiti province is the preva lence of erosion gullies along colina slopes as well as valleys.
The gullies are really mutual inwards Efon Alaaye as well as inwards the northern portion of the state. Indeed, inwards EfonAlaaye, the gullies could live devastating
The Ekiti dialect, however, varies across locations, e.g. Otun people (in Moba land) speak a dialect unopen to that of the Igbominas inwards Kwara as well as Osun States; the Oke-Ako, Irele as well as Omu-Oke people speak a dialect similar to that spoken yesteryear the Ijumus inwards Kogi State. The people of Efon Alaaye also speak a similar dialect to that of the Ijesas of Osun State. Although slight (and inwards really few locations, somewhat wide) variations be inwards the local dialects, the Ekiti people empathise each other as well as communicate pretty well.
History
Historically, the Ekitis are amongst the aboriginal elements of the Nigeria absorbed yesteryear the invaders from the East (Yoruba people from Ile Ife). "The term Ekiti denotes a "Mound", as well as is derived from the rugged mountainous characteristic of the country. It is an extensive province as well as good watered, including several tribes as well as families correct on to the border of the Niger, eastward. They handgrip themselves quite distinct from the Ijesas, especially inwards political affairs." (Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yoruba, 1921). It is believed that the ancestors of Ekiti people who came to combine with the aboriginal people on the dry ground migrated from Ile Ife, the spiritual abode of the Yoruba people. According to oral as well as contemporary written sources of Yoruba history, the Ekitis are amongst the earliest settlers of Yorubaland. The Yoruba [Oyo Yoruba] are said to have got sprung from Lamurudu, i of the kings of Mecca whose offspring were Oduduwa (Crown Prince), the kings of Gogobiri (Gogir inwards Hausaland) as well as Kukawa (Bornu).
Oduduwa, the ancestor of the Yoruba traveled to Ife [Ife Ooyelagbo] where he met people who were already settled there. Among the elders he met inwards the town were Agbonniregun [Stetillu], Obatala, Orelure, Obameri, Elesije, Obamirin, Obalejugbe exactly to call a few. It is known that descendants of Agbonniregun [Baba Ifa] settled inwards Ekiti, examples beingness the Alara as well as Ajero who are sons of Ifa. Orunmila [Agbonniregun] himself spent a greater portion of his life at Ado. Due to this, nosotros have got the maxim ‘Ado ni ile Ifa’ [Ado is the abode of Ifa]. The Ekiti have got ever since settled inwards their nowadays location.
Another oral tradition assert that The Olofin, i of the sons of the Oduduwa had 16 (16) children as well as inwards the agency of searching for the novel dry ground to develop, they all journeyed out of Ile-Ife every bit they walked through the Iwo - Eleru(crave) close Akure as well as had halt over at a spot called Igbo-Aka(forest of termites) closer to Ile-Oluji. The Olofin, the 16 children as well as some other dear people continued with their journey, but when they got to a particular lovely as well as apartment land, the Owa-Obokun(the monachy of Ijesha land) as well as Orangun of Ila decided to remain inwards the nowadays Ijesha as well as Igomina dry ground of inwards Osun state. While the remaining xiv (14) children continued with the journeying as well as later on settled inwards the nowadays hateful solar daytime Ekiti land. They discovered that at that spot were many hills inwards the spot as well as they said inwards their mother's linguistic communication that this is 'Ile olokiti' the dry ground of hills. Therefore the Okiti later on blended to EkitiI. So Ekiti derived her call through hills. These are directly children as well as founder of Ekitiland, Igbominaland as well as Ijeshaland:
Nobody tin give accurate dates to these events due to the lack of written sources, but people have got lived inwards Ekiti for centuries. It is on tape that Ekiti Obas had prosperous reign inwards the 13th century. An instance was the reign of Ewi Ata od Ado inwards the 1400s. The Ekiti are intelligent as well as have got a deep love of home. Respect for historic flow as well as superiors, ingrained politeness is portion as well as parcel of their nature.
Before Nigeria was amalgamated, the Ekiti tribe was nether the British Protectorate with the other Yoruba tribes. Ekiti became portion of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria which was divided to give the Ekitis their ain state.
There has been no large scale migration of Ekiti peoples to neighbouring countries, but Ekitis are inwards other parts of Yorubaland mostly inwards Ondo, Oshun as well as Kwara states. The nowadays Ekiti province is smaller than the old Ekiti i due to inter-tribal wars as well as subsequent redivisions. By virtue of Ekiti’s intelligence, at that spot are to a greater extent than Ekiti graduates today than inwards most states of Nigeria. It is rather yesteryear heritage than yesteryear accident that the motto of the nowadays Ekiti province is “Fountain of Knowledge,” since Agbonniregun whose descendants are all over Ekitiland is praised every bit Akere-finu sogbon [the little adult man with a take heed total of wisdom].
The remarkable simplicity, though tough but unwarlike attribute of the Ekitis led the Oyos to wage state of war on them inwards the mid-1800. The Ekitis formed an alliance which they termed Ekiti Parapo (i.e. Ekiti Confederation). They raised a formidable regular army as well as were determined non only to unloose themselves but also to overrun the Oyos correct to Ibadan farms at the River Oba. Prince Fabunmi of Oke Imesi headed the confederates with able warlords such every bit Fabaro of Ido, Famakinwa of Erin, Odole- Oloyombere, Oluborode of Ikogosi exactly to call a few. They were later on joined yesteryear Ogedemgbe- Agbogun Gboror who later on became the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederates.
Instead of tendering their submission every bit Are Latosisa thought, the Oyo regular army found the Ekiti-Parapos became the initiatory off to innovate long flintlock guns with large muzzles to state of war inwards Yorubaland. These guns when fully loaded as well as fired, gave a written report which reverberated from colina to colina all around. It sounded similar KI-RI-JI, KI-RI-JI, from which this state of war was named the Kiriji campaign. The state of war lasted until 1886 some when the Oyos pleaded for British intervention inwards the war. The British intervention led to a peace treaty betwixt the Oyos as well as Ekitis. never to wage state of war against each other as well as so with Oyo as well as other Yoruba nations, thus making the Kiriji state of war the in conclusion major state of war of the Yoruba
Towns as well as administrative divisions
The people of Ekiti State alive mainly inwards towns. These towns include: Ado, Awo Ekiti, Ayegbaju Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, Aramoko Ekiti, Temidire-Ikole Local Govt, Igede Ekiti, Ikole, Ayede, Isan, Iye Ayede, Ikere, Ire, Ijero, Ayetoro, Ipoti, Igogo, Ise, Itapa, Otun, Usi Ekiti, Ido, Emure, Iyin, Igede, Ilawe, Ode, Oye, Omuo, Ilupeju, Ikoro,Iloro, Ikun, Iye, Ijesa-Isu, Ayedun, Aisegba, Osin, Okemesi, Iworoko, Ifaki, Osan, Erinmope, Asin-Ekiti, Orin, Ilogbo, Osi, Igbole, Ora, Aye, Ikogosi Erio, [Igbara-Odo](Ogotun), Erijiyan Ekiti Iludun, Ilemeso, Otun, Itapaji, Imojo, Ire Ekiti, Eda Oniyo, Gogo Ekiti, Odooro Ekiti, Ijan Ekiti, Epe Ekiti, Usi Ekiti.
Local Government Areas
L-R: Chairman, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State, Chief Aderemi Ajayi; Alara of Aramoko Kingdom, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi; his wife, Adenike; ..
Ekiti State includes 16 of Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas. They are:
Economy
Agriculture is the main business of the people of Ekiti, as well as it is the major source of income for many inwards the state. Agriculture provides income as well as occupation for to a greater extent than than 75% of the population of Ekiti State.
Some of Ekiti’s agricultural create are: Cash crops such every bit Cocoa, Oil Palm, Kolanut, Plantain, Bananas, Cashew, Citrus as well as Timber; Arable /Food Crops such every bit Rice, Yam, Cassava, Maize as well as cowpea. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 detailed listing of agricultural create is contained inwards the tables below.
Ojojolu Theatre grouping entertaining the audience with a Sango trip the lite fantastic at the 2013 Udiroko Festival inwards Ado-Ekiti.
Origin of Ekiti Towns
Ado-Ekiti
Ado Ekiti is a metropolis inwards southwest Nigeria, the province working capital alphabetic character as well as headquarters of the Ekiti. It is also known every bit Ado. The population inwards 2004 was 446,749. The people of Ado Ekiti are mainly of the Ekiti sub-ethnic grouping of the Yoruba. Ado Ekiti City has a State owned University - the University of Ado Ekiti at nowadays Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, a privately owned University - the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, a Polytechnic - the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, 2 local boob tube as well as radio stations, - NTA Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Television (BSES), Radio Ekiti, Progress FM Ado Ekiti. Various commercial enterprises operate inwards Ado Ekiti. The metropolis is the merchandise centre for a farming part where yams, cassava, grain, as well as tobacco are grown. Cotton is also grown for weaving.
Where Ado-Ekiti is situated is a dry ground that has been continuously inhabited/occupied yesteryear human communities from fourth dimension immemorial. Available query shows that human societies of unknown antiquity occupied this neighbourhood nearly (11,000) years ago. These ancient inhabitants were in all probability the same or progenitors/ancestors of Igbon close Ogotun, Erijiyan, Ijero, Ulesun as well as Asin (near Ikole) who were in all probability autochthones because available traditions shows that they had lived inwards as well as close their abodes from fourth dimension immemorial. As a affair of fact, no i knows where, if any, they came from as well as for how long they had lived inwards those ancient sites. Ulesun appears the best-known evidently on concern human relationship of its size, the number of its subordinate communities especially Aso, Ulero, Isinla, Ilamoji, Ukere as well as Agbaun (near Igbemo), its well-organized traditional organized faith including its festivals etc. as well as its location at the heartland of Ekitiland. These ancient people were the ancestors of Ekiti, they played hosts inwards the seventh as well as eighth centuries, nearly 1,200 years ago, to waves of immigrants from the basins of the rivers Niger as well as Benue; these settled amongst the ancient Ekiti, as well as were fewer inwards number as well as so, the hosts culturally absorbed them.
Ewi immigration
After many generations, a novel moving ridge of immigrant groups penetrated this homeland; their leader every bit Ewi, instant successor of Prince Biritiokun, Son of Oduduwa, on concern human relationship of his wanderings all the way from the Republic of Benin forests, the leader was nicknamed Awamaro. Ulesun people welcomed them warmly as well as neighbouring committees came together to assist their settlement (built homesteads for them) at Oke-Ibon inwards Odo Ijigbo. Eventually, Ewi as well as his people overthrew the existing political arrangements, conquered Ulesun community, displaced its ruler Elesun as well as established a novel town, Awamaro named Ado, pregnant 'here nosotros encamp'. Ewi Awamaro as well as his successors conquered villages as well as cottage inwards the neighbourhood, replaced their rulers with their ain loyalists, stalwarts as well as scions of the royal family. The of import citizens of these conquered communities were relocated inwards Ado. Ewi supplanted Elesun every bit sovereign ruler of the aboriginal as well as settler population, many of Elesun's Chiefs were confirmed inwards their offices but they swore oaths of allegiance to the Ewi. Many of the succeeding Ewi expanded the kingdom yesteryear forcefulness of arms, annexed territories as well as gave these territories to scions of the royal families, these assumed titles which became hereditary. The expansion as well as growth of Ado-Ekiti as well as the kingdom of Ado lasted over 400 years. In the course of instruction of this expansion, Ado became associated with certainly traits. Citizens of the kingdom inwards full general as well as those of the woman parent town, Ado-Ekiti inwards particular were reputed for bully attending to cleanliness. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pop lyrical description of Ado citizenry depicts:
Ira Ule Ado m'etipise fifin seree (Ado citizens with their usually create clean heels). Ado people were, yesteryear local standard, tough as well as brave warriors. Traditions save numerous brave citizens of each Ado community, the best known were Ogbigbonihanran of Idolofin quarters, Ogunmonakan of Okelaja, Fasawo, a.k.a. Aduloju of Udemo quarters, as well as Eleyinmi Orogirigbona of Okeyinmi quarters - all of Ado-Ekiti as well as Ogunbulu, a.k.a. Ala l'oju Osoru of Aisegba. The exploits of Ado tough inwards many parts of Ekiti formed the footing of the pop orature: Ikara s'eji s'inu agbagba t'emi ukoko (Of 2 balls of cake inwards the frying-pan, he insists his part is one)
Folk, traditions are replete with fond references to Ewi's human relationship with some other Ekiti traditional rulers. Ewi's antecedents are depicted as: Elempe Ekiti (mightiest adult man inwards Ekiti) On k'emu 'kan o mu meji Oloju k'enu 'kan gba kete re (He is entitled to one, he took 2 he has a disposition to take everything) Ewi i pe mi udiroko Onitaji i pe mi esunsu...... (Ewi invites me for his udiroko festival Onitaji invites me for his esunsu festival)
Folk traditions of this nature vividly portray the towering spot of Ado-Ekiti. In the initiatory off place, Ado-Ekiti is situated at the heartland of Ekiti as well as is thus less exposed to cross-border attacks or non-Ekiti influences. Consequently, over many centuries, waves of immigrant groups seeking haven settled inwards Ado-Ekiti as well as several other Ado communities. Many of these immigrants were refugees, they left their old homelands inwards parts of Ekiti, Akoko, Owo etc. where their leaders lost out inwards chieftaincy contests. Some were state of war captives, these were brought inwards droves yesteryear Aduloju as well as his lieutenants from their slave wars of the 1870s as well as 1880s inwards parts of Owo, Ose as well as Akoko. They were settled inwards Ado communities where they increased the local population, as well as enriched the civilization with their lineage names as well as festivals inwards similar circumstances, citizens of Ado communities left their fatherland as well as settled inwards a few places inwards the neighbourhood upward to Ijesaland. Ibadan sacked many Ado communities inwards 1873 as well as made a huge haul of prisoners of state of war as well as other captives who eventually settled inwards Iwo, Ibadan as well as some Remo towns such every bit Iperu as well as Makun Sagamu. However, Ado communities especially the woman parent town offset portion of their losses with a large number of slaves as well as prisoners of state of war from Owo, Ose as well as Akoko.
Ado-Ekiti is i of the towns of the northeastern territory of Yoruba dry ground as well as passed through a succession of military, political as well as cultural changes from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro (circa 1310 A.D) who migrated at that spot to cast what became Ado-Ekiti.
Jadesola Babatola (2008) noted that the large portion of the 13th century, legend had it that many princes left Ile Ife to what later on became several Yoruba kingdoms along the due west coast of Nigeria. Among the princes were 2 born to Oduduwa yesteryear the same mother, the Oba of Republic of Benin as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. Both initiatory off settled inwards Republic of Benin forests earlier disputes amongst their people led them to separate as well as the Ewi sought a novel abode westward at Utamodi (Oke Papa). Ewi Biritiokun as well as his boy reigned there. It was Ewi Awamaro who migrated to Ilesun (Present hateful solar daytime Ado-Ekiti) after staying briefly at Udoani (Ido Ani) as well as Agbado during the long trek. When Ewi Awamaro left Agbado, the elders remained behind to ease as well as gave the settlement the call Agba Ado (Elders’ Camp) – Agbado-Ekiti every bit the town is known today. Awamaro’s spies encouraged him to assault Elesun with the back upward of Odolofin after he had settled downward at Oke Ibon (now Odo Ijigbo) as well as with the conquest of Ulesun yesteryear Awamaro, the town of Ulesun changed its call to Ado or Ado-Ewi.
The Elesun (the King) who ruled over the town of Ulesun with its satellite towns i.e. Ukere (now Ikere), Isinla, Ulamoji, Agidimo, Ikewo existed inwards what is at nowadays known every bit Ado-Ekiti earlier the emergence of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. The Elesun occupied the peak of a hierarchy where he had his subordinates every bit the Odolofin (Elesun instant inwards command), Asao, Elegemo, Alamoji, Olisinla, Olulero, Olookori etc. Elesun was the caput of the laity inwards the worship of Olota (god), the deity inwards accuse of the safety of Ulesun State. The Ulesun linguistic communication was dissimilar from Yoruba (Ado-Ewi) language. Examples are Ideregbe (Ewure or Goat), Okeregba (Aja or Dog), Amomo (Alangba or Lizard), Usa (Ikoko or Pot), Ukere (Ago or Calabash Cup), Ogolomosi (Ibepe or Pawpaw), Oyeye (Epa or Groundnut). Some of the Elesun’s chiefs such every bit Odolofin as well as Asao were accepted into the Ewi’s scheme of chieftaincy after Awamaro’s conquest. The Elegemo retained his post every bit Chief Priest as well as custodian of Iwemo Ogun. Ewi’s Warrior chiefs who provided military machine safety for palace inhabitants were the Akogun at Irona, Oloja Ese at Oke Ese, Eleyinmi at Okeyinmi as well as Egbedi at Orereowu. Ewi Awamaro subjugated Elesun’s neighbours as well as expanded his territory except Ukere (Ikere Ekiti) as well as his successors upward to Yeyenirewu followed same steps that yesteryear 1550 A.D. Ado-Ewi had acquire a large powerfulness inwards the entire Ekiti country.
The Ewis that reigned at Ado from 1444 to 1552 were: Ewi Ata (1444–1471), Ewi Owakunrugbon (1471–1490), Ewi Owamuaran (1490–1511), Yeyenirewu - The regent (1511– 1552). Ewi’s military machine exploits during the flow was to subjugate as well as annex his immediate territories extended to Ikere, Igbara Odo, Ogotun, Aramoko, Erio as well as Erijiyan amongst others. It was a long fourth dimension systematic military machine drive during the reigns of Ewi Obakunrin (1552–1574), Ewi Eleyo-Okun (1574–1599) as well as Ewi Afigbogbo Ara Soyi (1599-1630). During the reign of Ewi Gberubioya (1630-1696), Ado-Ewi was peaceful every bit state of war was abandoned inwards spot of diplomacy as well as mutual relations strategy. Ewi Gberubioya divided the Ewi dynasty into 3 ruling houses of Owaroloye (Aroloye), Atewogboye as well as Arutawekun. Ewi’s sons that ruled inwards neighbouring areas during the reign of Gberubioya included Okunbusi who became Onigede, Adubienimu who became Alawo, the Onijan, Opoakin (of Iwere), Olu Akitipa (of Odo), Aramude, Olokun, Olurasa, Onikewo as well as Olotin. One of his sons, Amujoye founded Igbemo as well as took the championship of Oba of Igbemo from its inception. Gberubioya linked the Ewi’s dynasty to both Ikole as well as Ijero because i of his wives who were betrothed to Elekole was surrendered to Ewi every bit a peace bargain as well as her children for the Elekole, Ewi as well as Ajero who took her into custody after Ewi’s demise later on ascended every bit Ewi, Elekole as well as Ajero respectively. Ido Faboro (Ido-Ekiti) took her electrical current call from Ado every bit a resultant of settlement with Ewi to remain independent of Ado during Gberubioya’s reign. Other Ewis that reigned after Gberubioya were Ewi Idagunmodo (1696-1710), Ewi Okinbaloye Aritawekun (1710-1722), Ewi Amono Ola (1722-1762), Ewi Afunbiowo (1762-1781), Ewi Akulojuorun (1781-1808), Ewi Aroloye (1808-1836), Ewi Ali Atewogboye (1836-1885), Ewi Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (1886-1910), Ewi Adewumi Agunsoye (1910 - 1936), Ewi Daniel Anirare Aladesanmi II (1937 - 1983), HRM Ewi Samuel Adeyemi George-Adelabu I (1984 - 1988) as well as HRM Alayeluwa Ewi Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III (the electrical current Ewi of Ado-Ekiti).
British occupation
From the 1880s, agents of the British, especially Christian missionaries penetrated the Yoruba interior inwards an endeavour to halt the wars, inwards particular, the wars of liberation Ekitiparapo communities waged against Ibadan since October, 1879. In June, 1886, political-cum-military officers got the belligerent parties to sign a truce as well as inwards March, 1893, Governor Carter of Lagos visited Ibadan as well as Ekitiparapo camps of Igbajo as well as Imesi-Ile as well as terminated the war, got the leaders to sign treaties which prohibited slavery as well as slave trade, human sacrifices as well as the usage of weapons to settle conflicts. The British management inwards Lagos (which had control over Yoruba hinterland from 1893) proclaimed a full general emancipation for slaves as well as ordered slaves who so wished to homecoming to their former homelands. As a result, numerous citizens of Ekiti inwards full general as well as Ado inwards particular returned from captivity forth with. The British established its colonial dominion on vast territories as well as inwards 1900, a number of districts became Nigeria. Eventually, farther reorganizations led to the creation inwards January, 1913 of Ekiti District, with headquarters inwards Ado-Ekiti. That was a landmark from where to set out the word of today, modern times, a flow characterized yesteryear the emergence of novel things, phenomenal growth as well as evolution of old kingdom as well as its Chief city, Ado-Ekiti.
Ado-Ekiti Layout every bit a Yoruba Settlement inwards 1800s
Jadesola Babatola (2013) noted that the characteristics of average human settlements across the Yoruba land upward to 19th century have got been identified every bit a formation of 2 basic settlement patterns – the main town as well as the subordinate towns. In quoting P.C. Llyod (1962:54-57) he presented that the metropolitan (main) town is sometimes larger than the subordinate towns spell its rulership as well as kinship are based on patrilinear succession within the agnatic lineage. The traditional layout organisation was usually based on geographic location, population size, demand for expansion, merchandise opportunities, settlers’ vocation as well as military machine vulnerability of major towns over subordinate towns inwards addressing their strategic merchandise as well as military machine advantage. Across Yorubaland, it was observed that variations as well as modification inwards the location as well as access to King’s palace inwards particular amongst the settings for the King’s marketplace as well as coming together places inwards designated areas were determined yesteryear the town’s topography, civilization as well as politics as well as the extent of command over the people as well as the local economy.
The full general Yoruba traditional chemical compound described yesteryear T.J. Bowen inwards his Adventures as well as Missionary labours inwards the Interior of Africa from 1849-1856, as well as the Revd. R.H. Stone’s inwards Afric’s Forest as well as Jungle, was farther described inwards yesteryear PC Llyod’s Comparative Study of the Political Institutions inwards Some Yoruba Towns, an unpublished B.Sc thesis (1952). For avoidance of doubt, the Intelligence Report produced yesteryear N.A.C. Weir (1933) reported a full general framework of township organisation inwards Ado-Ekiti inwards the early on British colonial rule, which is similar to what existed during the pre-colonial era. Weir (1933) noted that the theater unit of measurement (Ebi) every bit the smallest unit of measurement which is grouped into Village (Ileto) or Sub-Quarter (Ogbon) or Quarter (Adugbo) inwards a town (Ilu). However Weir made an mistake of assertion when he claimed that ‘the wars or slave raids of the 19th century were the greatest factors inwards the creation of the larger towns.’
Weir’s mistake was based on his lack of agreement of the traditional layout pattern inwards Yoruba dry ground as well as his misconception of the facts behind the growth of major towns which he attributed purely to illegitimate as well as legitimate trade. The existing traditional organisation ever recognized some socio-economic as well as political factors necessary for the formation as well as setting of townships inwards Yoruba land. Recounting the assertions of E. Kraff Askaris, I. Olomola (2013) observed that the Palace of a paramount ruler is the centre of political as well as economical activities such that both the palace as well as fundamental (Oba’s) marketplace lay at the centre of the town as well as all route to as well as from the outer. Communities converged on it similar spokes of wheel. Both Palace as well as Market were sacred places every bit good every bit centres of ritual sacrifices as well as worship of tutelary deities.
The panoramic stance of Ado-Ekiti inwards the 19th century was a characteristic of average Yoruba settlement. Llyod (1962) noted that the traditional layout existing across settlements inwards Yoruba dry ground inwards the pre-colonial era formed portion of the physical features of Ado-Ekiti. He described how Ado-Ekiti was traditionally arranged amongst settlers. See diagram of source inwards P.C. Llyod (1962:56) Yoruba Land Law. Using the foregoing parameters, i tin depict the nature as well as pattern of settlements of Ado-Ekiti inwards the pre-colonial era yesteryear pinpointing existing organisation inwards Ado-Ekiti every bit it reflects on the growth of the metropolis or main town (Ilu-Nla) as well as the subordinate towns (Ilu-Kekere) inwards the peripheries (Agbegbe) or subordinate areas. Furthermore, the sketch devised yesteryear Llyod (1962:56) showed the construction of Ado-Ekiti settlement every bit a metropolitan town surrounded yesteryear subordinate towns as well as communities with Ado-Ekiti layout coordinated as well as co-existing with the layout of the subordinate towns surrounding the municipality inwards similar ways.
Ewi’s Suzerainty inwards Ado-Ekiti Traditional Layout as well as 1800s Settlements: Ado-Ekiti as well as all other Ado communities consisted of a ‘large number of traditional rectangular compounds grouped into the quarters of the town’. Within the Ado-Ekiti township layout, the Ewi’s Palace lay inwards the middle, though it was initiatory off built at Oke-Ibon as well as and then moved to Chief Arowa’s Palace strands beside the Erekesin (King’s Market) earlier it was moved into the vintage dot of Oke Ewi where it has finally settled over 200 years ago. The sitting of Ewi’s Palace within Ado’s topography is discussed inwards the piece of work of G.J.A. Ojo (1966:76) who noted that Yoruba palaces (aafin) are the residence of King (Oba) as well as sacred places that houses shrines as well as temples to all deities worshipped inwards the kingdom, together with a number of places reserved for ritual activities, oath taking etc. Llyod (1962:192) inwards similar mode justified the status of the Ewi every bit a scared ruler inwards the typical Yoruba fashion. Oral tradition farther hinged the sacredness of Ewi as well as the location of Ewi’s Palace at the centre of the primary metropolis (Ado-Ekiti) on the grade of his human relationship as well as the latitude which his High Chiefs, Military Chiefs, Palace Chiefs as well as Royal Princes who acted every bit patron chiefs over hamlets as well as surrounding villages enjoy.
The traditional layout of Ado-Ewi appeared to have got taken definite shape from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro every bit a affair of strategic repositioning for Kingdom edifice as well as political control of the rural as well as conquered communities. The traditional layout blueprint of Ado-Ekiti relocated most of the early on settlers exterior the vicinity of Ewi’s Palace. It was an organisation that also left the Ado community as well as the subordinate towns to revolve some Ewi inwards a preferred order. The enlargement of the Ewi’s Kingdom during the reign of Ewi Gberubioya (1630-1696) inwards the 17th century as well as other successive Ewis upward into slow 19th century which covers the flow nether review with the expansion of the main town’s layout indicates that they did non alter the traditions for town settings which is similar to what is obtained inwards many other of Yoruba major towns.
Wife of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Eyesorun Bosede Adejugbe; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; as well as Wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, when the governor's married adult woman visited the palace,
In the most portion of 1800 (19th Century) as well as early on 20th century, Ado people were adherents inwards African traditional organized faith with fervent worship of the supernatural, ancestral as well as embodied spirits of varying categories, which revolve circular Ewi’s Palace institution. The mode of worship as well as observance of traditional rites revolved some alaponmi, Oitado as well as alafonyos, Ogun festival as well as Iwe Mo Ogun, Egungun festivals - Ade, Aeregbe, Orude, Epa, Odede festivals as well as the most important, beingness Udiroko which is the traditional Ado Day, the initiatory off hateful solar daytime inwards the traditional calendar. Traditional shrines were created for Orisa Ojido, Uba Lota, Ayoba, Oke Egbe (now Ayunbo), Odudu, Osun, Ose, Ogbese, Ajilosun, Isewese, Atan – All of them fertility deities.
The role of Ado-Ekiti inwards the growth of Yoruba organized faith as well as politics intertwined as well as influenced the survival of Ewi’s realm spell co-habiting as well as co-existing with her subordinate as well as satellite towns as well as other neighbouring communities. The tenancy embedded inwards the spiritual organisation of the Ado-Ekiti layout inwards that era suffices. Narratives as well as archival materials embedded inwards the works of Chief J.E. Babatola (1976) written inwards concert with 31 Ado Chiefs every bit a rejoinder to a reconstruction of Ado history yesteryear Chief J.A. Fashubaa, the Oisa tallied with the historical approaches. It also highlighted the traditional panoramic stance of Ado-Ekiti inwards 1800s as well as the nature of her municipality as well as the grouping intersections of her 3 notable traditional sectors inwards a unique organisation that farther conceptualized the traditional components of the Ewi’s cabinet. The layout pattern was shown inwards a sketch that depicted the traditional layout of Ado landscape inwards the pre-colonial era (1800s) every bit reproduced yesteryear Chief J.E. Babatola on the re-arrangement of Ado landscape as well as Chieftaincies outset from the reign of Ewi Awamaro Source: 31 Ado Chiefs Rejoinder to Chief Oisa Fasuba’s Memo 1975/76
Ewi’s Realm –Territoriality as well as Politics of Division inwards Ewi’s Kingdom: At the peak of Ado-Ekiti influence inwards Ekiti dry ground inwards the 18th as well as 19th centuries, legend has it that Ado kingdom consisted of 150 (ewadojo) communities as well as that the metropolis of the kingdom was Ado-Ekiti Township where the Ewi every bit Sovereign superintended over the realm every bit the sovereign head. The Oluyin, the Alare, the Alaworoko, the Elesure, the Eleyio as well as the Onigbemo are really of import rulers of subordinate towns within the immediate precinct of the Ewi’s municipality. Within the Ewi’s Kingdom, heads of subordinate towns oftentimes performed specific political as well as spiritual roles as well as responsibilities inwards the service of the Kingdom inwards monastic tell to retain as well as sustain their human relationship with the powerful King spell supporting the layers of interrelations amongst towns inwards the realm. Legend has it that it was a tradition inwards Ado-Ekiti for influential members of the royal household (Omo Oba or Omo Owa) to live sent to subordinate Ado-Ekiti community to found novel dynasties on established settlements inwards buffer zones as well as borderland areas.
Rulers of subordinate towns similar Iyin-Ekiti (Uyin Alelagba) as well as Are-Ekiti were brothers as well as relations of the Ewi who co-existed as well as led their respective townships every bit co-ordinate lesser cities of Ado-Ekiti. They ruled inwards those towns with a stance to creating stability for the Ewi who was a ruler of higher importance inwards the main city, Ado-Ekiti, spell his brothers are rulers over lesser Ado towns where they maintained required importance as well as role to save the Ewi’s realm as well as attain an equation of heart as well as stability against Ewi’s potential regional neighbours. The existence of these chieftains aid to save Ewi’s involvement as well as to protect Ado-Ekiti from directly invasion yesteryear whatever ambitious adventurer since the chiefs stand upward for Ewi’s involvement inwards those subordinate as well as neighbouring towns, farm settlements, hamlets as well as subordinate towns. The headship of most of these towns was selected from the ruling lineage that was created yesteryear the senior chiefs, dependent to the ratification of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti.
J.O. Olubobokun inwards his works – Itan Iyin (1980) every bit corroborated yesteryear A.O. Oguntuyi (1986:9) asserted that Iyin is i of the subordinate towns of Ado-Ekiti founded yesteryear Oluyin Agbogbomaje, e.g. the sword bearer (Oluda) who accompanied Ewi Awamaro to settle inwards Ado earlier he was allocated dry ground to the West of Ado town as well as settled inwards a spot called Uro where he was later on joined yesteryear people of Ibedoyin, Oketoro as well as Okelawe inwards forming a total of 16 quarters which later on truncated into i town. The essence hither is that Iyin people were portion of Ado Kingdom that gained royal autonomy to co-exist every bit separate community nether the realm of the Ewi without severing traditional ties as well as blood relations with Ewi as well as Ado people. The deep traditional human relationship that existed betwixt the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti as well as the Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti for instance requiring those rulers of the subordinate towns some Ado-Ekiti to participate inwards specific rites at the decease or installation of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti tends to highlight the role of covenant renewal inwards the community for the continuity of Ewi’s ‘imperial’ or hegemonic status as well as influence inwards the subordinate Towns.
It is worth noting that, the rulers of these subordinate towns held rights of sovereignty similar to those wielded yesteryear the Ewi of Ado inwards making rules as well as that Llyod (1962:221) asserted that ‘the Ewi, nevertheless holds certainly sovereign rights over the entire Kingdom’. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 major characteristic is that each of the subordinate towns also has its separate rulers as well as chiefs, with a stair out of importance as well as observe fifty-fifty when they handgrip lesser status or rank inwards relation to the Ewi who takes preeminence over them due to his prominence, influence, traditional rights, military machine might, population as well as size of the realm.
In Ado-Ekiti, the championship of Ewi every bit a metropolitan sovereign is hereditary as well as alternatively contested yesteryear members of the 2 prominent ruling houses that had gained traditional preeminence within the royal household during flow nether review, whenever the stool of Ewi became vacant. Heads of subordinate towns inwards old Ado-Ekiti Kingdom may non live regarded every bit Baale (High Chiefs) every bit commonly seen inwards Yoruba communities of the Ibadan as well as Oyo country. Rather they were Traditional Rulers (Oba Ilu), though of lower status to the King-Emperor (Oba Alayeluwa or Oba lori Agbegbe) who resides inwards the main town, a spot occupied yesteryear the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti inwards the 19th century. In the circumstances where subjected towns as well as their rebellion-prone rulers were faraway or close but troublesome yesteryear striving for autonomy or independence from Ewi’s influence every bit identified inwards instance of the Alawe, the Olosi, the Olode, the Onijan as well as the Onimesi; rulers of other subordinate towns as well as Ewi’s chieftains were constantly on paw to banking concern check them against crisis that could create chaos or attract unusual invasions.
There is no uncertainty that the festering political human relationship betwixt dominant Ado as well as its old subordinate Ikere town played into the hands of Republic of Benin inwards 1815 every bit asserted thus: ‘…the rapid expansion of Ado brought it into conflict with Benin, some other powerfulness with imperialistic designs inwards Ekiti. Responding to the invitation yesteryear Ado’s neighbouring states who had acquire unduly alarmed yesteryear the consolidation as well as excesses of the Ewi’s power, Republic of Benin regular army invaded as well as subjugated Ado inwards add-on to overrunning most of the other Ekiti states some of whose ruling dynasties, every bit inwards Ikere, were replaced…’ G.O. Ogunremi as well as A. Adediran (eds) (1998:17)
The oral tradition of that fourth dimension depicted the irony of the rivalries as well as adversities attracted to the Ado Township as well as the Ewi when describing her bespeak for expansion inwards Ekiti every bit popularly recounted thus: ‘Ogun yeye, b’Ewi ja, Ajase I loo Ewi’ Meaning ‘Many are the adversity of the King of Ado-Ekiti (Ewi), but the powerfulness of triumph lies inwards his hands.’ The continuous opposition to Ewi’s paramountcy yesteryear a large number of Ekiti royalties across the dry ground is a pointer to the fearfulness inherent inwards Ewi’s notable majestic ambitions from 17th to 19th century, which became threats on the status as well as economic scheme of other notable towns, who were also aiming at prominence as well as equality within the regional powerfulness sharing construction of Ekiti country. No doubt, the characteristics of town formation inwards Ado-Ekiti surface area distinguish the woman parent town (the metropolis) where the most of import chiefs reside from the subordinate towns where other rulers existed.
Ado-Ekiti Society as well as Chief’s Status inwards the Towns inwards 1800s: There are the 2 major grades of chieftaincy titles inwards Ado-Ekiti every bit the ihare as well as ijoye. For instance, the ihare grade inwards Oke Ewi (one of the 3 Ado Quarters) is divided into 2 – The Senior chiefs known every bit Olori Marun as well as the junior chiefs consisting of 5 Elesi as well as 10 Ijegbe. High Chiefs (Baale) inwards Ado-Ekiti similar several others inwards dissimilar parts of Ekiti dry ground were the senior ranking cabinet members of the King-Emperor’s courtroom within the realm. They emerged every bit most senior chiefs representing recognized leading lineages as well as chemical compound (agbo ile), chieftaincy families as well as settlements inwards the 3 sectors as well as quarters of the main town.
The sectors from where the High Chiefs existed also consisted of their immediate abode as well as extended families, the existing lineages (idi) as well as groups which Llyod (1962:191) described every bit (idile or ebi) – the main patrilineage corporate group. Others inwards the sector are the abode as well as farm settlements of lesser chiefs as well as their families which Llyod (1962:55) regarded every bit hamlets (abule or Ileto) spell describing typical settlement patterns inwards Ekiti inwards comparing with those from Ijebu as well as Ondo country. By Ado traditions, descendants inwards the virile somebody line have got exclusive rights to dry ground inwards perpetuity dependent to communal rights of hunting as well as the Ewi’s correct every bit Sovereign ruler to certainly trees as well as game. Grant of dry ground to non-indigene requires permission of Ewi as well as his Chiefs to forestall subtle arrival of unknown strangers who could halt upward every bit agents of hostile communities or invaders planning to assault the realm.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 reflection of this tradition embedded inwards the status of rulers of subordinate towns upward to the 19th century replayed itself during the settlement of a dry ground dispute betwixt the Oluyin as well as Odofinyin inwards 1940. It was pronounced according to native law as well as customs that the Oluyin could non arbitrarily impel himself on the traditional rights of his chiefs though he held an incontestable spot every bit the Head Chief (Ruler) of Uyin Ekiti (a subordinate town) of Ado-Ekiti. This determination was derived from the tradition that everyone inwards Ado Township has his paternal as well as maternal dry ground over which the ruler has no ownership or directly control. The Ewi’s controls over dry ground yesteryear tradition were limited to areas designated every bit royal lands, world or opened upward dry ground where the attending of Ewi as well as his chiefs should live sought. By tradition, Ado people would naturally challenge Ewi’s intrusion on theater unit of measurement lands as well as revolt against him if world dry ground had been tampered with, unless the consent of Ado chiefs as well as the people were sought as well as gotten. P.C. Llyod (1962:200) noted that the Ewi’s 1940 crisis could live traced to these traditions because he was alleged to have got breached same yesteryear alienating palace dry ground for reverse purposes.
In the 1800s, heads of most hamlets as well as villages inwards Ado kingdom were Ewi’s chiefs or rulers of subordinate towns who dominion inwards the subordinate towns though lesser inwards rank as well as status to Ewi. They are non servile but were subservient to Ado monarch. The import of the higher upward explanation is that the lesser Kings as well as Chiefs whose towns surround the main town were autonomous as well as allowed to operate the running of their local affairs as well as economic scheme as well as inwards taking decisions which did non conflict with the Ado scheme of governance, political tradition as well as civilization nor attract the involvement of the King-Emperor to adjudicate upon.
The Ewi inwards Council as well as organisation of Ado-Ekiti Chiefs from the 1800s: The Intelligence Report produced inwards November, 1933 yesteryear N.A.C. Weir could non essentially create adequate information on ancient organisation of Ado-Ekiti due to his inability to elicit required information from the local people. Rather he concluded from his observations that the information is non-existent. Yet he wrote thus: ’…In Ado at that spot is an aboriginal theater unit of measurement inwards a number of towns or villages…It is hence hard the to a greater extent than hard to describe their ancient organisation because they know cypher of their history prior to their migration here. They came with their organisation consummate as well as at that spot is cypher of their history to demo how it was built up. Whole villages accompanied the Ewi to this portion of the Ekiti dry ground as well as every bit a powerful settler, he parceled out what dry ground at that spot was. The aboriginals were so scattered or so weak that they could offering no resistance to his advance as well as followed the only course of instruction left to them, that of securing the skillful volition of the fresh arrivals…’
From various accounts of Ado history, Ado-Ekiti with her farm settlements was the largest kingdom inwards the Ekiti Confederation, though Ado inwards itself is an amalgam of 3 constituent sectors largely brought together after the Ewi’s conquest of Ilesun every bit OKE EWI, ODO ADO, as well as OGBON META (three coordinate as well as equal settlements of Oke Ila, Odo Ora as well as Oke Efon).
Llyod amongst others asserted that at that spot were no records of the ranking of chiefs earlier the 20th century because most lineages grew inwards size, yesteryear the absorption of Ado citizens of other lineages as well as yesteryear increases due to possession of slaves spell the to a greater extent than regular pattern inwards the town consists of 5 or half-dozen lineages, with each of constituting a quarter where at that spot be those who handgrip senior titles inwards relation to those with junior titles, whether or non hereditary. Many of Ewi’s chiefs as well as town settlers within Ado-Ekiti autumn into i of the next 3 categories regardless of their emerging importance as well as role inwards the activities as well as authorities of Ewi’s Kingdom yesteryear 1800 viz. a. The Aboriginals as well as Early Settlers b. The Ewi’s Royal Court as well as companion settlers c. The adventurers as well as immigrant settlers who the Ewi granted citizenship status
Among the aboriginal as well as early on settlers are groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet. Some of the Chiefs which Ewi met inwards Ado are: a. Odolofin inwards Odo Ado Sector b. Olora inwards Ogbon Meta Sector c. Asawa from Odo Ado Sector
Members of the Ewi royal courts as well as accompanying Chieftains inwards the groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet include: a. Aro inwards Odo Ado Sector b. Arowa inwards Oke Ewi Sector
Adventurers as well as immigrant settlers of Ewi who became citizens as well as chieftains inwards the groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet include: a. Alarerin inwards Ogbon Meta Sector from Oke Ila via Ila Orangun b. Odofin inwards Odo Ado Sector from Oba (now Oba Ile) close Akure c. Ejigbo inwards Oke Ewi Sector from Imesi Lasigidi (Now Imesi-Ekiti) East of Ado d. The Esewa inwards Oke Ewi Sector who came from Esewa, Ido Ani e. The Ola inwards Eleyinmi, Oke Ewi Sector who came from Ode-Ekiti f. The Sasere inwards Oke Ewi Sector who came from Omuo at nowadays North East
The number of High Chiefs whose status qualify them every bit senior cabinet members (ihare) inwards the Ewi inwards Council inwards the 19th century were twelve inwards number as well as their role was designed inwards the plough of that century, non necessarily yesteryear their seniority, but yesteryear their importance as well as contributions to Ewi’s traditional control for the advancement of Ado’s political stability as well as progress higher upward other traditional chiefs (ijoye) of the Ewi. The twelve senior chiefs were drawn from the 3 major traditional sectors of Ado-Ekiti classified below:
OKE EWI SECTOR Odogun (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Interior Minister as well as Head of Okeyinmi Quarters) Ejigbo (Ewi’s Traditional Chamberlain as well as Head of Ijigbo Quarters) Baisaya (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Baisaya Quarters) Asa (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Asa Quarters) Sasere (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Sasere Quarters)
ODO ADO SECTOR Odofin (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Idofin Quarters) Aro (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Ularo Quarters) Odolofin (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Udolofin Quarters) Edemo (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Udemo Quarters)
OGBON META SECTOR Alarerin (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Oke Ila Quarters) Olora (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Odo Ora Quarters) Odunro (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Odo Uro Quarters)
Ado-Ekiti 1800s turbulence as well as the advent of British Colonial Rule: Much of the flow betwixt the slow 1700 as well as early on 1800s, were periods of dislocation as well as resettlements for Ado-Ekiti Kingdom. According to A.O. Oguntuyi (1986:13-17): ‘The evolution of the Ado Kingdom was seriously affected yesteryear external invasion. These resulted inwards serial of demographic upheavals with settlements constantly moved from i site to another. The most serious of these external invasions were yesteryear the Edo of Benin. They attacked as well as destroyed many settlements…in the Ado Kingdom…The Binis were invited yesteryear Ogoga, the tertiary fourth dimension the Binis were so invited to settle the quarrel betwixt Ado as well as Ikere. The line of activity they resolved to adopt was to convey all the villages nether the ewi to Ikere, settle them at that spot as well as inwards this way Ikere would live equal or fifty-fifty bigger than Ado. Ado would as well as then live afraid of Ikere. The Republic of Benin soldiers came…and sent words to the Ewi Aroloye…He refused to surrender. He did non inwards whatever way demo that he was non ready for fight. Every town or hamlet nether him except Ijan were prepared to fight…The Republic of Benin soldiers stormed Igbara-Odo as well as Ilawe as well as took them. At this time, Ado town had been vacated. Aroloye took the people to a spot called Oke Oko Axis betwixt Ifaki as well as Iworoko. Most of the gods Ado worshipped on that side: Olua at Eyio, Obanifon at Esure as well as Are, Ogbese as well as Orisala at Iworoko. The soldiers pitched their camps close Uyin (Iyin)…Ogbesi Okun, the as well as then Oluyin …was conquered as well as killed. They proceeded to Igede, Awo as well as Esure as well as took them. The inhabitants of Igede as well as then uder Okiribiti were driven inwards a north-easternly direction to a spot called Oke Asha…Edo troops as well as then marched to Iworoko…The soldiers entered Are…The same fate befell Afao. They were all taken to Ikere. The soldiers moved to Igbemo …entered Igbo-Omoba (now Ilu-Omoba)…The soldiers left Aisegba for Agbado as well as without delay took it as well as evacuated the people. Agbado was the in conclusion spot nether the Ewi. With the conquest, of Agbado, the soldiers seemed to have got finished their job…’
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe III during the 2013 Udiroko Cultural Festival
Isola Olomola (2005:8-12) dwell extensively on the panoramic stance of Ekiti inwards nearly 1800. He noted that the ravages of invaders as well as slave raiders from Benin, Nupe-Fulani, Ilorin-Fulani as well as Ibadan dry ground turned many medium sized towns as well as large number of villages into turmoil, political as well as social turbulence. Drawing on the characteristics as well as legend of traditional settlements inwards Ekiti dry ground with reference to major Kingdoms of Ado, Ikole, Ijero as well as Moba, Olomola (2005:9) asserted thus: ‘Each Kingdom consisted of a major (mother) town as well as a few or numerous subordinate communities spell each city-state comprised a main town as well as a dyad of villages as well as cottages. Each Kingdom or metropolis province was, to all intent as well as purposes, a territorial unit of measurement over which its Oba (ruler), for all practical purposes, was sovereign from its inception…The Oba of the woman parent town wore crowns as well as lived a life governed yesteryear protocol, spell the heads of subordinate communities …wore crown lets (orikogbofo) as well as caps...No portion of Ekiti was spared the agony of imperialist invasions…The rampaigning Republic of Benin armies sacked Ogotun, Aramoko, some subordinate communities of Ijero, Ado communities such every bit Are, Afao, Ugbo (now Ilu) Omoba as well as Agbado as well as settled a large pct of the haul of captives therefrom inwards Ikere, their garrison post. The Nupe-Fulani…armies invaded Gbonyin district of Ado…Between 1845 as well as 1846, these invaders sacked… (Ekiti) towns as well as ravaged the countryside…Balogun Ibikunle led Ibadan armies to the rescue…and later on inwards 1850 turned the intervention to punitive wars …Ibadan chiefs led their personal armies into Ekiti as well as next communities…In Jan 1873, the Aare Momo (Mohammed) Latosisa launched a total scale invasion of fundamental as well as northern Ekiti…sacked Ado as well as many of its subordinate communities…’
During the flow of Ado-Ekiti dispersal as well as relocation inwards slow 1700 as well as after the homecoming of Ewi as well as other settlers to their original abode inwards mid 1800, small-scale modifications inwards the settlement organisation occurred inwards communities exterior Ado metropolis wall as well as inwards the opened upward dry ground available occupied yesteryear royal household as well as other settlers apart from areas taken over yesteryear larger chieftains after the dispersal of some Ado chieftains who resettled elsewhere when Ewi returned to Ado metropolis. Most communities which returned with the Ewi re-occupied their original quarters/ settlements to rebuild them except those who moved from their original settlements exterior the Ado township walls into the main town inwards monastic tell to bring down the directly impact of attacks yesteryear invaders on them whenever hostilities broke out. The modification that affected dry ground business as well as re-allocation, border relations as well as safety were aimed at reducing imminent threats to Ewi’s Kingdom. Hence, the traditional layout allowed for creation of novel quarters inwards the main town to maintain solidarity, military machine back upward as well as boost the farming economy.
Ewi Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (1886-1910) had a peaceful reign devoid of Ikere attacks. This was made possible yesteryear the fact that Ado wars with Ikere ended through the peace covenant initiated yesteryear a Prince - Oba Oyinbolaja (Oba Dadi). He was reported to have got convinced the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti as well as the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti to have got colonial dominion of the white adult man as well as to halt human sacrifices. When the Ewi accepted colonial rule, he sent emissaries to Captain R.L Bower (the Resident as well as Travelling Commissioner of Interior Yoruba inwards 1894) through the aid of Ifamuboni (later Babamboni) as well as and then Ado-Ekiti was regarded every bit a territory within the British Protectorate. It was recorded that Mr. Campbell was the initiatory off Briton to see Ado-Ekiti for province of affairs assessment as well as written report inwards observe of Kiriji Proclamations at the termination of the Yoruba wars.
In the concern human relationship of Ewi Anirare Aladesanmi II (1977:9) he noted that the Peace Treaty signed on i hand, betwixt the Ekitis as well as their Ife as well as Ijebu allies with Ibadan inwards 1886 made Ekitis (Ado-Ekiti inclusive) independent nether the British Government of Lagos, though no directly colonial management was witnessed until the setting upward of Ekiti Council for members of Ekiti Confederacy on 21 June 1900. The efforts of Evangelist Isaac Ifamuboni (later Babamuboni) as well as a number of early on Christians from Lagos, Abeokuta as well as Ibadan who introduced the tillage of cocoa, maize, dark-brown cocoyam as well as made wage earning labourers to go from Ado-Ekiti to piece of work inwards Ondo, Ijebu as well as Ife inwards monastic tell to boost the tillage of economical trees inwards the early on portion of 1900s were legend of the closing historic flow of that era. The contact of the Ewi as well as Ado people with the British opened a novel chapter for Ado Kingdom inwards the 20th century. It was a chapter that eventually resulted inwards elevation of Ado-Ekiti every bit a District headquarters of Ekiti Native Authority inwards Ondo Province (of Northeastern Yoruba Territories) which formed portion of the Western Region inwards the Colony as well as Protectorate of Nigeria (now the Federal Republic of Nigeria) as well as is today, the working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State.
The gradual interruption downward as well as fierce apart of Ewi’s Kingdom after 19th century yesteryear the advent of British colonial dominion is made poignant with the grant of political as well as territorial autonomy to various towns as well as villages nether Ewi’s influence inwards the pre-colonial era. This is farther strengthened yesteryear the creation of modern local authorities scheme as well as the composition of Council of Chiefs with the re-grading of the status of Chiefs as well as granting of total autonomies to natural rulers inwards several communities.
Recent times
Chief J.E. Babatola (1995) noted that Ado Ekiti remains a geographical as well as historic centre of Ekitiland, a nuclear setting amongst the old 16 Kingdoms as well as the political administrative arrangements that succeeded them supported it. The originally 16 associated kingdoms that spanned the Ekiti dry ground had diplomatic ties which depended much for a proper functioning on the role that the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti as well as the General of his Army played inwards sustaining harmony inwards the entire Ekiti territory. He asserted that the kingdoms of Egbe Oba (Ikole) as well as Ijero gave Ado-Ekiti continual back upward inwards playing a leadership role. Hence, the traditional ties as well as leadership role of Ado-Ekiti as well as the fundamental spot of Ewi’s Kingdom amongst the 3 potential rulers of Ekitiland inwards its medieval flow of history suffice.
In the course of instruction of the history of Ekiti, only kingdoms exterior a directly centrifugal influence exerted from Ado-Ekiti were those of Otun, Ishan, Ayede as well as Emure, 3 of them inwards the extreme due north as well as i on the extreme south. During the advent of colonial dominion inwards Ekiti, betwixt 1899 as well as 1912, the British Colonial Government administered Ekitiland from Oke Imo as well as from 1913 decided to take Ado-Ewi every bit a convenient centre for its Ekiti administration, spell changing the town’s call to Ado-Ekiti inwards recognition that Ado-Ekiti is the nervus centre of Ekiti people’s social as well as economical activities. In the areas of religious harmony inwards Ekiti affairs, major religious activities designed for Ekiti especially for both the Anglican as well as the Roman Catholic Churches, have got Ado-Ekiti every bit the Seat of their Bishops. In the academic field, Ado-Ekiti is the spot of the Federal Polytechnic as well as the Ondo State University (now renamed Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti). The location of these institutions hence bears witness to the central-ness of Ado Ekiti inwards the pump of Ekitiland.
Chief J.E. Babatola also indicated that most of the organizations that made demands for the creation of an Ekiti State wanted Ado-Ekiti every bit its working capital alphabetic character because Ado-Ekiti is uniquely a natural setting capable of resultant evolution of its landscape as well as facilities inwards a way to assist the finance of the management of a novel State. Part of the summary of the presentation to Mbanefo’s Panel on State Creation for the choice of Ado-Ekiti every bit the State Capital inwards Chief Babatola’s submission was his presentation of the Ekiti Map where he referred to the population sizes of Ekitis as well as showed that the percentages yielded yesteryear the population of Ekiti North (headquarters at Ikole), Ijero (headquarters at Ijero) as well as Ero (headquarters at Ido Ekiti) are respectively 13.03, 0.93, as well as 15.35, spell that of Ado stood at 28.43% of their entire population. He noted that inwards using a map of Ekiti produced earlier Akure opted out of the Ekiti confederacy inwards 1946, the centre of residual geometrically inwards Ekitiland betwixt 1913 as well as 1946 was Itaipe surface area (the picnic Earth at Ado-Ekiti). He highlighted the efforts of Ado-Ekiti people to brand the Ekiti Division of Ondo Province attain evolution inwards damage of route transportation, creation of dry ground banking concern for concern as well as official usage through existence of route infrastructures to link the town with the other Ekiti administrative divisions, extensive Government Reservation Areas to theater authorities officials (i.e. District Officers, judges as well as magistrates), the Ewi-in-Council 1975 augmentation of Government efforts yesteryear creation of dry ground banking concern for evolution purposes, construction of several buildings yesteryear the Federal as well as State Governments for the official usage of the administrative, judiciary, police clitoris as well as prison theater departments, existing communication facilities as well as adequate provision for effective management of justice as well as safety of lives inwards Ekitiland which is at its best inwards Ado-Ekiti. He noted that since Ekitis naturally come upward to Ado-Ekiti regularly as well as settle at that spot inwards large numbers to do concern as well as contribute enormously to the increased prosperity of Ekiti people, Ado-Ekiti is a befitting spot to site the capital. He concluded that ‘…Ado-Ekiti is already a fortunate property with no liability attached inwards setting upward the apparatus for a province capital…”
Ado-Ekiti eventually became the working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State when the province was created on 1 Oct 1996. The demand for equity amongst Ekiti people as well as equality of Ekiti Kingdoms was brought to lite inwards the agitation for the location of the province working capital alphabetic character inwards dissimilar communities; no portion of Ekiti would reckon itself every bit subordinate or less developed to the others. This is the politics of evolution inwards modern Ekiti State since 1999 as well as i of the major challenges of political governance, leadership aspirations as well as policy making.
Political violence sparked a protestation march inwards Ado-Ekiti inwards Jan 2009. Residents took to the streets demanding authorities activity next a spate of political violence involving reported murders, assassination attempts, as well as at to the lowest degree i arson of a journalist's home.[2]
Demographics
Some 50 years ago, the metropolis began to grow/expand beyond its peripheries as well as ancient gates as well as ramparts. In 1963, the metropolis was the largest urban centre inwards nowadays Ondo as well as Ekiti States as well as its population of 158,000 at the census of that yr represented it every bit the most populous urban centre inwards Eastern Yorubaland. The 1991 population count confirmed the primacy of the city, at to the lowest degree inwards Ekiti. The creation of Ekiti State inwards Oct 1996 as well as the establishment of province working capital alphabetic character at Ado-Ekiti volition farther heighten the city's physical development.
The phenomenal growth as well as evolution mentioned higher upward have got been due to many factors. Many of these are citizens of Ado urban, some are citizens of Ado rural, some are stranger elements, a dyad of them are fifty-fifty Europeans as well as other expatriates. The citizenry warmly welcomed these development. For example, when the main route from the National Bank junction, through Erekesan as well as Ereguru to Ojumose was tarred inwards 1952 as well as the major route from Ajilosun through Ijigbo, Orereowu, Okesa as well as Obada etc. a subdivision of Akure - Ilorin road, was tarred inwards 1956, the really welcome evolution was rendered inwards pop juju songs, i of which rang:
Baba wa te 'ri oda l'ado (Our fathers walked on tarred roads at Ado)
Ko o bi ko e e (what a delight, what a delight)
e e o (very good so)
Ko o bi ko e e (What a delight, what a delight)
The layout of Ado-Ewi drawn upward as well as successfully implemented from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro as well as enlarged yesteryear Ewi Gberubioya were only slightly modified to address the issues of border relations, internal safety as well as reduction of threats to the heartland of Ewi’s Kingdom after the turbulence as well as wars of 19th century. Since the era of Ewi Awamaro, the blueprint of Ado-Ewi Layout had been implemented inwards a mode that left the initiatory off settlers relocated exterior the vicinity of the Ewi’s Palace inwards an organisation that left the community some Ewi inwards a preferred order. Ewi’s palace was initiatory off built where Chief Arowa at nowadays resides unopen to Erekesan (King’s Market). The layout was portion of the physical features inwards the traditional settings as well as layout of Ado-Ekiti, the panoramic stance every bit at the outset of 1800. Ewi Akulojuorun (1781-1808), Ewi Aroloye (1808-1836) who reigned at Ado but was attacked successively yesteryear Republic of Benin hordes.
Ado-Ekiti was a 3 sector traditional grouping with its unique organisation of its ingredient traditional entities inwards the Ewi’s traditional cabinet. The 3 major traditional political divisions of Ado-Ekiti with their unique graphic explanation of the Ewi’s traditional cabinet are every bit shown inwards the historical graph produced yesteryear Chief J.E. Babatola with 31 Ado Chiefs every bit a Rejoinder to Chief Oisa Fasuba’s Memo 1975/76 on the organisation of Ado landscape as well as Chieftaincy outset from the reign of Ewi Awamaro. It shows that Ado-Ekiti consist of OKE EWI, ODO ADO as well as OGBON META.
Religion
Among the most conspicuous of the bully changes were the introduction as well as expansion of Christianity as well as Islam. Christian missions especially of the CMS, Roman Catholic, Baptist, African Church as well as Methodist, later on the Cherubum as well as Seraphim as well as Apostolic Church took root as well as expanded during the 20th century. Each of these Christian communities established numerous churches such that yesteryear 1970, the CMS (Anglican) as well as the Roman Catholic had grown so fast that they had acquire dioceses with their headquarters as well as seats of bishops inwards Ado-Ekiti. The 2 missions had 3 grammer schools, the number increased to 5 inwards 1990. The growth of Christian communities was really rapid betwixt 1970 as well as 2000; novel missions as well as denominations Pentecostal, Charismatic, Evangelical as well as Episcopal arose, swelling upward existing communions. Altogether over i hundred churches were recorded inwards the metropolis inwards the yr 2000.
The Muslim community did non lag behind, the faith spread. The fundamental mosque was built nearly 1930 as well as thereafter, a number of mosques were built inwards Idemo, Umayo, Isato (Irona), Ogbonado, Okesa, Oke-Ila etc. The Ansar-Ud-Deen emerged inwards the early on 1940s. As a affair of fact, the number of mosques as well as the number of Muslims who have got performed the Hajj tin readily come upward to paw every bit indices of expansion. The number of mosques increased substantially with the growing number of well-to-do Muslim who build mosques every bit annexes to their individual homes; yesteryear the yr 2000, to a greater extent than than 40 mosques could live counted inwards the city. By 1960, only Alhaji Akorede had performed the Hajj but the number of Alhajs increased inwards the 1970s as well as steadily increased inwards the 1980s as well as 1990s.
Education
In contemporary times, western educational activity had been the trend throughout Ekiti. Ado-Ekiti took the Pb with the number of educational institutions.
In March 1896, Old Emmanuel School was established at Odo Aremu. In 1917, the Roman Catholic Mission established St. Patrick's Primary School. By the 1950s, the number of primary as well as secondary modern schools had increased really substantially. By 1974, the CMS lone had 104 primary schools, 8 secondary schools, as well as a teachers' college.
In the early on 1930s, the Venerable Archdeacon Henry. Dallimore superintendent of the CMS mission established Christ's School inwards 1933. It was raised yesteryear the priest to a Middle School as well as finally towards the halt of the 1940s it became a full-fledged Grammar School. He was succeeded every bit Principal as well as High Master yesteryear Canon LD Mason from 1948-1966. Chief RA Ogunlade was Principal from 1966 to 1972. Christs School, Ado-Ekiti has contributed greatly to the educational as well as scientific advancement of Nigeria inwards full general as well as Ondo-province inwards particular. Within a brusque bridge of fourth dimension Christs schoolhouse had produced i of the highest numbers of Professors inwards virtually all fields of learning as well as especially the professions inwards Nigeria. Christ school, was indeed, i of the footing of the epithet that Ekiti is the "fountain of knowledge". Another possible explanation for the "fountain of knowledge" sobriquet for Ekiti inwards general, is the historical fact that Agboniregun the progenitor of Ifa corpus of knowledge inwards Yoruba cosmology, also had Ekiti roots. Christs schoolhouse Alumni are found inwards academia as well as professions some the globe today. In the early on 1950s, the Ekiti Progressive Union built a instant grammer schoolhouse at Ido-Ekiti the Ekiti Parapo College, inwards celebration of the overthrow of the Ibadan overlordship next the Kiriji or Ekiti Parapo war. Soon after the CMS agreed to separate Christ's School into 2 (boys' subdivision as well as Girls' Section)-as a resultant of the major road(Iworoko Road) which naturally divided the 2 sections into two) viz: Christ's School,Ado Ekiti as well as Christ's Girls' School,Ado Ekiti.
Thence forth, communities took it inwards their strides to lift funds as well as constitute a number of community grammer schools. Ado-Ekiti established its ain inwards 1960 as well as some other i towards the halt of the 1970s. The number of Grammar Schools kept increasing as well as yesteryear the yr 2000, at that spot were twelve student grammer schools, individual grammer schools numbered six, a total of eighteen. The Federal Government established its polytechnic at Ikewo, Ado-Ekiti, the defunct Ondo State University established its University at Ilewu, Ado-Ekiti.
Within a flow of 50 years, much evolution inwards western educational activity had taken spot inwards Ekiti inwards full general as well as Ado-Ekiti inwards particular. Chief E. A. Babalola, a native of Oye-Ekiti was initiatory off University graduate inwards Ekiti. Chief Alex olu Ajayi was the initiatory off graduate from Ado-Ekiti graduating BA (HONS) from Fourah Bay College, inwards 1953, followed yesteryear a postgraduate diploma inwards Education from the University of London inwards 1954. Thereafter, Ado Ekiti has produced many illustrious sons as well as daughters from globe cast universities, many of whom are professors inwards many scientific, medical, social sciences, Engineering as well as humanities disciplines within barely one-half a century. . Chief E Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Babalola from Oye-Ekiti was a high schoolhouse master copy inwards 1947 as well as he took over the direction of Christ's High School, Ado-Ekiti when Archdeacon Dallimore retired as well as left for Britain. Today, the Ekitis are found inwards large numbers inwards every academic as well as professional person positions, Ado-Ekiti has a disproportionate impact inwards the academic globe both inwards Nigeria as well as globally.
Economy
Tremendous evolution took spot inwards the tillage of economical crops, tillage as well as collection of woods products such every bit kolanut (cola acuminata, Obi abata as well as cola nitida, gbanja) as well as crude oil palm produce, commerce as well as trade. Much of the impetus of all these came initially from Mr. Isaac Ifamuboni (later Babamuboni) as well as a number of early on Christians from Lagos, Abeokuta as well as Ibadan. These men introduced the tillage of cocoa, maize, dark-brown cocoyam etc. to Ekiti. Wage earning labourers from parts of Ekiti who went to piece of work inwards Ondo, Ijebu as well as Ife boosted the tillage of these economical trees.
Ewi Aladesanmi II encouraged the tillage of cash crops as well as establishment of trading as well as commercial enterprises amongst Ado citizenry. The Urhobo came into Ado communities inwards the early on 1940s with their ain mode of palm crude oil extraction. The Ebira came inwards large numbers inwards the 1940s as well as 1950s introducing the tillage of their ain specie of yams, cassava as well as beans. In the early on 1950s, Igbemo, as well as Ado community started the tillage of rice, the trend spread to Iworoko inwards the 1960s as well as shortly inwards the 1970s to other Ekiti communities such every bit Erio etc. These nutrient crops boosted nutrient production as well as contributed to the sustenance of the growing population of Ado communities, especially Ado-Ekiti, as well as yesteryear extension, other Ekiti as well as non-Ekiti communities.
The progress made inwards Western education, tillage of nutrient crop as well as of economical trees, every bit good every bit the establishment of commercial ventures brought bully turn a profit to Ado-Ekiti. In the early on 1940s large fourth dimension commercial firms (companies) such every bit U.A.C as well as inwards later on years John Holt, U.T.C, C.F.A.O, established factories inwards the city. The Post as well as Telegraph at nowadays (NIPOST) established a station inwards this metropolis inwards 1947/48 causing posting as well as collection of mails at the District Officer's business office at Ayoba to cease. In 1958, pipe-borne H2O facility was provided making Ado-Ekiti the initiatory off town inwards nowadays Ondo as well as Ekiti States to relish the facility. Two years later, ECN (now NEPA) extended electricity to the city. These facilities enhanced/increased commercial activities as well as brought immense socio-economic do goodness as well as improved touchstone of life to the people. From the 1950s, commercial banks, at initiatory off the National Bank, the Union Bank, as well as inwards the 1960s as well as 1970s Co-operative Bank as well as United Bank for West Africa, opened their branch offices inwards Ado-Ekiti.
In the early on 1970s, Brigadier RA Adebayo, the instant military machine Governor of Western Region partnered with Mr Soliman Nagarty to extablish a Textile factory at Ado-Ekiti ( Western Nigeria Textile Industry Corporation) or WESTEXINCO)
Sport
Ado Ekiti has a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 as well as a tertiary sectionalization professional person football game league team.
Oye-Ekiti
Oye is i of the 16th kingdoms of Ekiti land. Oye-Ekiti people are a grouping of the south-western
Yoruba, inhabiting the administrative headquarters’ of the nowadays Oye Local Government surface area of Ekiti State. The Old Oye kingdom comprises of 5 villages namely Oye, Ire, Egosi, Eshetta, (Egosi as well as Eshetta have got come upward together every bit Ilupeju) as well as Arigidi Ekiti (now Ayegbaju) as well as covers an surface area of nearly 64 foursquare miles (NationalArchive, Ibadan). The population of Oye-Ekiti according to the 1952 national census was 13,696, (National Archive, Ibadan), 57,196 inwards 1963 as well as inwards 2006 the population was 168,251(National Population Commission 2006).
Oye-Ekiti is located at a full general height some 1500 feet with hills as well as granite outcrops rising to nearly 200 feet. It is covered yesteryear thick woods with really little patches of high woods as well as is surrounded yesteryear hills which render her protection inwards times of war. In fact, the hills were a approving to the people especially during the Republic of Benin invasion inwards the 19th century (Akintoye 1921).
The source of Oye Ekiti which is also known every bit Obalatanland is associated with the founder
of the town, Oloyemoyin who was born inwards Imore district of Ile Ife (Owoyomi 1995). Thus, the
call Oye was coined from his call ‘Oloyemoyin’, a call supposedly lay together because of the circumstances surrounding the nascence of the founder of Oye who was said to have got been born during a terrible as well as ‘hostile’ harmattam which unremarkably blows from the Sahara desert over as well as across due north Africa countries as well as to all parts of Nigeria. And to save his life, he was kept inwards a dark room with woman somebody deity called ‘Obalatan’ for an unspecified flow of time.
Thus, he was observed every bit a wonderful prince whose nascence had been accompanied yesteryear a horrible
harmattan, while, traditional lamps were lit as well as arranged inwards the room both hateful solar daytime as well as dark to hold the room warm, coupled with the harmattan was the attendant dryness of his mother’s pectus so much that she could non pectus feed him as well as rather he was fed with honey inwards spot of pectus milk. This is why he was named Oloyemoyin, pregnant a harbinger of harmattan who fed on honey as well as this is limited inwards the cognomen to the kid as well as yesteryear extension all autochthons of Oye as; Omo Oloye, Omo ora ufe ketaana Osan gangan, pregnant that Oloye is an aboriginal boy of Ile-Ife who ever lay on lite during the hateful solar daytime (Oye Progressive Union 1994).
According to available oral evidence, the prince left Ile-Ife inwards society of his blood brother Ogunlire, the acclaimed founder of Ire-Ekiti, with a remarkable entourage, equipped with large armies, unsmooth weaponry, commanders, seers, oracles, priests as well as subtle counselors. The entourage on their way from Ile-Ife initiatory off settled at Ule Oye Ora (National Archive Ibadan). At Oye Odo Ora, the aborigines were non happy with such intrusion as well as every bit a resultant fought as well as scattered them. They, therefore, moved to a novel settlement as well as called it Oye Ekiti, spell Ogunlire migrated as well as settled inwards Ire-Ekiti. Some settled inwards Egosi, as well as others conquered Eshetta as well as Arigidi while, Oye-Ekiti became the caput of these towns as well as Oloye was recognized yesteryear them every bit their leader beingness the eldest boy of theirmother, Yeye Aiye (National Achive, District Officer Diary Ibadan). (click here: http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T%20&%20T/T%20&%20T-09-0-000-11-Web/T%20&%20T-09-2-000-11-Abst-PDF/S-T&T-09-2-123-11-221-Onipede-K-J/S-T&T-09-2-123-11-221-Onipede-K-J-Tt.pdf)
Ikere-Ekiti
“The initiatory off Olukere came from Ile-Ife as well as founded Ikere, much later, the initiatory off Ogoga, a hunter, left his base of operations inwards Republic of Benin as well as came to Ikere on a hunting spree. Reaching Ikere, he went as well as stayed with the Olukere at his palace. As fourth dimension passed by, the number of people bringing cases to the Olukere for settlement started increasing yesteryear the hateful solar daytime until it reached a dot when he could non do everything alone. He as well as then asked Ogoga to go as well as remain at Iro to attend to the people on his behalf spell he, the Olukere would go on with other traditional assignments. The Ogoga started carrying out the project assigned to him until he eventually attained the spot of authority.”
As ordained yesteryear tradition, Ogoga as well as Olukere usually run across i time a yr during the Olosunta festival. That day, Olukere wears his crown spell the Ogoga exactly wears a cap. Today, both Ogoga as well as Olukere are, inwards the best involvement of the people, mostly seen every bit the head. And both are on the authorities payroll.
Ogoga as well as Olukere alive inwards 2 dissimilar worlds. The attainment of University Degree lay Ogoga at the forefront spell Olukere a really intelligent as well as i who fully understands the scientific discipline of powerfulness sharing continues every bit the traditional head. However, i thing they both have got inwards mutual is the science to empathise the want of their subjects as well as of winning their confidence. If anything, they assay non to subscribe to the thought of absolute monarch.
Ikere, inwards its uniqueness, remains a complex society, a piffling conglomerate inwards its ain right. History reveals that the resident of Ikere had their source from dissimilar towns as well as cities inwards Yoruba land.
They are people whose existence defines unity as well as their nickname, “Ekiti Parapo,” echoes it proudly. Welcome to the only metropolis ruled yesteryear 2 Kings. Ikere-Ekiti, “a wonderland wallowing inwards an admixture of profound civilization as well as tenacious cultural learning “. Headline, a reputable Nigerian Newspaper which initiatory off ran this story described it every bit “an expansive metropolis lucky plenty to escape beingness choked yesteryear the mighty rocks that dots its western part”. Ladies as well as gentlemen, this is the story of Ikere – a bully metropolis located on the southern portion of Ekiti State inwards Nigeria.
Royalty is a rich literary as well as artistic tradition, which has influenced the evolution of cultures some the world. This is maybe i of the reasons people have got such a high regard for the establishment of royalty. Royalty, with its rich history is i within a geographical location such every bit a city, or a nation. One King as well as i Queen inwards England, i King inwards Morocco, i inwards Norway, Argentina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as so on. But 2 Kings, otherwise known every bit “Obas” inwards Ikere-Ekiti! Oduduwa, the founding begetter of the Yoruba dry ground established Ile-Ife, the traditional headquarters of the Yorubas. He never had a instant or complementary King or Oba. There has never been 2 Oonis reigning simultaneously inwards Ile-Ife.
Battle-loving Aare Onakakanfo wielded tremendous influence inwards the old Oyo Empire, yet Oyo maintains i Alafin. Ibadan, the largest metropolis inwards West Africa had ever had powerful personalities. Among those inwards the outset was Efunsetan Aniwura. Yet, Ibadan had never introduced 2 Olubadan.
Ogedengbe, the intractable warrior inwards Ijesa land, was a personality to behold. Ilesa never introduced 2 Agunlejikas because of him. Osogbo as well as Osun are almost synonymous. Ataoja, nontheless, is the only recognized Oba inwards Osogbo. There has ever been i Oba (each metropolis inwards Yoruba land), i Emir (Hausa land), as well as i Obi (Ibo land).
Itapa
Itapa is i of the towns inwards Ekiti dry ground which sprang from odufuwa of life as well as Owatapa is the head. Itapa is i of the goddess beingness worshipped at Ile-ife. Its festival is held for a flow of 30 days as well as worshipped yesteryear Ooni as well as his people till today. It is worshipped till today. The festival is called Utaale at Itapa.
Ifa devotees of Itapa
Amowa as well as Elepe, sons of Oduduwa left Ile-ife with their mother, they also came with 2 friends known every bit Elemo as well as Baaro. These people were hunters. At a phase Elepe took his exit as well as settled at i of Itapa's farms called Osin, Another blood brother of Amowa settled inwards Itapa farm called Ijelu as well as he later on became Elejelu. Amowa was the initiatory off OLOSIN of Osin. There are other goods called Elutapa as well as Orisa Itapa which are worshiped yesteryear Ooni till today.
Owa attends these gods through his elected priests called Ayaya every bit the priest of Elutapa as well as Aworo Orisa Ilawe every bit the priest of Orisa Itapa or Ilawe. Elemo took his quarter as well as acquire the caput of Remo spell Baaro became caput of Egetun. All of them were bully hunters.
Many people came to settle with them as well as they became prosperous. These heads of quarters regarded Owatapa every bit their caput as well as the people approached Owatapa through their heads, as well as Owatapa has the terminal say over all matters brought earlier him.
Here are the names of the Owatapa inwards monastic tell of Precedent.
The initiatory off Owatapa was Amowa;
The 2nd Owatapa was Muaro, Amowa's son;
The 3rd Owatapa was Jejeke;
The quaternary Owatapa was Ponrokun, he removed his palace from Iloro Remo to where it is today. Chief Oisemo was asked to take accuse of the palace.
The fifth Owatapa was Yioye;
The sixth Owatapa was Abaradudu;
The seventh Owatapa was Awadieruasola;
The eighth Owatapa was Arawamokunrin during the reign of this Owa, his town Itapa was overcrowded as well as many people went to settle at Egosi as well as at a spot called Ila.
The ninth Owatapa was Agiriyoyo;
The tenth Owatapa was Akitipa- Obibo;
The 11th Owatapa was Ijimgbere Oke;
The twelfth Owatapa was Owa Edun Alaye;
The 13th Owatapa was Iboun;
The 14th Owatapa was Ajakobijagba;
The 15th Owatapa was Okekorokoro ni kin ma gun on;
The 16th Owatapa was Agodisoro;
The 17th Owatapa was Owa Okogirigiri ni ki nwon ma di on;
The 18th Owatapa was Owa Ogogu;
This Owa wanted to recall his people from Egosi but the people at Egosi at nowadays called Ilupeju refused to release them as well as this later on resulted into war. This state of war was called 'Ogun yinmomo' -i.e give me child. The people of Egosi were assisted yesteryear Ikole. When Itapas went to war, the Ikole came to Itapa as well as carried away their children as well as sold them. They were driven away.
During this war,another state of war from Ilorin led yesteryear Aliyu carried people from Itapa, Ikole as well as Egosi away. They captured Prince Arowogbadamu at the historic flow of 7 years as well as it was during this state of war that Owatapa thereby becoming the 19th Owatapa.
Owa Amerijoye made an alliance with Ata who also came from Iye inwards instance of whatever other assault or war. They both settled together at Aiyede. When Ibadan state of war broke out, Ata was captured as well as sojourned inwards Lagos from where he was brought to acquire the 20th Oba.
The 21st Owatapa was Owa Ola I;
The 22nd Owatapa was Owa Ademiloye;
The 23rd Owatapa was Ali Sanni - the boy of Arowogbadamu, who was installed Owa inwards 1929.
The 24th Owatapa was Owa Ojo (Ola II);
The 25th Owatapa was Owa Amuda Adeyeye Ali ( Atabatele II), he was installed on the 17th Apr 1987, as well as reigned for Twenty-Two (22) years to Dec 29, 2009.
The 26th Owatapa is HRM Oba (Dr) D. O Makanjoula Ajaja, who started his reign of transformation as well as restoration on the 25th hateful solar daytime of November, 2011 as well as had his Official Coronation every bit the OWATAPA of ITAPA EKITI on the 31st hateful solar daytime of March, 2012.
Ade a pe lori o. Kabiyesi... Ire o!!!
Igede-Ekiti
Like a typical Yoruba town, a lot of stories, legends, myths as well as oral tales abound with observe to the source as well as tradition of Igede-Ekiti.
Ake, a hunter as well as herbalist founded Igede. Erindo, his married adult woman as well as Awota, his retainer migrated from Ile-Ife. They settled at Okesu. Ake as well as his married adult woman were blessed with 16 (16) children, 8 (8) boys as well as 8 (8) girls. Among the children were Osun, Elemi, Orunro, Ogbese, Elerinmo as well as Okunsusi.
Immediately after the decease of Ake, at that spot was a struggle for leadership amongst the children. This led to a civil state of war where a high grade of metaphysical mightiness through the usage of incantations was displayed. Eventually, the most elderly ones destroyed themselves as well as thus, Okunusi, a younger but highly intelligent as well as courageous fellow member of the theater unit of measurement took over the curtain of leadership. He became the initiatory off virile somebody monarch of Igede at Okesu because his father, Ake was never appointed a king.
With increasing population, the number of settlers at Okesu outgrew the total dry ground infinite as well as hence the demand to movement to a to a greater extent than relatively patch surface area to settle at Odogede. This was the source of the maxim “Odo, Baba Igede”. Oba Obirimoko was the initiatory off Onigede to settle at Odogede. However, he lived a horrifying life as well as left a bad tape as well as hence, his reign was ruled out of monastic tell as well as never to live listed every bit an Oba of Igede-Ekiti.
The call IGEDE was a derivative of the term “OGEDE” pregnant incantations. This call was given to the settlement when the civil state of war was fought with a lot of incantations. Incantations were a powerful weapon of state of war inwards those days every bit a display of metaphysical knowledge.
The other story that the immature adult woman of Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti who married the boy of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti gave nascence to a babe called Ige on her way to Ado-Ekiti at Odegede was non authenticated every bit the footing for deriving the call of the town – Igede (Signifying that Ige has arrived).
Igede-Ekiti lies within latitudes seventy 391 as well as 7 0 411 North of the Equator as well as Longitudes 50 71 as well as 50 81 East of the Greenwish Meridian. It is the Headquarters of Irepodun / Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ondo State. It is bounded inwards the North yesteryear Awo-Ekiti, inwards the South yesteryear Ilawe-Ekiti, inwards the East yesteryear Iyin-Ekiti along Ado-Ekiti side, as well as inwards the West yesteryear Aramoko-Ekiti. It is at a distance of 64 kilometers from Akure, the working capital alphabetic character of Ondo State. It covered dry ground surface area of nearly 3.8 foursquare kilometres with a populatoin of 31,041 people (1966 census). Igede-Ekiti belongs to a grouping called ‘Ekiti’. The Ekitis settled inwards the Eastern portion of the old Western State of Nigeria at nowadays known every bit Oyo, Ogun as well as Ondo State.
The people speak Ekiti dialect which is oftentimes mixed with touchstone Yoruba language. The civilization of the people with observe to mode of dressing, eating habits, housing, marriage, burial as well as naming ceremonies follow the same pattern every bit practised inwards Yorubaland.
Igede is a nodal settlement. It is situated on a relatively high Earth with the highest dot at Esu hill, as well as an out-crop at Okeaga inwards Odogede quarter. This topography makes Igede a watershed region. River Osun, otherwise worshipped as well as adorned every bit “Osun Oshogbo” takes its source from Igede at a portion betwixt Igede as well as Awo-Ekiti. There are other rivers as well as streams such every bit Elemi, Ogbese, Inansi, Ogangan as well as Ogburuu. Gully erosion has adversely affected parts of the town at Irona, Odo-Uri as well as Ilamoye. Igede falls within the rainforest belt of southwestern Nigeria.Its vegetation is hence evergreen rainforest type. This type of vegetation favours agricultural practices. More than 90% of the inhabitants are farmers.
The farm products include cocoa, accounting for to a greater extent than than 80% of the income of the farming population, kolanut (both Acumulata as well as Nitida), crude oil palm, yam, cocoyam, maize cassava, vegetables as well as to some extent, rice, Palm vino is Igede’s all the yr cash earner as well as pop drinkable “OGORO IGEDE”. The location within the humid torrid zone makes the town as well as its environs relish tropical hot as well as moisture type of climate. There is a rainy flavour from Apr to Oct as well as a dry out flavour from Nov to March. The rainfall regime is of the monastic tell onset, advance as well as retreat. On the average, the rainfall is nearly 1,450mm/year. If non for recent weather condition changes, Igede enjoys a brusque spell of piffling rainfall inwards the calendar month of August (August Break) as well as harmattan inwards Dec to Jan months.
Awo-Ekiti
Awo-Ekiti is a little town inwards the newly created Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government surface area of Ondo State. Before the creation of the novel Local Government, the town was within the defunct Ekiti Central Local Government. It is nearly half-dozen kilometers from Igede-Ekiti, the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government headquarters, as well as nearly xx 2 kilometers from Ado-Ekiti through Igede/Iyin road. The town is situated within longitude 15½0E of the Greenwich as well as Latitude 6¾0 North of the Equator.
Awo-Ekiti is a centrally located town inwards Ekitiland. It is within the heartland of Ekitiland. The fundamental location of the town has non been appreciated simply because of the misfortunate roads which transcend through the town.Travellers prefer long but skillful roads to misfortunate but brusque roads. It is when the half-dozen roads that converge on the town are developed that the modality of the town within Ekitiland would come upward into focus. The fundamental location of the town makes it cast the shortest route to all corners as well as major towns inwards Ekitiland. For example, Ido-Ekiti via Osi through Awo/Igede-Ilawe to Igbara Odo is only 40 kilometers. Ado-Ekiti via old Iyin settlement through Awo/Ara to Ijero Ekiti is exactly 22km. Ifaki via Esure/Eyio through Awo to Aramoko inwards Ekiti West is only 28km. The major towns at the periphery of Ekitiland such every bit Otun, Efon Alaye, Ikere, Ikole are nearly equidistant to Awo Ekiti. With the evolution of the roads, the strategic location of the town would live a stiff factor inwards its growth as well as development.
The town is situated on a high elevation of nearly 1,800 inwards higher upward the sea level. It is on i of the high plains of Western Nigeria. The height gives the town some unique weather condition conditions. Throughout the year, the weather condition is moderately cool as well as its H2O are usually mutual depression temperature most especially during the dry out season. When a lot of people inwards the town prefer the naturally mutual depression temperature H2O to fridged water. The dry ground also is good drained no H2O lodging as well as flooding.
The Plateau on which the town situates forms a watershed for tributaries which flow into River Ogbese inwards the South as well as River Osun inwards West. It is interesting to banknote that these 2 of import rivers inwards Western Nigeria takes their sourcs exactly a few kilometers apart at the outskirt of the town. The 2 rivers are of import every bit they are beingness worshipped yesteryear a large community of people inwards Western Nigeria.
Very spectacular inwards the topography of the town inwards the Igori Rock which is exactly only i as well as a one-half kilometres eastward of the town. This colina an outcrop of granite, is reminisent of the beautiful rocky landscape of Idanre. This massive, stone but smoothen characteristic presents a fascinating tourist attraction which ought to live developed yesteryear the province government. The top of the colina is an ideal spot to build challets to boost the tourist manufacture inwards the state. Standing on this colina i has a panoramic stance of a rolling countryside whose distant hills as well as horizon merge with the bluish sky.
History
The original inhabitants of Awo were believed to have got come upward from Ifè Oòdáyé. They were portion of the waves of Yorùbá who migrated from Ile-Ife to found settlements inwards the nowadays South-Western Nigeria. The foundation of Awo inwards its nowadays site was every bit a resultant of amalgamation of some villages which agreed to cooperate for defensive reasons, every bit a resultant of mutual threats from stronger – chiefdoms. This was nearly 1350 A.D.
The community which later on became Awo had its nucleus inwards a little settlement at Ijoru. The little settlement inwards later on fourth dimension became portion of Oke-Uba Quarter nether Osukoti of Awo Ekiti. At Ijoru was a marketplace called Olujoda which was held every nine other days yesteryear such nearby settlements at Uju as well as Ile-Ona. The bully importance of the marketplace of Odo settlement who engaged Ijoru, Uju, Ile-Ona as well as other surrounding hamlets inwards warfare. The incessant attacks from Odo people forced the settlements to movement close. Their united efforts helped them to lay a permanent halt to Odo attacks. This early on was referred to every bit Ogun Owuro.
Some years after the amalgation of the settlements that jointly fought Odo war, Olujoda marketplace was abandoned as well as a to a greater extent than fundamental marketplace called ‘ATOWOSE’ was created. The bully strength of the novel settlement every bit good every bit its flourishing merchandise inwards kolanuts attracted the fancy of Odo people. The negotiated peace with the people of the novel settlement as well as and then many of the people from Odo moved inwards to settle with them. It was at this fourth dimension an Ife Prince arrived at the settlement. The Ifew Prince was Akinadesanmi (but simply called Akinsanmi). He later on became the initiatory off paramount ruler of the settlement with the championship – Alawo of Awo.
Akinsanmi was i of the grand princes of Ile-Ife who with their followers left Ile-Ife some hundreds of years earlier the Yoruba inter-tribal wars. The grouping was led yesteryear a senior blood brother of Akinsanmi yesteryear call Okiribiti nicknamed Obadudu. He was fearless as well as popular. He later on founded the settlement at nowadays called Emure Ijaloke as well as thus became the initiatory off Elemure of Emure Ijaloke. Olosi who later on founded Osi-Ekiti (in Ido/Osi Local Government) also a blood brother to Akinsanmi was inwards the group. They left Ife with many beaded crowns as well as beads. The grouping arrived at Igbo Owa close River Ose where a powerful kingdom was established. Rivalry amongst Akinsanmi as well as his blood brother princes every bit good every bit attacks from Oba of Ado Ibini led to the autumn of Igbo Owa Kingdom. The grouping as well as then split as well as migrated inwards smaller groups settling inwards places i after the other.
Akinsanmi led a grouping which settled at Oba-Ile close Akure as well as later on at Ise earlier he arrived to settle finally at the settlement within Atowose marketplace surround which later on became known known every bit Awo. On his way from Ise he fed mainly on baobab tree fruit. Ejisun, Erinwa, Edemo, Oluaro Aroro as well as Edemorun accompanied him every bit his followers on arrival.
Akinsanmi was a bully hunter as well as a powerful medicine man. He was also really handsome as well as could alter his trunk peel into dissimilar colours similar a chameleon. He killed many animals as well as hence dresed inwards dissimilar animals skins which were varied inwards colour. The oftentimes changing trunk peel as well as his garments of varied beast skins made people to popularly refer to him every bit ‘Alawo ewu arabara’. From this, the call Alawo is coined as well as the settlement became known every bit ‘Ilu Awo’. He oftentimes displayed his medicine charms hung on ‘Igba – (the type of coined ropes used for climbing palm tree). He used it every bit a necklace (Igbajo) inwards add-on to beaded necklace. This, he believed gave him magical powerfulness against his enemies, as well as made his medicine handy for usage during whatever emergency. So, for magical powerfulness against enemies ‘Igbajo’ was traditionally given to every newly installed Alawo every bit portion of his regalia. It was nevertheless used in conclusion at the installation of Oba Filani Adesiyan inwards 1930.
People feared Akinsanmi (Alias Alawo ewu arabara) as well as was highly respected. With fourth dimension he became recognised every bit the leader as well as paramount primary of the settlement (Awo). His fame extended to some far places as well as some people left their villages to settle at Awo. People from Ikole. Oba-Ile amongst others came to settle. Among such people were Elesi as well as Elese from the royal lineage of Osi-Ikole as well as Ilese respectively. The 2 men left their villages when they were non made paramount chiefs there. Both of them knew the traditional coronation rites every bit practised inwards their villages. They were as well as then given the honour to perform the installation of Akinsanmi every bit the initiatory off Alawo of Awo. The 2 became recognised chiefs every bit Elesi as well as Elese. The official traditional duties of the Elesi as well as Elese upward till this hateful solar daytime is to install novel Alawo.
Awo people have got no mutual oriki similar some other towns. For example: Osi-Ekiti has ‘Asise’ every bit its oriki, Ifaki every bit Orinkinran, Iyin is Egirioke as well as Akure is Oyemekun. The argue for this is simply that the original inhabitants of Awo came from dissimilar angle. Its royal theater unit of measurement has its oriki which originated inwards the somebody of Oba Akinsanmi the initiatory off Alawo. Because of his boldness, his garments of varied colours, his feeding on baobab tree fruits as well as his arrival at Awo after his brief remain at Ise, members of the royal theater unit of measurement at Awo have got their oriki thus: Omo Akin, Omo Aláwò èwù àràbarà, Omo olòsè (baobab) Omo irà lílá ònà Ìsè e.t.c.
When Alawo arrived at Awo, the settlement of Eyinke was non far from Awo as well as a adult man called Ogbese was its paramount ruler. He was a hunter every bit good every bit bully warrior. He was also a powerful medicine man. As Alawo was inwards history but it was faced inwards its early on days with incessant harassments of invaders. For this argue the Alawo palace was removed from its original site at Oke -Uba which was really prone to assault to Erewa which appeared a to a greater extent than secured place. The construction of the initiatory off palace at Erewa had non been completed when the incoming Alawo left the palace at Oke-Uba. He had to remain for 3 months inwards a chemical compound unopen to the novel palace site at Erewa earlier he moved inwards after the completion. He gave the call Ile Aro to the chemical compound where he stayed as well as the caput of the chemical compound was given the championship ‘Aro’. For years it was customary for newly installed Alawo to remain inwards primary Aro’s theater for 3 months earlier moving to the palace. The flow was used to brand necessary repairs to the grass thatched roof of the palace. Now that the palace is roofed with corrugated Fe sheets at that spot is no demand for whatever novel Alawo to remain for 3 months. From the fourth dimension of Oba J. D. Aladejuyigbe III inwards 1968 the remain has been for 3 days only.
Early inwards its history, Awo evolved a stable political system. Alawo was as well as soundless the paramount ruler as well as he ruled with the assistance of his chiefs. There was the traditional council of state. It was made upward of:
numo Chiefs consisting of 3 Iare, 3 Iro as well as 3 Emo.
Elegbe consisting of 3 Agba Elegbe, 3 Agba Akin as well as 3 Oisa Ijokun from each of the 3 wards or quarters.
Egiri consisting of 3 Olorigbo, 3 Elegiri as well as 3 Elerukuku.
Women Chiefs consisting of Eyedofin, Eyegun as well as Eyesemore.
There was also the Ward Council which was made upward of precinct Chiefs (Olori Ebi).
The establishment of age-grade scheme was an of import aspect of the political organisation.The lowest grade was Otun Erukuku, followed yesteryear Agba Erukuku. These 2 age-grades took accuse of world works similar road, marketplace as well as palace repairs as well as construction. After 7 years, Otun Erukuku moved to Agba Erukuku. From hither they moved to Origbo. The Orighos moved to Egiri as well as Erigi moved to Oye Elegbe as well as Agba Elegbe. The Elegbes were responsible for the maintenance of peace, they caught as well as punished criminals similar witches, as well as they made sacrifices to appease the gods of the town. They were also the warriors. The ablest fellow member was made the leader with the piffling Sajowa.
Among the early on traditional festivals was the Oodun or Oro Olofin festival. This was as well as soundless is a traditional festival that is performed or celebrated yesteryear whatever directly Ife prince ruling a community. The traditional beaded crown is worn during the festival others were Ogun festival, Egungun festival as well as the worshipping of Orisa Oja, Orisa Iko otherwise called Orisa Ojuna (god of fire) bought yesteryear the theater unit of measurement that came from Ikole, Orisa Odo brought yesteryear Odo people as well as Oyi the pop god of Oke-Uba ward.
Many Alawos has reigned since the demise of Akinsanmi. They included the following. (Their names are non all listed inwards chronological order) Oba Agodogbo bi ila a fi nsuru, Oba Aropupayoko, Oba Orun ku bi ojo, Oba Amolese, Oba Osodogbadamu, Oba Asowinon who broke the traditional law as well as was waylaid yesteryear the Elegbe as well as killed with their metallic rod i.e. Ogbo Elegbe, Oba Ona Owuro who later on abdicated his throne as well as left for Era where he became Elera of Era (now Araromi Ijero) Oba Adubienimu, who reigned at nearly 1650, Oba Ifamosaya 1860 – 1875, Oba Oyiyo Okeruku 1876, Oba Adesiyan I 1880 – 1900, Oba Aladejuyigbe I 1910 – 1925, Oba S. O. Aladejuyigbe II 1927 – 1930 who was the initiatory off enlightened Oba. The people found his reign also tyrannical as well as he was dethroned on 27th of March 1930. He left Awo for Igede. He was allowed to come upward dorsum inwards 1941 but non every bit a king. People inwards later on years judged him a skillful virile somebody monarch but were also fast for his people. He lived inwards Awo till 1972 when he died, Oba Filani Adesiyan II 1930 – 1962 as well as Oba J. D. Alade 1966 – 1977 who was the in conclusion of the yesteryear Alawos.
River Ogbese every bit a Powerful Deity inwards Awo-Ekiti
Ogbese was a pop adult man inwards the olden days. He was a bully warriors, a hunter as well as a powerful medicine man. People used to sing praise of him inwards these words “E e sode (he was a hunter), e e sawo (he was a medicine adult man or an herbalist), omo amurugbon wole peran (he could kill animals inwards a prostrating spot with his beard brushing the ground) Apamudanule (he killed his enemies during wars inwards hundreds so much that his blood drenched sword was used to live cleaned on the ground).
Ogbese was a prince of Ado. When his begetter died, at that spot was a tussle betwixt him as well as his junior brothers over who would dominion Ado after their father. The 2 brothers set for Ado-Ibini to acquire the staff of business office to rule, from the Oba of Ado-Ibini who was i of the 7 sons of Okanbi. Before Ogbese got to Ado-Ibini, his junior blood brother had received the staff of office, a crown as well as some beads. This province of affairs made Ogbese to grow annoyed as well as to loathe his brother. To avoid serious clash betwixt Ogbese as well as his brother, the Oba of Ado-Ibini gave Ogbese some other crown as well as some beads. He advised him to go as well as found a novel spot of settlement. The hatred betwixt the 2 made them decided non to see each other whatever to a greater extent than as well as Ogbese ordered his children never to prostrate or kneel downward earlier whatever somebody from his brother’s family.
Ogbese went northwestward as well as founded a novel town called Eyinke. He was followed yesteryear members of his theater unit of measurement as well as the few people who were loyal to him.
Some years after he founded Eyinke, a state of war broke out betwixt Ado (where his blood brother was the paramount ruler) as well as an enemy grouping from somewhere. The fighting was also much for Ado people that they sought the aid of Ogbese to assist them inwards the battle. Not minding the quarrel he had with his brother, he went as well as fought as well as won the battle for Ado.
This incident reveals the historical significance of the vocal “Ogbugbulomi, a moment ya ‘Gbese la o, Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pamudanule oju re laa me io”. In touchstone yoruba it reads thus “Ogbugbulomi awa sadi Ogbese ni ilu Awo. Apamudanule Oju re la nwo”. This was vocal years later on yesteryear Ado people inwards rememberance of the state of war fought for them yesteryear Ogbese.
To demo their gratitudes to Ogbese the ruler of Ado sent a slave annually to Ogbese. It was the coming of the European to Nigeria that lay a halt to this.
When Ogbese was nearly to die, he called his boy Oloja as well as told him that he would pop off on unusual as well as miraculous death, which would brand him a diety that they would go on to worship. He took a little pot with him as well as went to a nearby Iroko tree. He sat at the human foot of the tree all of a precipitous he disappeared into the ground. Just immediately, H2O started to fountain out from the little pot he left lying unopen to the root of the Iroko tree. This became a source of River Ogbese every bit it is known today. The proof is hither till today.
After Ogbese’s disappearance, his boy Oloja became the paramount ruler of Eyinke as well as the call ‘Oloja’ consequently became the championship of the paramount ruler of Eyinke. Oloja led his people to worship River Ogbese annally.
Eyinke nether Oloja was engaged inwards a state of war with a grouping of people. Oloja as well as his people had to flee as well as settle inwards a nearby town later on called Awo.
When Alawo arrived as well as united the various groups he met nether his sovereignty, Oloja became a traditional chemical compound caput nether Alawo.
Eyinke, the old settlement of Oloja became the farm dry ground of Oloja as well as his people. The people continued to farm the dry ground till today. As a grade of observe to Oloja, Ejisun the caput primary of the quarter/ward to which Oloja chemical compound belongs is installed till today inwards Oloja’s house.
Annually the people continued to worship the god of River Ogbese as well as Oloja established a priesthood of 7 members. (Iworo meje) for the worship. He every bit Oloja headed the priesthood. Others were Oisa, Elero, Oisape, Osotun, Elesa as well as Odofin ere who was the primary errand adult man for the Oloja.
The annual festival for the worship of the god of Ogbese (until recent times) started with the wives as well as children of Oloja as well as some other priests going to the farm to convey novel yams. On their arrival from the farm, they would trip the lite fantastic circular Ogbese as well as Atiba shrines 7 times respectively. Early inwards the morn on the hateful solar daytime of the festival, the youngest wives of Oloja would pound the yams nakedly nether closed doors, with the senior wives guarding the chemical compound gate to forestall people from entering. After the traditional eating of the pounded yam, the gate would live opened to visitors who came for the feast of the festival.
The traditional offering of sacrifice to the god yesteryear Oloja would follow the early on morn feast. Up till the halt of the in conclusion century, the sacrifice included ritual killing of a slave referred to every bit Oluo. The killing was ever effected yesteryear the Oisa. The slave annually sent to Ogbese as well as his predecessors yesteryear the traditional caput of Ado every bit a gift inwards appreciation of the state of war which Ogbese won for Ado people was after the decease of Ogbese annually sacrificed every bit Oluwo to the god of Ogbese.
The in conclusion vocal sung yesteryear the in conclusion Oluwo was “eereunfeeo eereunfee oun moment wo ohun moment mu somo lale ke inreunfee.
In add-on annually the traditional caput of Ado used to convey kolanuts rapped with a foliage called “Omu” ferns to Oloja.
There is upward till today a womanpriest Eyelogbese who plays prominent roles during the flow the annual festival lasts. Every year, people with i job or the other similar those with no children come upward to her to live blessed as well as those people brand pledges. The worshippers believes that with the annual prayers made yesteryear the priestess, the god ever protect his people from sickness as well as troubles of state of war as well as also allows them to multiply till today anybody suffering from Republic of Guinea worm would live treated with the H2O from Ogbese river. Up till nearly 1958, anybody infected yesteryear little pod was admitted yesteryear Eyelogbese (Ogbese priest) as well as cured. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of miracles were performed during the yearly celebrations during various acrobatic displays which include dancing as well as rolling on the Earth with little pox (Oru) dressed as well as with life fern leaves stalked inwards the pot without falling off. We were robbed of this fanciful as well as attractive civilization yesteryear adven of Western civilisation.
Erinmope-Ekiti
Erinmope-Ekiti falls within the derived savannah belt as well as has nearly half-dozen months of effective rainfall from mid-April to mid-October. The mutual crops grown are arable crops such every bit Yam, Cassava, Maize, Beans as well as Republic of Guinea Corn. Few cash crops such every bit Cocoa, Kolanut as well as Cashew are also grown inwards isolated areas.
The Indigenes are really dynamic, industrious as well as enterprising. However because of dry ground limitations as well as limited opportunities, many of the people settled exterior the town as well as tin live found inwards virtually all parts of Nigeria where they are engaged inwards commercial as well as industrial activities as well as inwards particular the establishment of plantation inwards agricultural products such every bit Cocoa, Kolanut as well as Oil palm.
Record has it that Erinmope-Ekiti had its genealogical history traced to Oraufe dynasty inwards Ile-Ife earlier they migrated therefrom. Oraufe begat Ayetise as well as Ayetise begat Lajamisan. Obaleo belonged to the Lajamisan dynasty of the lijo surface area inwards the chemical compound of Chief Obajio, the traditional Lord Exchequer. The initiatory off Obaleo Elejio (a.k.a) Ajigbeji (a prince, a warrior, a hunter as well as a herbalist) with Oore Abajadiewon also a prince left Ile-Ife at the same fourth dimension as well as went together to all places until they both settled at a spot called Ipole. When Obaleo Elejio was leaving Ile-Ife with his people he took along his ain inheritance from his begetter which included Bearded Crown, Beads, White Horsetail etc.
Later the Obaleo left Oore behind inwards Ipole as well as settled initiatory off at Ekiti Epere close Ipole earlier moving to the nowadays hateful solar daytime location sometime inwards the 15th century, also Oore left Ipole as well as and then settled at the nowadays location - Otun. Since then, Obaleo has remained undisputed as well as unchallenged second-in-command to the Oore. The call Erinmope was derived from a caput count of those who left Ekite-Opere to the nowadays settlement. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 census was conducted as well as the Oba asked the people if all the people were present, thus “NJE ORI PE” as well as was answered “ORI MOPE O”. Thus, the settlement was referred to every bit “ORIMOPE”. In some other development, Obaleo Elejio having settled downward ordered his hunters to lookout adult man circular to reckon if at that spot were other settlers. One of the hunters who faced the surface area called Ibamogun saw a large stone afar off believing it to live an elephant aimed at it but moving closer discovered it was non an elephant but a large rock. On homecoming to others as well as the Oba he narrated his ordeal as well as ended it with the contention “ERIN NI MOPE” pregnant that I thought it was an elephant. So Obaleo Elejio decided to call the settlement ERINMOPE. Thus the names “ORINMOPE” as well as “ERINMOPE” were used interchangeably to spot the Town upward to the outset of the 19th century when only ERINMOPE was finally adopted.
For administrative convenience, Oore Abajadiewon divided Moba into 4 constituencies inwards 1579 every bit follows:
(i) Arin Moba (Central) Otun
(ii) Ona Moba (Front/Route) Erinmope, Aaye-Oja as well as Irare
(iii) Osi Moba (Left) Osun, Epe, Osan, Ira as well as Iro
(iv) Otun Moba (Right) Igogo, Ikun, Ikosu, as well as Isaoye
The 1579 resolution made nearly 433 years agone yesteryear the Oore recognised Obaleo every bit second-in-command to him the spot Obaleo soundless holds today.
There are 3 Ruling Houses inwards Erinmope Ekiti namely Iloye Ruling House, Iworo-Aro Ruling House as well as Ijewu Ruling House. The Ruling Houses are referred to every bit Royal Families or “OMO-OWAS”. The traditional Ruler - Obaleo of Erinmope - is rotated amongst the 3 Ruling Houses. The electrical current Obaleo of Erinmope - His Royal Majesty Oba J. O. Aina is from Iloye Ruling House. Oba J.O. Aina ascended the throne inwards 1975. He took over from Oba Atere Atoyosoye from Ijewu Ruling House.
In Erinmope-Ekiti, several Obaleos have got reigned every bit follows:
OBALEO ELEJIO a.k.a. Ajigbeji (Founder)
ALUSULOGBA
ABATI
EKIMODE
AROJO
AGBODOIYAWO
OPEKUNRIN
AJIDAUNATAYERO
ADUMORI
AKOROBOTO
AGBEDEGBEDE
OTUJABIOJO
ARILEKESOOGUN
OSIYABOKUNRINJA
AGBONSILEDOYE
ATEREATOYOSOYE
AINAAJEJIOYE (1975 till date)
In the same vein, the next Oores have got reigned inwards Otun Ekiti:
Oore Abajadiewon (Founder)
Adifagbade
Olasunkade
Okinbaloye
Adifala
Arisilejoye 1886
Ariyowaye 1914
Oyinloye 1929
Aroyinleke Adepoju 1967
Odundun Popoola 2002 till engagement (http://www.erinmope-ekiti.com/pdf_files/Erinmope%20at%20a%20glance.pdf)
The Oore of Mobaland, Oba (Dr.) James Adedapo Popoola JP, CON, Odundun I
L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Keynote Speaker as well as Minister of Finance, physician Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; CEO, Emzor Pharmaceutical, physician Stella Okoli; as well as Wife of Vice President, Hajia Amina Namadi
Fprmer Ekiti State Governor, physician Kayode Fayemi left presents staff of business office to Olupole of Ipole Iloro, Oba Babatola Oladele, with him is Olori Grace as well as Magaret Oladele
80th Birthday Celebration of Mama Adetutu Famuagun
Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Funso Amosun; Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titi Laoye Tomori, Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka at the birthday thanksgiving for Mama Adetutu Famuagun (Mrs Olayinka's mother) at the C.A.C Church Ado-Ekiti,
Ekiti province Dancers
Ekiti State lies southward of Kwara as well as Kogi State, East of Osun State as well as bounded yesteryear Ondo State inwards the East as well as inwards the south. It was declared a province on Oct 1, 1996 amongst 5 others yesteryear the military machine nether the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. The state, carved out of the territory of old Ondo State, covers the former twelve local authorities areas that made upward the Ekiti Zone of old Ondo State. On creation, it took off with 16 (16) Local Government Areas (LGAs), having had an additional 4 carved out of the old ones. Ekiti State is i of the thirty-six states (Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that constitute Nigeria. The working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State is Ado-Ekiti. The people of Ekiti State alive mainly inwards towns, similar most Yoruba. There are non less than 120 towns inwards Ekiti state. One of import aspect of the Ekiti towns is the mutual suffix "Ekiti" attached to their names. Some of the towns include Ado, the province working capital alphabetic character becomes Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Ayedun, Efon Alaaye, it Emure, Ido, lgede, lgogo, ljero, ljesalsu, Ikere, Ikole, Ikoro, llawe, llupeju, Ire, lse, lye, Ode, Omuo, Otun as well as Oye.
Historically, the Ekitis are amongst the aboriginal elements of the Nigeria absorbed yesteryear the invaders from the East (Yoruba people from Ile Ife). "The term Ekiti denotes a "Mound", as well as is derived from the rugged mountainous characteristic of the country. It is an extensive province as well as good watered, including several tribes as well as families correct on to the border of the Niger, eastward. They handgrip themselves quite distinct from the Ijesas, especially inwards political affairs." (Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yoruba, 1921). It is believed that the ancestors of Ekiti people who came to combine with the aboriginal people on the dry ground migrated from Ile Ife, the spiritual abode of the Yoruba people. According to oral as well as contemporary written sources of Yoruba history, Oduduwa, the ancestor of the Yoruba traveled to Ife [Ife Ooyelagbo] where he met people who were already settled there. Among the elders he met inwards the town were Agbonniregun [Stetillu], Obatala, Orelure, Obameri, Elesije, Obamirin, Obalejugbe exactly to call a few. It is known that descendants of Agbonniregun [Baba Ifa] settled inwards Ekiti, examples beingness the Alara as well as Ajero who are sons of Ifa. Orunmila [Agbonniregun] himself spent a greater portion of his life at Ado. Due to this, nosotros have got the maxim ‘Ado ni ile Ifa’ [Ado is the abode of Ifa]. The Ekiti have got ever since settled inwards their nowadays location.
The early on Ekiti dry ground is divided into 16 districts (and it has been maintained to this day), each with its ain Owa or King (Owa beingness a generic term amongst them) of which 4 are supreme, viz. : —
(1) The Owore of Otun, (2) The Ajero of Ijero, (3) The Elewi of Ado as well as (4) The Elekole of Ikole.
The next are the small-scale Ekiti kings : —
(5) Alara of Aramoko, (6) Alaye of Efon Ahaye, (7) Ajanpanda of Akure, (8) Alagotun of Ogotun, (9) Olojudo of Ido, (10) Ata of Aiyede, (11) Oloja Oke of Igbo Odo, (12) Oloye of Oye, (13) Olomuwo of Omuwo, (14) Onire of Ire, (15) Arinjale of Ise and (16) Onitaji of Itaji.
The Orangun of Ila is sometimes classed amongst them, but he is only Ekiti inwards sympathy, beingness of a dissimilar family.
Udiroko festival at Ekiti
The Ekiti are really intelligent as well as have got a deep love of home- at that spot has been no large scale migration of Ekiti peoples to neighbouring countries, but Ekitis are inwards other parts of Yorubaland mostly inwards Ondo, Oshun as well as Kwara states. Respect for historic flow as well as superiors, ingrained politeness is portion as well as parcel of their nature. Ekiti dry ground is reputed to have got produced the highest number of professors inwards Nigeria.
Ekiti man ADEYEMI Ekundayo Adeyinka, Prof. Distinguished Professor, 1st Professor of Architecture inwards West Africa
It is rather yesteryear heritage than yesteryear accident that the motto of the nowadays Ekiti province is “Fountain of Knowledge,” since Agbonniregun whose descendants are all over Ekitiland is praised every bit Akere-finu sogbon [the little adult man with a take heed total of wisdom]. Several pioneers academics are from the state. Pioneers similar Profs Adegoke Olubummo (One of the 1st Nigerian Professors inwards the patch of Mathematics), Adeyinka Adeyemi (1st Professor of Architecture inwards West Africa). Others include renowned academics similar Profs J.F. Ade-Ajayi, Niyi Osundare, Sam Aluko as well as others also many to mention.
Adegoke Olubummo, Ekit adult man as well as i of the 1st Nigerian Professors inwards the patch of Mathematics. He was the boy of the honored initiatory off literate Olorin of Orin, H.R.H. Oba William Adekolawolu Olubummo II as well as Olori Abigael Osarayi Olubommo. As a kid of parents of high honor, he received an fantabulous educational activity at Methodist schools inwards which he worked (Ifaki Methodist School) every bit a student instructor inwards 1937. All 3 of Adegoke Olubummo's children are mathematicians. His daugher Yewande Olubummo is currently inwards the U..S. every bit an assistant professor of mathematics at Spelman College.
In damage of arts as well as culture, Ekiti province is amongst the richest inwards the Federation inwards the There are every bit many every bit 50 traditional festivals inwards the state. Egungun, ljesu as well as Ogun festivals are celebrated inwards all parts of the province but the latter is associated, inwards particular, with Ire Ekiti. The Ekitis are skillful wood carvers, blacksmiths, as well as ornamental potters, mat weavers as well as handbasket makers. There are guilds established to command the operations of these crafts. Ekiti music consists mainly of folklore as well as moonlight songs. The folk music is usually interjected with folk tales which unremarkably are both instructive as well as interesting.
The main staple nutrient of the people of Ekiti is pounded yam with Isapa soup or vegetable soup. NATURAL RESOURCES Ekiti dry ground is naturally endowed with numerous natural resources. The province is potentially rich inwards mineral deposits. These include granite, kaolin, columbite, channockete, Fe ore, baryte, aquamine, gemstone, phosphate, limestone,GOLD amongst others. They are largely deposited inwards dissimilar towns as well as villages of Ijero, Ekiti West, Ado - Ekiti, Ikole, Ikere, Ise-Ekiti as well as other Local Government Areas.
The Land is also blessed with H2O resources, some of its major rivers are Ero, Osun, Ose, as well as Ogbese. More so a multifariousness of tourist attractions abound inwards the province namely, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ipole - Iloro Water Falls, Olosunta hills, Ikere, Fajuyi Memorial Park Ado - Ekiti as well as so on. The Ikogosi tourist centre is the most pop as well as the most developed. The warm fountain is a unique natural feature, as well as supporting facilities are developed inwards the centre. The fountain is at nowadays beingness processed as well as packaged into bottled H2O for commercial purpose yesteryear a individual society - UAC Nigeria.
Beautiful Ekiti woman
Moreover, the dry ground is buoyant inwards agricultural resources with cocoa every bit its leading cash crop. It was largely known that Ekiti dry ground constituted good over 40% of the cocoa products of the famous old Western Region. The dry ground is also known for its woods resources, notably timber. Because of the favorable climatic conditions, the dry ground enjoys luxuriant vegetation, thus, it has abundant resources of dissimilar species of timber. Food crops similar yam, cassava, as well as also grains similar rice as well as maize are grown inwards large qualities. Other notable crops similar kola nut as well as varieties of fruits are also cultivated inwards commercial quantities.
Ekiti people
Ekiti people have got their ain National Anthem:
Ekiti Anthem
" Oun abajoro kiipe kun
Oun asepo nileye
Ehin ola wa tidara o
Awa Ekiti ati parapo
Kaparapo katun panupo
Awa Ekiti ati gbominira
Okan lawansee
Chorus: Ekiti, Ekiti ati gbominira (2ce)
Awa Ekiti iwaju laomalo lagbara Olorun
Awa Ekiti okan soso ma ni’wa o lailai."
L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; his wife, Eyeosrun Abosede; newly installed chief/wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi; as well as Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during the conferment of chieftaincy championship of Eye Ajiseye of Ado-Ekiti on Erelu Bisi Fayemi, inwards Ado-Ekiti…
Dressing
The wearing clothing for adult man inwards Ekiti is Bùbá (round cervix shirt) as well as Sòkòtò (trousers) While women wearing clothing inwards Bùbá (blouse) as well as Ìró (wrapper).
Ekiti women inwards their traditional dress
Ekiti State is situated alone within the tropics. It is located betwixt longitudes 40°51′ as well as 50°451′ East of the Greenwich meridian as well as latitudes 70°151′ as well as 80°51′ due north of the Equator. It lies southward of Kwara as well as Kogi State, East of Osun State as well as bounded yesteryear Ondo State inwards the East as well as inwards the south, with a total dry ground Area of 5887.890sq km. Ekiti State has 16 Local Government Councils.
By 1991 Census, the population of Ekiti State was 1,647,822 spell the estimated population upon its creation on Oct 1st 1996 was lay at 1,750,000 with the working capital alphabetic character located at Ado-Ekiti. The 2006 population census yesteryear the National Population Commission lay the population of Ekiti State at 2,384,212 people.
Ekiti, the dry ground of rock
In general, Ekiti State is underlain yesteryear metamorphic rocks of the PreCambrian basement complex, the bully bulk of which are really ancient inwards age. These basement complex rocks demo bully variations inwards grain size as well as inwards mineral composition. The rocks are quartz gneisses as well as schists consisting essentially of quartz with little amounts of white micaceous minerals. In grain size as well as structure, the rocks vary from really coarse grained pegmatite to mediumgrained gneisses. The rocks are strongly foliated as well as they occur every bit outcrops especially inwards EfonAlaaye as well as Ikere Ekiti areas (Smyth as well as Montgomery, 1962).
Ekiti State has no coastal boundary, hence it has no coastal relief. Indeed, the term, Ekiti, denotes an interior or hinterland surface area every bit opposed to a maritime surface area (Oguntuyi, 1979). It also agency mound. This call invariably implies that Ekiti State is mainly an upland area. In the main, the relief is rugged with undulating areas as well as granitic outcrops inwards several places. The notable ones amongst the hills are IkereEkiti Hills inwards the southern portion of the state; EfonAlaaye Hills to the western boundary of the province as well as the AdoEkiti Hills inwards the fundamental portion of the state.
Most of these hills are good over 250m higher upward sea level. The drainage scheme over the areas of base of operations ment complex rocks is usually marked with the proliferation of many little river channels. The chan nels of these smaller streams are dry out for many months, especially from Nov to May.
In Ekiti State, at that spot is no major river. However, the province serves every bit the watershed as well as source part for 3 major rivers that flow into the Atlantic ocean. These are the Rivers Osun, Owena as well as Ogbese. Other rivers are Ero, Ose as well as Oni. Another impor tant aspect of the relief of Ekiti province is the preva lence of erosion gullies along colina slopes as well as valleys.
The gullies are really mutual inwards Efon Alaaye as well as inwards the northern portion of the state. Indeed, inwards EfonAlaaye, the gullies could live devastating
Climate: The climate is of the Lowland Tropical Rain Forest type with distinct moisture as well as dry out seasons. The dry out flavour comes upward betwixt Nov as well as Apr spell the moisture flavour prevails betwixt May as well as October.
In the south, the hateful monthly tem perature is nearly 28°C with a hateful monthly hit of 3°C spell the hateful relative humidity is over sev entyfive per cent. However, inwards the northern portion of the state, the hateful monthly temperature may live over 30°C spell the hateful monthly hit may live every bit high every bit 8°C.
The hateful monthly relative humidity hither is nearly 65 per cent. The hateful annual total rainfall inwards the southward is nearly 1800mm spell that of the northern portion is hardly over 1600mm.
Vegetation: As indicated nether climate, the expected climax vegetation is the evergreen high woods composed of many varieties of hardwood tim ber, such every bit a procera Terminalia superba, Lophir, Khivorensis, Melicia excelsa as well as Antiaris africana. This natural vegetation is hardly nowadays at nowadays but relics are observable, especially inwards the southern one-half of the province where some woods reserves are estab lished yesteryear the government.
It tin hence live stat ed that the province is covered yesteryear secondary forest. To the northern part, at that spot is the forestsavanna mosa This is a woody savanna featuring such tree species every bit Blighia sapida, Parkia biglobosa, Adansonia digitata as well as Butyrospermum paradoxover most of the state, the natural vegetation has been really much degraded every bit a resultant of human activities, the primary of which is bush fallow farming system.
Others are fuel wood production as well as route construction. An of import aspect of the vegetation of the province is the prevalence of tree crops. The major tree crops include: cocoa, kola, coffee, crude oil palms as well as citrus. In the southern part, cocoa is the most prevalent spell inwards the northern part, fruit trees such every bit mango as well as cashew are really common. Cocoa as well as crude oil palms are cultivated inwards large planta tions, especially yesteryear the government.
As a resultant of the degradation of the natural for e est, exotic trees have got been introduced every bit woods plantations. The exotics introduced include Tectona grandis (teak) as well as Gmelina arborea. Teminalia superba, a native species is also cultivated. All these cultivated trees at nowadays replace the natural veg y etation of the woods reserves, every bit inwards Ikere as well as ljero ti woods reserves.
Soils: The soils derived from the basement complex rocks are mostly welldrained, having a mediumtofine texture. The soils of Ekiti province autumn into 2 main association classifications according to Syrnth as well as Montgomery. These are Egbeda I Association as well as lwo Association.
Under the e FAO/UNESCO classification, they are Orthic as well as n Plinthic Luvisols, respectively. The former is of high agricultural value for tree crops especially cocoa. The latter is found to the due north of the province classified al every bit Ekiti series. The soils hither are skeletal inwards nature as well as of comparatively recent origin. Both soil types d are of high value for arable crops.
Ecological Problems: The main ecological job of Ekiti State is the accelerated soil erosion, which is really devastating inwards EfonAlaaye. As a resultant of the nature of the dry ground surface of the province e as well as the continuous opening of the dry ground for agricultural as well as constructional purposes, accelerated soil erosion becomes pertinent especially when no concerted effort, is beingness made to command it. For instance, it took the former Ondo province government's intervention inwards 1988 to avert a total sectionalization of EfonAlaaye town into 2 separate entities yesteryear gully erosion.
It is, however, gratifying to banknote that ih this ecological job is receiving the attending of the authorities as well as the people every bit observed inwards a see to EfonAlaaye inwards Oct 1999.
Language
The people of Ekiti are culturally homogenous as well as speak a unique Central Yoruba (CY) dialect of Yoruba linguistic communication known every bit Ekiti. This Central Yoruba (CY) dialect of yoruba linguistic communication belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication family. Apart from Ekiti, the other Yoruba sub-groups that speak Central Yoruba (CY) dialects are Igbomina, Yagba, Ilésà, Ifẹ, Akurẹ, Ẹfọn, as well as Ijẹbu areas.The Ekiti dialect, however, varies across locations, e.g. Otun people (in Moba land) speak a dialect unopen to that of the Igbominas inwards Kwara as well as Osun States; the Oke-Ako, Irele as well as Omu-Oke people speak a dialect similar to that spoken yesteryear the Ijumus inwards Kogi State. The people of Efon Alaaye also speak a similar dialect to that of the Ijesas of Osun State. Although slight (and inwards really few locations, somewhat wide) variations be inwards the local dialects, the Ekiti people empathise each other as well as communicate pretty well.
History
Historically, the Ekitis are amongst the aboriginal elements of the Nigeria absorbed yesteryear the invaders from the East (Yoruba people from Ile Ife). "The term Ekiti denotes a "Mound", as well as is derived from the rugged mountainous characteristic of the country. It is an extensive province as well as good watered, including several tribes as well as families correct on to the border of the Niger, eastward. They handgrip themselves quite distinct from the Ijesas, especially inwards political affairs." (Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yoruba, 1921). It is believed that the ancestors of Ekiti people who came to combine with the aboriginal people on the dry ground migrated from Ile Ife, the spiritual abode of the Yoruba people. According to oral as well as contemporary written sources of Yoruba history, the Ekitis are amongst the earliest settlers of Yorubaland. The Yoruba [Oyo Yoruba] are said to have got sprung from Lamurudu, i of the kings of Mecca whose offspring were Oduduwa (Crown Prince), the kings of Gogobiri (Gogir inwards Hausaland) as well as Kukawa (Bornu).
Oduduwa, the ancestor of the Yoruba traveled to Ife [Ife Ooyelagbo] where he met people who were already settled there. Among the elders he met inwards the town were Agbonniregun [Stetillu], Obatala, Orelure, Obameri, Elesije, Obamirin, Obalejugbe exactly to call a few. It is known that descendants of Agbonniregun [Baba Ifa] settled inwards Ekiti, examples beingness the Alara as well as Ajero who are sons of Ifa. Orunmila [Agbonniregun] himself spent a greater portion of his life at Ado. Due to this, nosotros have got the maxim ‘Ado ni ile Ifa’ [Ado is the abode of Ifa]. The Ekiti have got ever since settled inwards their nowadays location.
Another oral tradition assert that The Olofin, i of the sons of the Oduduwa had 16 (16) children as well as inwards the agency of searching for the novel dry ground to develop, they all journeyed out of Ile-Ife every bit they walked through the Iwo - Eleru(crave) close Akure as well as had halt over at a spot called Igbo-Aka(forest of termites) closer to Ile-Oluji. The Olofin, the 16 children as well as some other dear people continued with their journey, but when they got to a particular lovely as well as apartment land, the Owa-Obokun(the monachy of Ijesha land) as well as Orangun of Ila decided to remain inwards the nowadays Ijesha as well as Igomina dry ground of inwards Osun state. While the remaining xiv (14) children continued with the journeying as well as later on settled inwards the nowadays hateful solar daytime Ekiti land. They discovered that at that spot were many hills inwards the spot as well as they said inwards their mother's linguistic communication that this is 'Ile olokiti' the dry ground of hills. Therefore the Okiti later on blended to EkitiI. So Ekiti derived her call through hills. These are directly children as well as founder of Ekitiland, Igbominaland as well as Ijeshaland:
- Alara of Aramoko
- Alaaye of Efon Alaaye Kingdom
- Ajero of Ijero Kingdom
- Arinjale of Ise
- Ewi of Ado
- Elekole of Ikole
- Ogoga of Ikere
- Atta of Ayede-ekiti
- Elemure of Emure
- Oloye of Oye
- Olojudo of Ido
- Onire of Ire
- Onitaji of Itaji
- Onisan of Isan
- Oore of Otun Moba
- Owatapa of Itapa
- Orangun of Ila-Orangun
- Owa -obokun of Ijeshaland
- Ologotun of Ogotun
- Obanla of Ijesa-Isu
- Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti
- Alare of Are Ekiti
- Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti
Before Nigeria was amalgamated, the Ekiti tribe was nether the British Protectorate with the other Yoruba tribes. Ekiti became portion of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria which was divided to give the Ekitis their ain state.
Ekiti man
There has been no large scale migration of Ekiti peoples to neighbouring countries, but Ekitis are inwards other parts of Yorubaland mostly inwards Ondo, Oshun as well as Kwara states. The nowadays Ekiti province is smaller than the old Ekiti i due to inter-tribal wars as well as subsequent redivisions. By virtue of Ekiti’s intelligence, at that spot are to a greater extent than Ekiti graduates today than inwards most states of Nigeria. It is rather yesteryear heritage than yesteryear accident that the motto of the nowadays Ekiti province is “Fountain of Knowledge,” since Agbonniregun whose descendants are all over Ekitiland is praised every bit Akere-finu sogbon [the little adult man with a take heed total of wisdom].
The remarkable simplicity, though tough but unwarlike attribute of the Ekitis led the Oyos to wage state of war on them inwards the mid-1800. The Ekitis formed an alliance which they termed Ekiti Parapo (i.e. Ekiti Confederation). They raised a formidable regular army as well as were determined non only to unloose themselves but also to overrun the Oyos correct to Ibadan farms at the River Oba. Prince Fabunmi of Oke Imesi headed the confederates with able warlords such every bit Fabaro of Ido, Famakinwa of Erin, Odole- Oloyombere, Oluborode of Ikogosi exactly to call a few. They were later on joined yesteryear Ogedemgbe- Agbogun Gboror who later on became the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederates.
Instead of tendering their submission every bit Are Latosisa thought, the Oyo regular army found the Ekiti-Parapos became the initiatory off to innovate long flintlock guns with large muzzles to state of war inwards Yorubaland. These guns when fully loaded as well as fired, gave a written report which reverberated from colina to colina all around. It sounded similar KI-RI-JI, KI-RI-JI, from which this state of war was named the Kiriji campaign. The state of war lasted until 1886 some when the Oyos pleaded for British intervention inwards the war. The British intervention led to a peace treaty betwixt the Oyos as well as Ekitis. never to wage state of war against each other as well as so with Oyo as well as other Yoruba nations, thus making the Kiriji state of war the in conclusion major state of war of the Yoruba
The people of Ekiti State alive mainly inwards towns. These towns include: Ado, Awo Ekiti, Ayegbaju Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, Aramoko Ekiti, Temidire-Ikole Local Govt, Igede Ekiti, Ikole, Ayede, Isan, Iye Ayede, Ikere, Ire, Ijero, Ayetoro, Ipoti, Igogo, Ise, Itapa, Otun, Usi Ekiti, Ido, Emure, Iyin, Igede, Ilawe, Ode, Oye, Omuo, Ilupeju, Ikoro,Iloro, Ikun, Iye, Ijesa-Isu, Ayedun, Aisegba, Osin, Okemesi, Iworoko, Ifaki, Osan, Erinmope, Asin-Ekiti, Orin, Ilogbo, Osi, Igbole, Ora, Aye, Ikogosi Erio, [Igbara-Odo](Ogotun), Erijiyan Ekiti Iludun, Ilemeso, Otun, Itapaji, Imojo, Ire Ekiti, Eda Oniyo, Gogo Ekiti, Odooro Ekiti, Ijan Ekiti, Epe Ekiti, Usi Ekiti.
Local Government Areas
L-R: Chairman, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State, Chief Aderemi Ajayi; Alara of Aramoko Kingdom, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi; his wife, Adenike; ..
Ekiti State includes 16 of Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas. They are:
Proposed 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs)in Ekiti State The Ekiti State Government is to create additional 18 Council Development Areas based on the recommendations of the White Paper Committee set upward yesteryear the government.
In a press statement, the Commissioner for Information as well as Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said the novel council areas volition live created from the existing 16 local authorities areas next a plebiscite yesteryear the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) as well as consideration of the outcome of the plebiscite yesteryear the State House of Assembly.
They volition operate every bit Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) pending the concurrence of the National Assembly, which would accord them the status of full-fledged local authorities councils.
According to the commissioner, the novel councils as well as their proposed headquarters every bit contained inwards the White Paper as well as approved yesteryear the State Executive Council are every bit follows:
i) Ado West Local Council Development Area- Okesha
ii) Ado-North LCDA--------------------------------- Oke –Ila
iii) Ado-Central LCDA-------------------------------- Ijigbo
iv) Ekiti North-East LCDA--------------------------- Kota- Ekiti
v) Ogotun/Igbaraodo LCDA------------------------- Oke- Agbe
vi) Osi/Isokan LCDA --------------------------------- Ifaki
vii) Eka Meta LCDA----------------------------------- Erijiyan- Ekiti
viii) Okemesi/Ido Ile LCDA--------------------------- Okemesi - Ekiti
ix) Gbonyin LCDA------------------------------------ Aisegba
x) Irewolede LCDA--------------------------------- Iloro- Ekiti
xi) Irede LCDA--------------------------------------- Ipoti-Ekiti
xii) Ikere West LCDA------------------------------- Anaye
xiii) Ajoni LCDA-------------------------------------- Aiyedun
xiv) Ifelodun LCDA----------------------------------- Igbemo –Ekiti
xv) Araromi LCDA----------------------------------- Iyin –Ekiti
xvi) Ero LCDA----------------------------------------- Igogo
xvii) Ifesowapo LCDA-------------------------------- Bamisile Land
xviii) Ifeloju LCDA------------------------------------- Ilupeju- Ekiti
Ekiti man Adeyinka Adeyemi is the Managing Partner of Intermarc Consulting Limited, an ebanking, epayment as well as eGovernment intermediation business solid with a focus on Africa.
Economy
Agriculture is the main business of the people of Ekiti, as well as it is the major source of income for many inwards the state. Agriculture provides income as well as occupation for to a greater extent than than 75% of the population of Ekiti State.
Some of Ekiti’s agricultural create are: Cash crops such every bit Cocoa, Oil Palm, Kolanut, Plantain, Bananas, Cashew, Citrus as well as Timber; Arable /Food Crops such every bit Rice, Yam, Cassava, Maize as well as cowpea. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 detailed listing of agricultural create is contained inwards the tables below.
Ojojolu Theatre grouping entertaining the audience with a Sango trip the lite fantastic at the 2013 Udiroko Festival inwards Ado-Ekiti.
Origin of Ekiti Towns
Ado-Ekiti
Ado Ekiti is a metropolis inwards southwest Nigeria, the province working capital alphabetic character as well as headquarters of the Ekiti. It is also known every bit Ado. The population inwards 2004 was 446,749. The people of Ado Ekiti are mainly of the Ekiti sub-ethnic grouping of the Yoruba. Ado Ekiti City has a State owned University - the University of Ado Ekiti at nowadays Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, a privately owned University - the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, a Polytechnic - the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, 2 local boob tube as well as radio stations, - NTA Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Television (BSES), Radio Ekiti, Progress FM Ado Ekiti. Various commercial enterprises operate inwards Ado Ekiti. The metropolis is the merchandise centre for a farming part where yams, cassava, grain, as well as tobacco are grown. Cotton is also grown for weaving.
Where Ado-Ekiti is situated is a dry ground that has been continuously inhabited/occupied yesteryear human communities from fourth dimension immemorial. Available query shows that human societies of unknown antiquity occupied this neighbourhood nearly (11,000) years ago. These ancient inhabitants were in all probability the same or progenitors/ancestors of Igbon close Ogotun, Erijiyan, Ijero, Ulesun as well as Asin (near Ikole) who were in all probability autochthones because available traditions shows that they had lived inwards as well as close their abodes from fourth dimension immemorial. As a affair of fact, no i knows where, if any, they came from as well as for how long they had lived inwards those ancient sites. Ulesun appears the best-known evidently on concern human relationship of its size, the number of its subordinate communities especially Aso, Ulero, Isinla, Ilamoji, Ukere as well as Agbaun (near Igbemo), its well-organized traditional organized faith including its festivals etc. as well as its location at the heartland of Ekitiland. These ancient people were the ancestors of Ekiti, they played hosts inwards the seventh as well as eighth centuries, nearly 1,200 years ago, to waves of immigrants from the basins of the rivers Niger as well as Benue; these settled amongst the ancient Ekiti, as well as were fewer inwards number as well as so, the hosts culturally absorbed them.
Ewi immigration
After many generations, a novel moving ridge of immigrant groups penetrated this homeland; their leader every bit Ewi, instant successor of Prince Biritiokun, Son of Oduduwa, on concern human relationship of his wanderings all the way from the Republic of Benin forests, the leader was nicknamed Awamaro. Ulesun people welcomed them warmly as well as neighbouring committees came together to assist their settlement (built homesteads for them) at Oke-Ibon inwards Odo Ijigbo. Eventually, Ewi as well as his people overthrew the existing political arrangements, conquered Ulesun community, displaced its ruler Elesun as well as established a novel town, Awamaro named Ado, pregnant 'here nosotros encamp'. Ewi Awamaro as well as his successors conquered villages as well as cottage inwards the neighbourhood, replaced their rulers with their ain loyalists, stalwarts as well as scions of the royal family. The of import citizens of these conquered communities were relocated inwards Ado. Ewi supplanted Elesun every bit sovereign ruler of the aboriginal as well as settler population, many of Elesun's Chiefs were confirmed inwards their offices but they swore oaths of allegiance to the Ewi. Many of the succeeding Ewi expanded the kingdom yesteryear forcefulness of arms, annexed territories as well as gave these territories to scions of the royal families, these assumed titles which became hereditary. The expansion as well as growth of Ado-Ekiti as well as the kingdom of Ado lasted over 400 years. In the course of instruction of this expansion, Ado became associated with certainly traits. Citizens of the kingdom inwards full general as well as those of the woman parent town, Ado-Ekiti inwards particular were reputed for bully attending to cleanliness. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pop lyrical description of Ado citizenry depicts:
Ira Ule Ado m'etipise fifin seree (Ado citizens with their usually create clean heels). Ado people were, yesteryear local standard, tough as well as brave warriors. Traditions save numerous brave citizens of each Ado community, the best known were Ogbigbonihanran of Idolofin quarters, Ogunmonakan of Okelaja, Fasawo, a.k.a. Aduloju of Udemo quarters, as well as Eleyinmi Orogirigbona of Okeyinmi quarters - all of Ado-Ekiti as well as Ogunbulu, a.k.a. Ala l'oju Osoru of Aisegba. The exploits of Ado tough inwards many parts of Ekiti formed the footing of the pop orature: Ikara s'eji s'inu agbagba t'emi ukoko (Of 2 balls of cake inwards the frying-pan, he insists his part is one)
Folk, traditions are replete with fond references to Ewi's human relationship with some other Ekiti traditional rulers. Ewi's antecedents are depicted as: Elempe Ekiti (mightiest adult man inwards Ekiti) On k'emu 'kan o mu meji Oloju k'enu 'kan gba kete re (He is entitled to one, he took 2 he has a disposition to take everything) Ewi i pe mi udiroko Onitaji i pe mi esunsu...... (Ewi invites me for his udiroko festival Onitaji invites me for his esunsu festival)
Folk traditions of this nature vividly portray the towering spot of Ado-Ekiti. In the initiatory off place, Ado-Ekiti is situated at the heartland of Ekiti as well as is thus less exposed to cross-border attacks or non-Ekiti influences. Consequently, over many centuries, waves of immigrant groups seeking haven settled inwards Ado-Ekiti as well as several other Ado communities. Many of these immigrants were refugees, they left their old homelands inwards parts of Ekiti, Akoko, Owo etc. where their leaders lost out inwards chieftaincy contests. Some were state of war captives, these were brought inwards droves yesteryear Aduloju as well as his lieutenants from their slave wars of the 1870s as well as 1880s inwards parts of Owo, Ose as well as Akoko. They were settled inwards Ado communities where they increased the local population, as well as enriched the civilization with their lineage names as well as festivals inwards similar circumstances, citizens of Ado communities left their fatherland as well as settled inwards a few places inwards the neighbourhood upward to Ijesaland. Ibadan sacked many Ado communities inwards 1873 as well as made a huge haul of prisoners of state of war as well as other captives who eventually settled inwards Iwo, Ibadan as well as some Remo towns such every bit Iperu as well as Makun Sagamu. However, Ado communities especially the woman parent town offset portion of their losses with a large number of slaves as well as prisoners of state of war from Owo, Ose as well as Akoko.
Ado-Ekiti is i of the towns of the northeastern territory of Yoruba dry ground as well as passed through a succession of military, political as well as cultural changes from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro (circa 1310 A.D) who migrated at that spot to cast what became Ado-Ekiti.
Jadesola Babatola (2008) noted that the large portion of the 13th century, legend had it that many princes left Ile Ife to what later on became several Yoruba kingdoms along the due west coast of Nigeria. Among the princes were 2 born to Oduduwa yesteryear the same mother, the Oba of Republic of Benin as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. Both initiatory off settled inwards Republic of Benin forests earlier disputes amongst their people led them to separate as well as the Ewi sought a novel abode westward at Utamodi (Oke Papa). Ewi Biritiokun as well as his boy reigned there. It was Ewi Awamaro who migrated to Ilesun (Present hateful solar daytime Ado-Ekiti) after staying briefly at Udoani (Ido Ani) as well as Agbado during the long trek. When Ewi Awamaro left Agbado, the elders remained behind to ease as well as gave the settlement the call Agba Ado (Elders’ Camp) – Agbado-Ekiti every bit the town is known today. Awamaro’s spies encouraged him to assault Elesun with the back upward of Odolofin after he had settled downward at Oke Ibon (now Odo Ijigbo) as well as with the conquest of Ulesun yesteryear Awamaro, the town of Ulesun changed its call to Ado or Ado-Ewi.
The Elesun (the King) who ruled over the town of Ulesun with its satellite towns i.e. Ukere (now Ikere), Isinla, Ulamoji, Agidimo, Ikewo existed inwards what is at nowadays known every bit Ado-Ekiti earlier the emergence of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. The Elesun occupied the peak of a hierarchy where he had his subordinates every bit the Odolofin (Elesun instant inwards command), Asao, Elegemo, Alamoji, Olisinla, Olulero, Olookori etc. Elesun was the caput of the laity inwards the worship of Olota (god), the deity inwards accuse of the safety of Ulesun State. The Ulesun linguistic communication was dissimilar from Yoruba (Ado-Ewi) language. Examples are Ideregbe (Ewure or Goat), Okeregba (Aja or Dog), Amomo (Alangba or Lizard), Usa (Ikoko or Pot), Ukere (Ago or Calabash Cup), Ogolomosi (Ibepe or Pawpaw), Oyeye (Epa or Groundnut). Some of the Elesun’s chiefs such every bit Odolofin as well as Asao were accepted into the Ewi’s scheme of chieftaincy after Awamaro’s conquest. The Elegemo retained his post every bit Chief Priest as well as custodian of Iwemo Ogun. Ewi’s Warrior chiefs who provided military machine safety for palace inhabitants were the Akogun at Irona, Oloja Ese at Oke Ese, Eleyinmi at Okeyinmi as well as Egbedi at Orereowu. Ewi Awamaro subjugated Elesun’s neighbours as well as expanded his territory except Ukere (Ikere Ekiti) as well as his successors upward to Yeyenirewu followed same steps that yesteryear 1550 A.D. Ado-Ewi had acquire a large powerfulness inwards the entire Ekiti country.
The Ewis that reigned at Ado from 1444 to 1552 were: Ewi Ata (1444–1471), Ewi Owakunrugbon (1471–1490), Ewi Owamuaran (1490–1511), Yeyenirewu - The regent (1511– 1552). Ewi’s military machine exploits during the flow was to subjugate as well as annex his immediate territories extended to Ikere, Igbara Odo, Ogotun, Aramoko, Erio as well as Erijiyan amongst others. It was a long fourth dimension systematic military machine drive during the reigns of Ewi Obakunrin (1552–1574), Ewi Eleyo-Okun (1574–1599) as well as Ewi Afigbogbo Ara Soyi (1599-1630). During the reign of Ewi Gberubioya (1630-1696), Ado-Ewi was peaceful every bit state of war was abandoned inwards spot of diplomacy as well as mutual relations strategy. Ewi Gberubioya divided the Ewi dynasty into 3 ruling houses of Owaroloye (Aroloye), Atewogboye as well as Arutawekun. Ewi’s sons that ruled inwards neighbouring areas during the reign of Gberubioya included Okunbusi who became Onigede, Adubienimu who became Alawo, the Onijan, Opoakin (of Iwere), Olu Akitipa (of Odo), Aramude, Olokun, Olurasa, Onikewo as well as Olotin. One of his sons, Amujoye founded Igbemo as well as took the championship of Oba of Igbemo from its inception. Gberubioya linked the Ewi’s dynasty to both Ikole as well as Ijero because i of his wives who were betrothed to Elekole was surrendered to Ewi every bit a peace bargain as well as her children for the Elekole, Ewi as well as Ajero who took her into custody after Ewi’s demise later on ascended every bit Ewi, Elekole as well as Ajero respectively. Ido Faboro (Ido-Ekiti) took her electrical current call from Ado every bit a resultant of settlement with Ewi to remain independent of Ado during Gberubioya’s reign. Other Ewis that reigned after Gberubioya were Ewi Idagunmodo (1696-1710), Ewi Okinbaloye Aritawekun (1710-1722), Ewi Amono Ola (1722-1762), Ewi Afunbiowo (1762-1781), Ewi Akulojuorun (1781-1808), Ewi Aroloye (1808-1836), Ewi Ali Atewogboye (1836-1885), Ewi Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (1886-1910), Ewi Adewumi Agunsoye (1910 - 1936), Ewi Daniel Anirare Aladesanmi II (1937 - 1983), HRM Ewi Samuel Adeyemi George-Adelabu I (1984 - 1988) as well as HRM Alayeluwa Ewi Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III (the electrical current Ewi of Ado-Ekiti).
British occupation
From the 1880s, agents of the British, especially Christian missionaries penetrated the Yoruba interior inwards an endeavour to halt the wars, inwards particular, the wars of liberation Ekitiparapo communities waged against Ibadan since October, 1879. In June, 1886, political-cum-military officers got the belligerent parties to sign a truce as well as inwards March, 1893, Governor Carter of Lagos visited Ibadan as well as Ekitiparapo camps of Igbajo as well as Imesi-Ile as well as terminated the war, got the leaders to sign treaties which prohibited slavery as well as slave trade, human sacrifices as well as the usage of weapons to settle conflicts. The British management inwards Lagos (which had control over Yoruba hinterland from 1893) proclaimed a full general emancipation for slaves as well as ordered slaves who so wished to homecoming to their former homelands. As a result, numerous citizens of Ekiti inwards full general as well as Ado inwards particular returned from captivity forth with. The British established its colonial dominion on vast territories as well as inwards 1900, a number of districts became Nigeria. Eventually, farther reorganizations led to the creation inwards January, 1913 of Ekiti District, with headquarters inwards Ado-Ekiti. That was a landmark from where to set out the word of today, modern times, a flow characterized yesteryear the emergence of novel things, phenomenal growth as well as evolution of old kingdom as well as its Chief city, Ado-Ekiti.
Ado-Ekiti Layout every bit a Yoruba Settlement inwards 1800s
Jadesola Babatola (2013) noted that the characteristics of average human settlements across the Yoruba land upward to 19th century have got been identified every bit a formation of 2 basic settlement patterns – the main town as well as the subordinate towns. In quoting P.C. Llyod (1962:54-57) he presented that the metropolitan (main) town is sometimes larger than the subordinate towns spell its rulership as well as kinship are based on patrilinear succession within the agnatic lineage. The traditional layout organisation was usually based on geographic location, population size, demand for expansion, merchandise opportunities, settlers’ vocation as well as military machine vulnerability of major towns over subordinate towns inwards addressing their strategic merchandise as well as military machine advantage. Across Yorubaland, it was observed that variations as well as modification inwards the location as well as access to King’s palace inwards particular amongst the settings for the King’s marketplace as well as coming together places inwards designated areas were determined yesteryear the town’s topography, civilization as well as politics as well as the extent of command over the people as well as the local economy.
The full general Yoruba traditional chemical compound described yesteryear T.J. Bowen inwards his Adventures as well as Missionary labours inwards the Interior of Africa from 1849-1856, as well as the Revd. R.H. Stone’s inwards Afric’s Forest as well as Jungle, was farther described inwards yesteryear PC Llyod’s Comparative Study of the Political Institutions inwards Some Yoruba Towns, an unpublished B.Sc thesis (1952). For avoidance of doubt, the Intelligence Report produced yesteryear N.A.C. Weir (1933) reported a full general framework of township organisation inwards Ado-Ekiti inwards the early on British colonial rule, which is similar to what existed during the pre-colonial era. Weir (1933) noted that the theater unit of measurement (Ebi) every bit the smallest unit of measurement which is grouped into Village (Ileto) or Sub-Quarter (Ogbon) or Quarter (Adugbo) inwards a town (Ilu). However Weir made an mistake of assertion when he claimed that ‘the wars or slave raids of the 19th century were the greatest factors inwards the creation of the larger towns.’
Weir’s mistake was based on his lack of agreement of the traditional layout pattern inwards Yoruba dry ground as well as his misconception of the facts behind the growth of major towns which he attributed purely to illegitimate as well as legitimate trade. The existing traditional organisation ever recognized some socio-economic as well as political factors necessary for the formation as well as setting of townships inwards Yoruba land. Recounting the assertions of E. Kraff Askaris, I. Olomola (2013) observed that the Palace of a paramount ruler is the centre of political as well as economical activities such that both the palace as well as fundamental (Oba’s) marketplace lay at the centre of the town as well as all route to as well as from the outer. Communities converged on it similar spokes of wheel. Both Palace as well as Market were sacred places every bit good every bit centres of ritual sacrifices as well as worship of tutelary deities.
The panoramic stance of Ado-Ekiti inwards the 19th century was a characteristic of average Yoruba settlement. Llyod (1962) noted that the traditional layout existing across settlements inwards Yoruba dry ground inwards the pre-colonial era formed portion of the physical features of Ado-Ekiti. He described how Ado-Ekiti was traditionally arranged amongst settlers. See diagram of source inwards P.C. Llyod (1962:56) Yoruba Land Law. Using the foregoing parameters, i tin depict the nature as well as pattern of settlements of Ado-Ekiti inwards the pre-colonial era yesteryear pinpointing existing organisation inwards Ado-Ekiti every bit it reflects on the growth of the metropolis or main town (Ilu-Nla) as well as the subordinate towns (Ilu-Kekere) inwards the peripheries (Agbegbe) or subordinate areas. Furthermore, the sketch devised yesteryear Llyod (1962:56) showed the construction of Ado-Ekiti settlement every bit a metropolitan town surrounded yesteryear subordinate towns as well as communities with Ado-Ekiti layout coordinated as well as co-existing with the layout of the subordinate towns surrounding the municipality inwards similar ways.
Ewi’s Suzerainty inwards Ado-Ekiti Traditional Layout as well as 1800s Settlements: Ado-Ekiti as well as all other Ado communities consisted of a ‘large number of traditional rectangular compounds grouped into the quarters of the town’. Within the Ado-Ekiti township layout, the Ewi’s Palace lay inwards the middle, though it was initiatory off built at Oke-Ibon as well as and then moved to Chief Arowa’s Palace strands beside the Erekesin (King’s Market) earlier it was moved into the vintage dot of Oke Ewi where it has finally settled over 200 years ago. The sitting of Ewi’s Palace within Ado’s topography is discussed inwards the piece of work of G.J.A. Ojo (1966:76) who noted that Yoruba palaces (aafin) are the residence of King (Oba) as well as sacred places that houses shrines as well as temples to all deities worshipped inwards the kingdom, together with a number of places reserved for ritual activities, oath taking etc. Llyod (1962:192) inwards similar mode justified the status of the Ewi every bit a scared ruler inwards the typical Yoruba fashion. Oral tradition farther hinged the sacredness of Ewi as well as the location of Ewi’s Palace at the centre of the primary metropolis (Ado-Ekiti) on the grade of his human relationship as well as the latitude which his High Chiefs, Military Chiefs, Palace Chiefs as well as Royal Princes who acted every bit patron chiefs over hamlets as well as surrounding villages enjoy.
The traditional layout of Ado-Ewi appeared to have got taken definite shape from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro every bit a affair of strategic repositioning for Kingdom edifice as well as political control of the rural as well as conquered communities. The traditional layout blueprint of Ado-Ekiti relocated most of the early on settlers exterior the vicinity of Ewi’s Palace. It was an organisation that also left the Ado community as well as the subordinate towns to revolve some Ewi inwards a preferred order. The enlargement of the Ewi’s Kingdom during the reign of Ewi Gberubioya (1630-1696) inwards the 17th century as well as other successive Ewis upward into slow 19th century which covers the flow nether review with the expansion of the main town’s layout indicates that they did non alter the traditions for town settings which is similar to what is obtained inwards many other of Yoruba major towns.
Wife of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Eyesorun Bosede Adejugbe; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; as well as Wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, when the governor's married adult woman visited the palace,
In the most portion of 1800 (19th Century) as well as early on 20th century, Ado people were adherents inwards African traditional organized faith with fervent worship of the supernatural, ancestral as well as embodied spirits of varying categories, which revolve circular Ewi’s Palace institution. The mode of worship as well as observance of traditional rites revolved some alaponmi, Oitado as well as alafonyos, Ogun festival as well as Iwe Mo Ogun, Egungun festivals - Ade, Aeregbe, Orude, Epa, Odede festivals as well as the most important, beingness Udiroko which is the traditional Ado Day, the initiatory off hateful solar daytime inwards the traditional calendar. Traditional shrines were created for Orisa Ojido, Uba Lota, Ayoba, Oke Egbe (now Ayunbo), Odudu, Osun, Ose, Ogbese, Ajilosun, Isewese, Atan – All of them fertility deities.
The role of Ado-Ekiti inwards the growth of Yoruba organized faith as well as politics intertwined as well as influenced the survival of Ewi’s realm spell co-habiting as well as co-existing with her subordinate as well as satellite towns as well as other neighbouring communities. The tenancy embedded inwards the spiritual organisation of the Ado-Ekiti layout inwards that era suffices. Narratives as well as archival materials embedded inwards the works of Chief J.E. Babatola (1976) written inwards concert with 31 Ado Chiefs every bit a rejoinder to a reconstruction of Ado history yesteryear Chief J.A. Fashubaa, the Oisa tallied with the historical approaches. It also highlighted the traditional panoramic stance of Ado-Ekiti inwards 1800s as well as the nature of her municipality as well as the grouping intersections of her 3 notable traditional sectors inwards a unique organisation that farther conceptualized the traditional components of the Ewi’s cabinet. The layout pattern was shown inwards a sketch that depicted the traditional layout of Ado landscape inwards the pre-colonial era (1800s) every bit reproduced yesteryear Chief J.E. Babatola on the re-arrangement of Ado landscape as well as Chieftaincies outset from the reign of Ewi Awamaro Source: 31 Ado Chiefs Rejoinder to Chief Oisa Fasuba’s Memo 1975/76
Ewi’s Realm –Territoriality as well as Politics of Division inwards Ewi’s Kingdom: At the peak of Ado-Ekiti influence inwards Ekiti dry ground inwards the 18th as well as 19th centuries, legend has it that Ado kingdom consisted of 150 (ewadojo) communities as well as that the metropolis of the kingdom was Ado-Ekiti Township where the Ewi every bit Sovereign superintended over the realm every bit the sovereign head. The Oluyin, the Alare, the Alaworoko, the Elesure, the Eleyio as well as the Onigbemo are really of import rulers of subordinate towns within the immediate precinct of the Ewi’s municipality. Within the Ewi’s Kingdom, heads of subordinate towns oftentimes performed specific political as well as spiritual roles as well as responsibilities inwards the service of the Kingdom inwards monastic tell to retain as well as sustain their human relationship with the powerful King spell supporting the layers of interrelations amongst towns inwards the realm. Legend has it that it was a tradition inwards Ado-Ekiti for influential members of the royal household (Omo Oba or Omo Owa) to live sent to subordinate Ado-Ekiti community to found novel dynasties on established settlements inwards buffer zones as well as borderland areas.
Rulers of subordinate towns similar Iyin-Ekiti (Uyin Alelagba) as well as Are-Ekiti were brothers as well as relations of the Ewi who co-existed as well as led their respective townships every bit co-ordinate lesser cities of Ado-Ekiti. They ruled inwards those towns with a stance to creating stability for the Ewi who was a ruler of higher importance inwards the main city, Ado-Ekiti, spell his brothers are rulers over lesser Ado towns where they maintained required importance as well as role to save the Ewi’s realm as well as attain an equation of heart as well as stability against Ewi’s potential regional neighbours. The existence of these chieftains aid to save Ewi’s involvement as well as to protect Ado-Ekiti from directly invasion yesteryear whatever ambitious adventurer since the chiefs stand upward for Ewi’s involvement inwards those subordinate as well as neighbouring towns, farm settlements, hamlets as well as subordinate towns. The headship of most of these towns was selected from the ruling lineage that was created yesteryear the senior chiefs, dependent to the ratification of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti.
J.O. Olubobokun inwards his works – Itan Iyin (1980) every bit corroborated yesteryear A.O. Oguntuyi (1986:9) asserted that Iyin is i of the subordinate towns of Ado-Ekiti founded yesteryear Oluyin Agbogbomaje, e.g. the sword bearer (Oluda) who accompanied Ewi Awamaro to settle inwards Ado earlier he was allocated dry ground to the West of Ado town as well as settled inwards a spot called Uro where he was later on joined yesteryear people of Ibedoyin, Oketoro as well as Okelawe inwards forming a total of 16 quarters which later on truncated into i town. The essence hither is that Iyin people were portion of Ado Kingdom that gained royal autonomy to co-exist every bit separate community nether the realm of the Ewi without severing traditional ties as well as blood relations with Ewi as well as Ado people. The deep traditional human relationship that existed betwixt the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti as well as the Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti for instance requiring those rulers of the subordinate towns some Ado-Ekiti to participate inwards specific rites at the decease or installation of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti tends to highlight the role of covenant renewal inwards the community for the continuity of Ewi’s ‘imperial’ or hegemonic status as well as influence inwards the subordinate Towns.
It is worth noting that, the rulers of these subordinate towns held rights of sovereignty similar to those wielded yesteryear the Ewi of Ado inwards making rules as well as that Llyod (1962:221) asserted that ‘the Ewi, nevertheless holds certainly sovereign rights over the entire Kingdom’. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 major characteristic is that each of the subordinate towns also has its separate rulers as well as chiefs, with a stair out of importance as well as observe fifty-fifty when they handgrip lesser status or rank inwards relation to the Ewi who takes preeminence over them due to his prominence, influence, traditional rights, military machine might, population as well as size of the realm.
In Ado-Ekiti, the championship of Ewi every bit a metropolitan sovereign is hereditary as well as alternatively contested yesteryear members of the 2 prominent ruling houses that had gained traditional preeminence within the royal household during flow nether review, whenever the stool of Ewi became vacant. Heads of subordinate towns inwards old Ado-Ekiti Kingdom may non live regarded every bit Baale (High Chiefs) every bit commonly seen inwards Yoruba communities of the Ibadan as well as Oyo country. Rather they were Traditional Rulers (Oba Ilu), though of lower status to the King-Emperor (Oba Alayeluwa or Oba lori Agbegbe) who resides inwards the main town, a spot occupied yesteryear the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti inwards the 19th century. In the circumstances where subjected towns as well as their rebellion-prone rulers were faraway or close but troublesome yesteryear striving for autonomy or independence from Ewi’s influence every bit identified inwards instance of the Alawe, the Olosi, the Olode, the Onijan as well as the Onimesi; rulers of other subordinate towns as well as Ewi’s chieftains were constantly on paw to banking concern check them against crisis that could create chaos or attract unusual invasions.
There is no uncertainty that the festering political human relationship betwixt dominant Ado as well as its old subordinate Ikere town played into the hands of Republic of Benin inwards 1815 every bit asserted thus: ‘…the rapid expansion of Ado brought it into conflict with Benin, some other powerfulness with imperialistic designs inwards Ekiti. Responding to the invitation yesteryear Ado’s neighbouring states who had acquire unduly alarmed yesteryear the consolidation as well as excesses of the Ewi’s power, Republic of Benin regular army invaded as well as subjugated Ado inwards add-on to overrunning most of the other Ekiti states some of whose ruling dynasties, every bit inwards Ikere, were replaced…’ G.O. Ogunremi as well as A. Adediran (eds) (1998:17)
The oral tradition of that fourth dimension depicted the irony of the rivalries as well as adversities attracted to the Ado Township as well as the Ewi when describing her bespeak for expansion inwards Ekiti every bit popularly recounted thus: ‘Ogun yeye, b’Ewi ja, Ajase I loo Ewi’ Meaning ‘Many are the adversity of the King of Ado-Ekiti (Ewi), but the powerfulness of triumph lies inwards his hands.’ The continuous opposition to Ewi’s paramountcy yesteryear a large number of Ekiti royalties across the dry ground is a pointer to the fearfulness inherent inwards Ewi’s notable majestic ambitions from 17th to 19th century, which became threats on the status as well as economic scheme of other notable towns, who were also aiming at prominence as well as equality within the regional powerfulness sharing construction of Ekiti country. No doubt, the characteristics of town formation inwards Ado-Ekiti surface area distinguish the woman parent town (the metropolis) where the most of import chiefs reside from the subordinate towns where other rulers existed.
Ado-Ekiti Society as well as Chief’s Status inwards the Towns inwards 1800s: There are the 2 major grades of chieftaincy titles inwards Ado-Ekiti every bit the ihare as well as ijoye. For instance, the ihare grade inwards Oke Ewi (one of the 3 Ado Quarters) is divided into 2 – The Senior chiefs known every bit Olori Marun as well as the junior chiefs consisting of 5 Elesi as well as 10 Ijegbe. High Chiefs (Baale) inwards Ado-Ekiti similar several others inwards dissimilar parts of Ekiti dry ground were the senior ranking cabinet members of the King-Emperor’s courtroom within the realm. They emerged every bit most senior chiefs representing recognized leading lineages as well as chemical compound (agbo ile), chieftaincy families as well as settlements inwards the 3 sectors as well as quarters of the main town.
The sectors from where the High Chiefs existed also consisted of their immediate abode as well as extended families, the existing lineages (idi) as well as groups which Llyod (1962:191) described every bit (idile or ebi) – the main patrilineage corporate group. Others inwards the sector are the abode as well as farm settlements of lesser chiefs as well as their families which Llyod (1962:55) regarded every bit hamlets (abule or Ileto) spell describing typical settlement patterns inwards Ekiti inwards comparing with those from Ijebu as well as Ondo country. By Ado traditions, descendants inwards the virile somebody line have got exclusive rights to dry ground inwards perpetuity dependent to communal rights of hunting as well as the Ewi’s correct every bit Sovereign ruler to certainly trees as well as game. Grant of dry ground to non-indigene requires permission of Ewi as well as his Chiefs to forestall subtle arrival of unknown strangers who could halt upward every bit agents of hostile communities or invaders planning to assault the realm.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 reflection of this tradition embedded inwards the status of rulers of subordinate towns upward to the 19th century replayed itself during the settlement of a dry ground dispute betwixt the Oluyin as well as Odofinyin inwards 1940. It was pronounced according to native law as well as customs that the Oluyin could non arbitrarily impel himself on the traditional rights of his chiefs though he held an incontestable spot every bit the Head Chief (Ruler) of Uyin Ekiti (a subordinate town) of Ado-Ekiti. This determination was derived from the tradition that everyone inwards Ado Township has his paternal as well as maternal dry ground over which the ruler has no ownership or directly control. The Ewi’s controls over dry ground yesteryear tradition were limited to areas designated every bit royal lands, world or opened upward dry ground where the attending of Ewi as well as his chiefs should live sought. By tradition, Ado people would naturally challenge Ewi’s intrusion on theater unit of measurement lands as well as revolt against him if world dry ground had been tampered with, unless the consent of Ado chiefs as well as the people were sought as well as gotten. P.C. Llyod (1962:200) noted that the Ewi’s 1940 crisis could live traced to these traditions because he was alleged to have got breached same yesteryear alienating palace dry ground for reverse purposes.
In the 1800s, heads of most hamlets as well as villages inwards Ado kingdom were Ewi’s chiefs or rulers of subordinate towns who dominion inwards the subordinate towns though lesser inwards rank as well as status to Ewi. They are non servile but were subservient to Ado monarch. The import of the higher upward explanation is that the lesser Kings as well as Chiefs whose towns surround the main town were autonomous as well as allowed to operate the running of their local affairs as well as economic scheme as well as inwards taking decisions which did non conflict with the Ado scheme of governance, political tradition as well as civilization nor attract the involvement of the King-Emperor to adjudicate upon.
The Ewi inwards Council as well as organisation of Ado-Ekiti Chiefs from the 1800s: The Intelligence Report produced inwards November, 1933 yesteryear N.A.C. Weir could non essentially create adequate information on ancient organisation of Ado-Ekiti due to his inability to elicit required information from the local people. Rather he concluded from his observations that the information is non-existent. Yet he wrote thus: ’…In Ado at that spot is an aboriginal theater unit of measurement inwards a number of towns or villages…It is hence hard the to a greater extent than hard to describe their ancient organisation because they know cypher of their history prior to their migration here. They came with their organisation consummate as well as at that spot is cypher of their history to demo how it was built up. Whole villages accompanied the Ewi to this portion of the Ekiti dry ground as well as every bit a powerful settler, he parceled out what dry ground at that spot was. The aboriginals were so scattered or so weak that they could offering no resistance to his advance as well as followed the only course of instruction left to them, that of securing the skillful volition of the fresh arrivals…’
From various accounts of Ado history, Ado-Ekiti with her farm settlements was the largest kingdom inwards the Ekiti Confederation, though Ado inwards itself is an amalgam of 3 constituent sectors largely brought together after the Ewi’s conquest of Ilesun every bit OKE EWI, ODO ADO, as well as OGBON META (three coordinate as well as equal settlements of Oke Ila, Odo Ora as well as Oke Efon).
Llyod amongst others asserted that at that spot were no records of the ranking of chiefs earlier the 20th century because most lineages grew inwards size, yesteryear the absorption of Ado citizens of other lineages as well as yesteryear increases due to possession of slaves spell the to a greater extent than regular pattern inwards the town consists of 5 or half-dozen lineages, with each of constituting a quarter where at that spot be those who handgrip senior titles inwards relation to those with junior titles, whether or non hereditary. Many of Ewi’s chiefs as well as town settlers within Ado-Ekiti autumn into i of the next 3 categories regardless of their emerging importance as well as role inwards the activities as well as authorities of Ewi’s Kingdom yesteryear 1800 viz. a. The Aboriginals as well as Early Settlers b. The Ewi’s Royal Court as well as companion settlers c. The adventurers as well as immigrant settlers who the Ewi granted citizenship status
Among the aboriginal as well as early on settlers are groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet. Some of the Chiefs which Ewi met inwards Ado are: a. Odolofin inwards Odo Ado Sector b. Olora inwards Ogbon Meta Sector c. Asawa from Odo Ado Sector
Members of the Ewi royal courts as well as accompanying Chieftains inwards the groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet include: a. Aro inwards Odo Ado Sector b. Arowa inwards Oke Ewi Sector
Adventurers as well as immigrant settlers of Ewi who became citizens as well as chieftains inwards the groups of Chiefs with higher or lesser status inwards the Ewi’s cabinet include: a. Alarerin inwards Ogbon Meta Sector from Oke Ila via Ila Orangun b. Odofin inwards Odo Ado Sector from Oba (now Oba Ile) close Akure c. Ejigbo inwards Oke Ewi Sector from Imesi Lasigidi (Now Imesi-Ekiti) East of Ado d. The Esewa inwards Oke Ewi Sector who came from Esewa, Ido Ani e. The Ola inwards Eleyinmi, Oke Ewi Sector who came from Ode-Ekiti f. The Sasere inwards Oke Ewi Sector who came from Omuo at nowadays North East
The number of High Chiefs whose status qualify them every bit senior cabinet members (ihare) inwards the Ewi inwards Council inwards the 19th century were twelve inwards number as well as their role was designed inwards the plough of that century, non necessarily yesteryear their seniority, but yesteryear their importance as well as contributions to Ewi’s traditional control for the advancement of Ado’s political stability as well as progress higher upward other traditional chiefs (ijoye) of the Ewi. The twelve senior chiefs were drawn from the 3 major traditional sectors of Ado-Ekiti classified below:
OKE EWI SECTOR Odogun (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Interior Minister as well as Head of Okeyinmi Quarters) Ejigbo (Ewi’s Traditional Chamberlain as well as Head of Ijigbo Quarters) Baisaya (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Baisaya Quarters) Asa (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Asa Quarters) Sasere (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Sasere Quarters)
ODO ADO SECTOR Odofin (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Idofin Quarters) Aro (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Ularo Quarters) Odolofin (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Udolofin Quarters) Edemo (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Udemo Quarters)
OGBON META SECTOR Alarerin (Sector Chairman, Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Oke Ila Quarters) Olora (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Odo Ora Quarters) Odunro (Ewi’s Cabinet Minister as well as Head of Odo Uro Quarters)
Ado-Ekiti 1800s turbulence as well as the advent of British Colonial Rule: Much of the flow betwixt the slow 1700 as well as early on 1800s, were periods of dislocation as well as resettlements for Ado-Ekiti Kingdom. According to A.O. Oguntuyi (1986:13-17): ‘The evolution of the Ado Kingdom was seriously affected yesteryear external invasion. These resulted inwards serial of demographic upheavals with settlements constantly moved from i site to another. The most serious of these external invasions were yesteryear the Edo of Benin. They attacked as well as destroyed many settlements…in the Ado Kingdom…The Binis were invited yesteryear Ogoga, the tertiary fourth dimension the Binis were so invited to settle the quarrel betwixt Ado as well as Ikere. The line of activity they resolved to adopt was to convey all the villages nether the ewi to Ikere, settle them at that spot as well as inwards this way Ikere would live equal or fifty-fifty bigger than Ado. Ado would as well as then live afraid of Ikere. The Republic of Benin soldiers came…and sent words to the Ewi Aroloye…He refused to surrender. He did non inwards whatever way demo that he was non ready for fight. Every town or hamlet nether him except Ijan were prepared to fight…The Republic of Benin soldiers stormed Igbara-Odo as well as Ilawe as well as took them. At this time, Ado town had been vacated. Aroloye took the people to a spot called Oke Oko Axis betwixt Ifaki as well as Iworoko. Most of the gods Ado worshipped on that side: Olua at Eyio, Obanifon at Esure as well as Are, Ogbese as well as Orisala at Iworoko. The soldiers pitched their camps close Uyin (Iyin)…Ogbesi Okun, the as well as then Oluyin …was conquered as well as killed. They proceeded to Igede, Awo as well as Esure as well as took them. The inhabitants of Igede as well as then uder Okiribiti were driven inwards a north-easternly direction to a spot called Oke Asha…Edo troops as well as then marched to Iworoko…The soldiers entered Are…The same fate befell Afao. They were all taken to Ikere. The soldiers moved to Igbemo …entered Igbo-Omoba (now Ilu-Omoba)…The soldiers left Aisegba for Agbado as well as without delay took it as well as evacuated the people. Agbado was the in conclusion spot nether the Ewi. With the conquest, of Agbado, the soldiers seemed to have got finished their job…’
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe III during the 2013 Udiroko Cultural Festival
Isola Olomola (2005:8-12) dwell extensively on the panoramic stance of Ekiti inwards nearly 1800. He noted that the ravages of invaders as well as slave raiders from Benin, Nupe-Fulani, Ilorin-Fulani as well as Ibadan dry ground turned many medium sized towns as well as large number of villages into turmoil, political as well as social turbulence. Drawing on the characteristics as well as legend of traditional settlements inwards Ekiti dry ground with reference to major Kingdoms of Ado, Ikole, Ijero as well as Moba, Olomola (2005:9) asserted thus: ‘Each Kingdom consisted of a major (mother) town as well as a few or numerous subordinate communities spell each city-state comprised a main town as well as a dyad of villages as well as cottages. Each Kingdom or metropolis province was, to all intent as well as purposes, a territorial unit of measurement over which its Oba (ruler), for all practical purposes, was sovereign from its inception…The Oba of the woman parent town wore crowns as well as lived a life governed yesteryear protocol, spell the heads of subordinate communities …wore crown lets (orikogbofo) as well as caps...No portion of Ekiti was spared the agony of imperialist invasions…The rampaigning Republic of Benin armies sacked Ogotun, Aramoko, some subordinate communities of Ijero, Ado communities such every bit Are, Afao, Ugbo (now Ilu) Omoba as well as Agbado as well as settled a large pct of the haul of captives therefrom inwards Ikere, their garrison post. The Nupe-Fulani…armies invaded Gbonyin district of Ado…Between 1845 as well as 1846, these invaders sacked… (Ekiti) towns as well as ravaged the countryside…Balogun Ibikunle led Ibadan armies to the rescue…and later on inwards 1850 turned the intervention to punitive wars …Ibadan chiefs led their personal armies into Ekiti as well as next communities…In Jan 1873, the Aare Momo (Mohammed) Latosisa launched a total scale invasion of fundamental as well as northern Ekiti…sacked Ado as well as many of its subordinate communities…’
During the flow of Ado-Ekiti dispersal as well as relocation inwards slow 1700 as well as after the homecoming of Ewi as well as other settlers to their original abode inwards mid 1800, small-scale modifications inwards the settlement organisation occurred inwards communities exterior Ado metropolis wall as well as inwards the opened upward dry ground available occupied yesteryear royal household as well as other settlers apart from areas taken over yesteryear larger chieftains after the dispersal of some Ado chieftains who resettled elsewhere when Ewi returned to Ado metropolis. Most communities which returned with the Ewi re-occupied their original quarters/ settlements to rebuild them except those who moved from their original settlements exterior the Ado township walls into the main town inwards monastic tell to bring down the directly impact of attacks yesteryear invaders on them whenever hostilities broke out. The modification that affected dry ground business as well as re-allocation, border relations as well as safety were aimed at reducing imminent threats to Ewi’s Kingdom. Hence, the traditional layout allowed for creation of novel quarters inwards the main town to maintain solidarity, military machine back upward as well as boost the farming economy.
Ewi Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (1886-1910) had a peaceful reign devoid of Ikere attacks. This was made possible yesteryear the fact that Ado wars with Ikere ended through the peace covenant initiated yesteryear a Prince - Oba Oyinbolaja (Oba Dadi). He was reported to have got convinced the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti as well as the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti to have got colonial dominion of the white adult man as well as to halt human sacrifices. When the Ewi accepted colonial rule, he sent emissaries to Captain R.L Bower (the Resident as well as Travelling Commissioner of Interior Yoruba inwards 1894) through the aid of Ifamuboni (later Babamboni) as well as and then Ado-Ekiti was regarded every bit a territory within the British Protectorate. It was recorded that Mr. Campbell was the initiatory off Briton to see Ado-Ekiti for province of affairs assessment as well as written report inwards observe of Kiriji Proclamations at the termination of the Yoruba wars.
In the concern human relationship of Ewi Anirare Aladesanmi II (1977:9) he noted that the Peace Treaty signed on i hand, betwixt the Ekitis as well as their Ife as well as Ijebu allies with Ibadan inwards 1886 made Ekitis (Ado-Ekiti inclusive) independent nether the British Government of Lagos, though no directly colonial management was witnessed until the setting upward of Ekiti Council for members of Ekiti Confederacy on 21 June 1900. The efforts of Evangelist Isaac Ifamuboni (later Babamuboni) as well as a number of early on Christians from Lagos, Abeokuta as well as Ibadan who introduced the tillage of cocoa, maize, dark-brown cocoyam as well as made wage earning labourers to go from Ado-Ekiti to piece of work inwards Ondo, Ijebu as well as Ife inwards monastic tell to boost the tillage of economical trees inwards the early on portion of 1900s were legend of the closing historic flow of that era. The contact of the Ewi as well as Ado people with the British opened a novel chapter for Ado Kingdom inwards the 20th century. It was a chapter that eventually resulted inwards elevation of Ado-Ekiti every bit a District headquarters of Ekiti Native Authority inwards Ondo Province (of Northeastern Yoruba Territories) which formed portion of the Western Region inwards the Colony as well as Protectorate of Nigeria (now the Federal Republic of Nigeria) as well as is today, the working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State.
The gradual interruption downward as well as fierce apart of Ewi’s Kingdom after 19th century yesteryear the advent of British colonial dominion is made poignant with the grant of political as well as territorial autonomy to various towns as well as villages nether Ewi’s influence inwards the pre-colonial era. This is farther strengthened yesteryear the creation of modern local authorities scheme as well as the composition of Council of Chiefs with the re-grading of the status of Chiefs as well as granting of total autonomies to natural rulers inwards several communities.
Recent times
Chief J.E. Babatola (1995) noted that Ado Ekiti remains a geographical as well as historic centre of Ekitiland, a nuclear setting amongst the old 16 Kingdoms as well as the political administrative arrangements that succeeded them supported it. The originally 16 associated kingdoms that spanned the Ekiti dry ground had diplomatic ties which depended much for a proper functioning on the role that the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti as well as the General of his Army played inwards sustaining harmony inwards the entire Ekiti territory. He asserted that the kingdoms of Egbe Oba (Ikole) as well as Ijero gave Ado-Ekiti continual back upward inwards playing a leadership role. Hence, the traditional ties as well as leadership role of Ado-Ekiti as well as the fundamental spot of Ewi’s Kingdom amongst the 3 potential rulers of Ekitiland inwards its medieval flow of history suffice.
In the course of instruction of the history of Ekiti, only kingdoms exterior a directly centrifugal influence exerted from Ado-Ekiti were those of Otun, Ishan, Ayede as well as Emure, 3 of them inwards the extreme due north as well as i on the extreme south. During the advent of colonial dominion inwards Ekiti, betwixt 1899 as well as 1912, the British Colonial Government administered Ekitiland from Oke Imo as well as from 1913 decided to take Ado-Ewi every bit a convenient centre for its Ekiti administration, spell changing the town’s call to Ado-Ekiti inwards recognition that Ado-Ekiti is the nervus centre of Ekiti people’s social as well as economical activities. In the areas of religious harmony inwards Ekiti affairs, major religious activities designed for Ekiti especially for both the Anglican as well as the Roman Catholic Churches, have got Ado-Ekiti every bit the Seat of their Bishops. In the academic field, Ado-Ekiti is the spot of the Federal Polytechnic as well as the Ondo State University (now renamed Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti). The location of these institutions hence bears witness to the central-ness of Ado Ekiti inwards the pump of Ekitiland.
Chief J.E. Babatola also indicated that most of the organizations that made demands for the creation of an Ekiti State wanted Ado-Ekiti every bit its working capital alphabetic character because Ado-Ekiti is uniquely a natural setting capable of resultant evolution of its landscape as well as facilities inwards a way to assist the finance of the management of a novel State. Part of the summary of the presentation to Mbanefo’s Panel on State Creation for the choice of Ado-Ekiti every bit the State Capital inwards Chief Babatola’s submission was his presentation of the Ekiti Map where he referred to the population sizes of Ekitis as well as showed that the percentages yielded yesteryear the population of Ekiti North (headquarters at Ikole), Ijero (headquarters at Ijero) as well as Ero (headquarters at Ido Ekiti) are respectively 13.03, 0.93, as well as 15.35, spell that of Ado stood at 28.43% of their entire population. He noted that inwards using a map of Ekiti produced earlier Akure opted out of the Ekiti confederacy inwards 1946, the centre of residual geometrically inwards Ekitiland betwixt 1913 as well as 1946 was Itaipe surface area (the picnic Earth at Ado-Ekiti). He highlighted the efforts of Ado-Ekiti people to brand the Ekiti Division of Ondo Province attain evolution inwards damage of route transportation, creation of dry ground banking concern for concern as well as official usage through existence of route infrastructures to link the town with the other Ekiti administrative divisions, extensive Government Reservation Areas to theater authorities officials (i.e. District Officers, judges as well as magistrates), the Ewi-in-Council 1975 augmentation of Government efforts yesteryear creation of dry ground banking concern for evolution purposes, construction of several buildings yesteryear the Federal as well as State Governments for the official usage of the administrative, judiciary, police clitoris as well as prison theater departments, existing communication facilities as well as adequate provision for effective management of justice as well as safety of lives inwards Ekitiland which is at its best inwards Ado-Ekiti. He noted that since Ekitis naturally come upward to Ado-Ekiti regularly as well as settle at that spot inwards large numbers to do concern as well as contribute enormously to the increased prosperity of Ekiti people, Ado-Ekiti is a befitting spot to site the capital. He concluded that ‘…Ado-Ekiti is already a fortunate property with no liability attached inwards setting upward the apparatus for a province capital…”
Ado-Ekiti eventually became the working capital alphabetic character of Ekiti State when the province was created on 1 Oct 1996. The demand for equity amongst Ekiti people as well as equality of Ekiti Kingdoms was brought to lite inwards the agitation for the location of the province working capital alphabetic character inwards dissimilar communities; no portion of Ekiti would reckon itself every bit subordinate or less developed to the others. This is the politics of evolution inwards modern Ekiti State since 1999 as well as i of the major challenges of political governance, leadership aspirations as well as policy making.
Political violence sparked a protestation march inwards Ado-Ekiti inwards Jan 2009. Residents took to the streets demanding authorities activity next a spate of political violence involving reported murders, assassination attempts, as well as at to the lowest degree i arson of a journalist's home.[2]
Demographics
Some 50 years ago, the metropolis began to grow/expand beyond its peripheries as well as ancient gates as well as ramparts. In 1963, the metropolis was the largest urban centre inwards nowadays Ondo as well as Ekiti States as well as its population of 158,000 at the census of that yr represented it every bit the most populous urban centre inwards Eastern Yorubaland. The 1991 population count confirmed the primacy of the city, at to the lowest degree inwards Ekiti. The creation of Ekiti State inwards Oct 1996 as well as the establishment of province working capital alphabetic character at Ado-Ekiti volition farther heighten the city's physical development.
The phenomenal growth as well as evolution mentioned higher upward have got been due to many factors. Many of these are citizens of Ado urban, some are citizens of Ado rural, some are stranger elements, a dyad of them are fifty-fifty Europeans as well as other expatriates. The citizenry warmly welcomed these development. For example, when the main route from the National Bank junction, through Erekesan as well as Ereguru to Ojumose was tarred inwards 1952 as well as the major route from Ajilosun through Ijigbo, Orereowu, Okesa as well as Obada etc. a subdivision of Akure - Ilorin road, was tarred inwards 1956, the really welcome evolution was rendered inwards pop juju songs, i of which rang:
Baba wa te 'ri oda l'ado (Our fathers walked on tarred roads at Ado)
Ko o bi ko e e (what a delight, what a delight)
e e o (very good so)
Ko o bi ko e e (What a delight, what a delight)
The layout of Ado-Ewi drawn upward as well as successfully implemented from the fourth dimension of Ewi Awamaro as well as enlarged yesteryear Ewi Gberubioya were only slightly modified to address the issues of border relations, internal safety as well as reduction of threats to the heartland of Ewi’s Kingdom after the turbulence as well as wars of 19th century. Since the era of Ewi Awamaro, the blueprint of Ado-Ewi Layout had been implemented inwards a mode that left the initiatory off settlers relocated exterior the vicinity of the Ewi’s Palace inwards an organisation that left the community some Ewi inwards a preferred order. Ewi’s palace was initiatory off built where Chief Arowa at nowadays resides unopen to Erekesan (King’s Market). The layout was portion of the physical features inwards the traditional settings as well as layout of Ado-Ekiti, the panoramic stance every bit at the outset of 1800. Ewi Akulojuorun (1781-1808), Ewi Aroloye (1808-1836) who reigned at Ado but was attacked successively yesteryear Republic of Benin hordes.
Ado-Ekiti was a 3 sector traditional grouping with its unique organisation of its ingredient traditional entities inwards the Ewi’s traditional cabinet. The 3 major traditional political divisions of Ado-Ekiti with their unique graphic explanation of the Ewi’s traditional cabinet are every bit shown inwards the historical graph produced yesteryear Chief J.E. Babatola with 31 Ado Chiefs every bit a Rejoinder to Chief Oisa Fasuba’s Memo 1975/76 on the organisation of Ado landscape as well as Chieftaincy outset from the reign of Ewi Awamaro. It shows that Ado-Ekiti consist of OKE EWI, ODO ADO as well as OGBON META.
Religion
Among the most conspicuous of the bully changes were the introduction as well as expansion of Christianity as well as Islam. Christian missions especially of the CMS, Roman Catholic, Baptist, African Church as well as Methodist, later on the Cherubum as well as Seraphim as well as Apostolic Church took root as well as expanded during the 20th century. Each of these Christian communities established numerous churches such that yesteryear 1970, the CMS (Anglican) as well as the Roman Catholic had grown so fast that they had acquire dioceses with their headquarters as well as seats of bishops inwards Ado-Ekiti. The 2 missions had 3 grammer schools, the number increased to 5 inwards 1990. The growth of Christian communities was really rapid betwixt 1970 as well as 2000; novel missions as well as denominations Pentecostal, Charismatic, Evangelical as well as Episcopal arose, swelling upward existing communions. Altogether over i hundred churches were recorded inwards the metropolis inwards the yr 2000.
The Muslim community did non lag behind, the faith spread. The fundamental mosque was built nearly 1930 as well as thereafter, a number of mosques were built inwards Idemo, Umayo, Isato (Irona), Ogbonado, Okesa, Oke-Ila etc. The Ansar-Ud-Deen emerged inwards the early on 1940s. As a affair of fact, the number of mosques as well as the number of Muslims who have got performed the Hajj tin readily come upward to paw every bit indices of expansion. The number of mosques increased substantially with the growing number of well-to-do Muslim who build mosques every bit annexes to their individual homes; yesteryear the yr 2000, to a greater extent than than 40 mosques could live counted inwards the city. By 1960, only Alhaji Akorede had performed the Hajj but the number of Alhajs increased inwards the 1970s as well as steadily increased inwards the 1980s as well as 1990s.
Education
In contemporary times, western educational activity had been the trend throughout Ekiti. Ado-Ekiti took the Pb with the number of educational institutions.
In March 1896, Old Emmanuel School was established at Odo Aremu. In 1917, the Roman Catholic Mission established St. Patrick's Primary School. By the 1950s, the number of primary as well as secondary modern schools had increased really substantially. By 1974, the CMS lone had 104 primary schools, 8 secondary schools, as well as a teachers' college.
In the early on 1930s, the Venerable Archdeacon Henry. Dallimore superintendent of the CMS mission established Christ's School inwards 1933. It was raised yesteryear the priest to a Middle School as well as finally towards the halt of the 1940s it became a full-fledged Grammar School. He was succeeded every bit Principal as well as High Master yesteryear Canon LD Mason from 1948-1966. Chief RA Ogunlade was Principal from 1966 to 1972. Christs School, Ado-Ekiti has contributed greatly to the educational as well as scientific advancement of Nigeria inwards full general as well as Ondo-province inwards particular. Within a brusque bridge of fourth dimension Christs schoolhouse had produced i of the highest numbers of Professors inwards virtually all fields of learning as well as especially the professions inwards Nigeria. Christ school, was indeed, i of the footing of the epithet that Ekiti is the "fountain of knowledge". Another possible explanation for the "fountain of knowledge" sobriquet for Ekiti inwards general, is the historical fact that Agboniregun the progenitor of Ifa corpus of knowledge inwards Yoruba cosmology, also had Ekiti roots. Christs schoolhouse Alumni are found inwards academia as well as professions some the globe today. In the early on 1950s, the Ekiti Progressive Union built a instant grammer schoolhouse at Ido-Ekiti the Ekiti Parapo College, inwards celebration of the overthrow of the Ibadan overlordship next the Kiriji or Ekiti Parapo war. Soon after the CMS agreed to separate Christ's School into 2 (boys' subdivision as well as Girls' Section)-as a resultant of the major road(Iworoko Road) which naturally divided the 2 sections into two) viz: Christ's School,Ado Ekiti as well as Christ's Girls' School,Ado Ekiti.
Thence forth, communities took it inwards their strides to lift funds as well as constitute a number of community grammer schools. Ado-Ekiti established its ain inwards 1960 as well as some other i towards the halt of the 1970s. The number of Grammar Schools kept increasing as well as yesteryear the yr 2000, at that spot were twelve student grammer schools, individual grammer schools numbered six, a total of eighteen. The Federal Government established its polytechnic at Ikewo, Ado-Ekiti, the defunct Ondo State University established its University at Ilewu, Ado-Ekiti.
Within a flow of 50 years, much evolution inwards western educational activity had taken spot inwards Ekiti inwards full general as well as Ado-Ekiti inwards particular. Chief E. A. Babalola, a native of Oye-Ekiti was initiatory off University graduate inwards Ekiti. Chief Alex olu Ajayi was the initiatory off graduate from Ado-Ekiti graduating BA (HONS) from Fourah Bay College, inwards 1953, followed yesteryear a postgraduate diploma inwards Education from the University of London inwards 1954. Thereafter, Ado Ekiti has produced many illustrious sons as well as daughters from globe cast universities, many of whom are professors inwards many scientific, medical, social sciences, Engineering as well as humanities disciplines within barely one-half a century. . Chief E Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Babalola from Oye-Ekiti was a high schoolhouse master copy inwards 1947 as well as he took over the direction of Christ's High School, Ado-Ekiti when Archdeacon Dallimore retired as well as left for Britain. Today, the Ekitis are found inwards large numbers inwards every academic as well as professional person positions, Ado-Ekiti has a disproportionate impact inwards the academic globe both inwards Nigeria as well as globally.
Economy
Tremendous evolution took spot inwards the tillage of economical crops, tillage as well as collection of woods products such every bit kolanut (cola acuminata, Obi abata as well as cola nitida, gbanja) as well as crude oil palm produce, commerce as well as trade. Much of the impetus of all these came initially from Mr. Isaac Ifamuboni (later Babamuboni) as well as a number of early on Christians from Lagos, Abeokuta as well as Ibadan. These men introduced the tillage of cocoa, maize, dark-brown cocoyam etc. to Ekiti. Wage earning labourers from parts of Ekiti who went to piece of work inwards Ondo, Ijebu as well as Ife boosted the tillage of these economical trees.
Ewi Aladesanmi II encouraged the tillage of cash crops as well as establishment of trading as well as commercial enterprises amongst Ado citizenry. The Urhobo came into Ado communities inwards the early on 1940s with their ain mode of palm crude oil extraction. The Ebira came inwards large numbers inwards the 1940s as well as 1950s introducing the tillage of their ain specie of yams, cassava as well as beans. In the early on 1950s, Igbemo, as well as Ado community started the tillage of rice, the trend spread to Iworoko inwards the 1960s as well as shortly inwards the 1970s to other Ekiti communities such every bit Erio etc. These nutrient crops boosted nutrient production as well as contributed to the sustenance of the growing population of Ado communities, especially Ado-Ekiti, as well as yesteryear extension, other Ekiti as well as non-Ekiti communities.
The progress made inwards Western education, tillage of nutrient crop as well as of economical trees, every bit good every bit the establishment of commercial ventures brought bully turn a profit to Ado-Ekiti. In the early on 1940s large fourth dimension commercial firms (companies) such every bit U.A.C as well as inwards later on years John Holt, U.T.C, C.F.A.O, established factories inwards the city. The Post as well as Telegraph at nowadays (NIPOST) established a station inwards this metropolis inwards 1947/48 causing posting as well as collection of mails at the District Officer's business office at Ayoba to cease. In 1958, pipe-borne H2O facility was provided making Ado-Ekiti the initiatory off town inwards nowadays Ondo as well as Ekiti States to relish the facility. Two years later, ECN (now NEPA) extended electricity to the city. These facilities enhanced/increased commercial activities as well as brought immense socio-economic do goodness as well as improved touchstone of life to the people. From the 1950s, commercial banks, at initiatory off the National Bank, the Union Bank, as well as inwards the 1960s as well as 1970s Co-operative Bank as well as United Bank for West Africa, opened their branch offices inwards Ado-Ekiti.
In the early on 1970s, Brigadier RA Adebayo, the instant military machine Governor of Western Region partnered with Mr Soliman Nagarty to extablish a Textile factory at Ado-Ekiti ( Western Nigeria Textile Industry Corporation) or WESTEXINCO)
Sport
Ado Ekiti has a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 as well as a tertiary sectionalization professional person football game league team.
Oye-Ekiti
Oye is i of the 16th kingdoms of Ekiti land. Oye-Ekiti people are a grouping of the south-western
Yoruba, inhabiting the administrative headquarters’ of the nowadays Oye Local Government surface area of Ekiti State. The Old Oye kingdom comprises of 5 villages namely Oye, Ire, Egosi, Eshetta, (Egosi as well as Eshetta have got come upward together every bit Ilupeju) as well as Arigidi Ekiti (now Ayegbaju) as well as covers an surface area of nearly 64 foursquare miles (NationalArchive, Ibadan). The population of Oye-Ekiti according to the 1952 national census was 13,696, (National Archive, Ibadan), 57,196 inwards 1963 as well as inwards 2006 the population was 168,251(National Population Commission 2006).
Oye-Ekiti is located at a full general height some 1500 feet with hills as well as granite outcrops rising to nearly 200 feet. It is covered yesteryear thick woods with really little patches of high woods as well as is surrounded yesteryear hills which render her protection inwards times of war. In fact, the hills were a approving to the people especially during the Republic of Benin invasion inwards the 19th century (Akintoye 1921).
The source of Oye Ekiti which is also known every bit Obalatanland is associated with the founder
of the town, Oloyemoyin who was born inwards Imore district of Ile Ife (Owoyomi 1995). Thus, the
call Oye was coined from his call ‘Oloyemoyin’, a call supposedly lay together because of the circumstances surrounding the nascence of the founder of Oye who was said to have got been born during a terrible as well as ‘hostile’ harmattam which unremarkably blows from the Sahara desert over as well as across due north Africa countries as well as to all parts of Nigeria. And to save his life, he was kept inwards a dark room with woman somebody deity called ‘Obalatan’ for an unspecified flow of time.
Thus, he was observed every bit a wonderful prince whose nascence had been accompanied yesteryear a horrible
harmattan, while, traditional lamps were lit as well as arranged inwards the room both hateful solar daytime as well as dark to hold the room warm, coupled with the harmattan was the attendant dryness of his mother’s pectus so much that she could non pectus feed him as well as rather he was fed with honey inwards spot of pectus milk. This is why he was named Oloyemoyin, pregnant a harbinger of harmattan who fed on honey as well as this is limited inwards the cognomen to the kid as well as yesteryear extension all autochthons of Oye as; Omo Oloye, Omo ora ufe ketaana Osan gangan, pregnant that Oloye is an aboriginal boy of Ile-Ife who ever lay on lite during the hateful solar daytime (Oye Progressive Union 1994).
According to available oral evidence, the prince left Ile-Ife inwards society of his blood brother Ogunlire, the acclaimed founder of Ire-Ekiti, with a remarkable entourage, equipped with large armies, unsmooth weaponry, commanders, seers, oracles, priests as well as subtle counselors. The entourage on their way from Ile-Ife initiatory off settled at Ule Oye Ora (National Archive Ibadan). At Oye Odo Ora, the aborigines were non happy with such intrusion as well as every bit a resultant fought as well as scattered them. They, therefore, moved to a novel settlement as well as called it Oye Ekiti, spell Ogunlire migrated as well as settled inwards Ire-Ekiti. Some settled inwards Egosi, as well as others conquered Eshetta as well as Arigidi while, Oye-Ekiti became the caput of these towns as well as Oloye was recognized yesteryear them every bit their leader beingness the eldest boy of theirmother, Yeye Aiye (National Achive, District Officer Diary Ibadan). (click here: http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T%20&%20T/T%20&%20T-09-0-000-11-Web/T%20&%20T-09-2-000-11-Abst-PDF/S-T&T-09-2-123-11-221-Onipede-K-J/S-T&T-09-2-123-11-221-Onipede-K-J-Tt.pdf)
Ikere-Ekiti
“The initiatory off Olukere came from Ile-Ife as well as founded Ikere, much later, the initiatory off Ogoga, a hunter, left his base of operations inwards Republic of Benin as well as came to Ikere on a hunting spree. Reaching Ikere, he went as well as stayed with the Olukere at his palace. As fourth dimension passed by, the number of people bringing cases to the Olukere for settlement started increasing yesteryear the hateful solar daytime until it reached a dot when he could non do everything alone. He as well as then asked Ogoga to go as well as remain at Iro to attend to the people on his behalf spell he, the Olukere would go on with other traditional assignments. The Ogoga started carrying out the project assigned to him until he eventually attained the spot of authority.”
As ordained yesteryear tradition, Ogoga as well as Olukere usually run across i time a yr during the Olosunta festival. That day, Olukere wears his crown spell the Ogoga exactly wears a cap. Today, both Ogoga as well as Olukere are, inwards the best involvement of the people, mostly seen every bit the head. And both are on the authorities payroll.
Ogoga as well as Olukere alive inwards 2 dissimilar worlds. The attainment of University Degree lay Ogoga at the forefront spell Olukere a really intelligent as well as i who fully understands the scientific discipline of powerfulness sharing continues every bit the traditional head. However, i thing they both have got inwards mutual is the science to empathise the want of their subjects as well as of winning their confidence. If anything, they assay non to subscribe to the thought of absolute monarch.
Ikere, inwards its uniqueness, remains a complex society, a piffling conglomerate inwards its ain right. History reveals that the resident of Ikere had their source from dissimilar towns as well as cities inwards Yoruba land.
They are people whose existence defines unity as well as their nickname, “Ekiti Parapo,” echoes it proudly. Welcome to the only metropolis ruled yesteryear 2 Kings. Ikere-Ekiti, “a wonderland wallowing inwards an admixture of profound civilization as well as tenacious cultural learning “. Headline, a reputable Nigerian Newspaper which initiatory off ran this story described it every bit “an expansive metropolis lucky plenty to escape beingness choked yesteryear the mighty rocks that dots its western part”. Ladies as well as gentlemen, this is the story of Ikere – a bully metropolis located on the southern portion of Ekiti State inwards Nigeria.
Royalty is a rich literary as well as artistic tradition, which has influenced the evolution of cultures some the world. This is maybe i of the reasons people have got such a high regard for the establishment of royalty. Royalty, with its rich history is i within a geographical location such every bit a city, or a nation. One King as well as i Queen inwards England, i King inwards Morocco, i inwards Norway, Argentina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as so on. But 2 Kings, otherwise known every bit “Obas” inwards Ikere-Ekiti! Oduduwa, the founding begetter of the Yoruba dry ground established Ile-Ife, the traditional headquarters of the Yorubas. He never had a instant or complementary King or Oba. There has never been 2 Oonis reigning simultaneously inwards Ile-Ife.
Battle-loving Aare Onakakanfo wielded tremendous influence inwards the old Oyo Empire, yet Oyo maintains i Alafin. Ibadan, the largest metropolis inwards West Africa had ever had powerful personalities. Among those inwards the outset was Efunsetan Aniwura. Yet, Ibadan had never introduced 2 Olubadan.
Ogedengbe, the intractable warrior inwards Ijesa land, was a personality to behold. Ilesa never introduced 2 Agunlejikas because of him. Osogbo as well as Osun are almost synonymous. Ataoja, nontheless, is the only recognized Oba inwards Osogbo. There has ever been i Oba (each metropolis inwards Yoruba land), i Emir (Hausa land), as well as i Obi (Ibo land).
Itapa
Itapa is i of the towns inwards Ekiti dry ground which sprang from odufuwa of life as well as Owatapa is the head. Itapa is i of the goddess beingness worshipped at Ile-ife. Its festival is held for a flow of 30 days as well as worshipped yesteryear Ooni as well as his people till today. It is worshipped till today. The festival is called Utaale at Itapa.
Ifa devotees of Itapa
Amowa as well as Elepe, sons of Oduduwa left Ile-ife with their mother, they also came with 2 friends known every bit Elemo as well as Baaro. These people were hunters. At a phase Elepe took his exit as well as settled at i of Itapa's farms called Osin, Another blood brother of Amowa settled inwards Itapa farm called Ijelu as well as he later on became Elejelu. Amowa was the initiatory off OLOSIN of Osin. There are other goods called Elutapa as well as Orisa Itapa which are worshiped yesteryear Ooni till today.
His Royal Majesty, Oba David Makanjuola Ajaja of Itapa kingdom
Owa attends these gods through his elected priests called Ayaya every bit the priest of Elutapa as well as Aworo Orisa Ilawe every bit the priest of Orisa Itapa or Ilawe. Elemo took his quarter as well as acquire the caput of Remo spell Baaro became caput of Egetun. All of them were bully hunters.
Many people came to settle with them as well as they became prosperous. These heads of quarters regarded Owatapa every bit their caput as well as the people approached Owatapa through their heads, as well as Owatapa has the terminal say over all matters brought earlier him.
Here are the names of the Owatapa inwards monastic tell of Precedent.
The initiatory off Owatapa was Amowa;
The 2nd Owatapa was Muaro, Amowa's son;
The 3rd Owatapa was Jejeke;
The quaternary Owatapa was Ponrokun, he removed his palace from Iloro Remo to where it is today. Chief Oisemo was asked to take accuse of the palace.
The fifth Owatapa was Yioye;
The sixth Owatapa was Abaradudu;
The seventh Owatapa was Awadieruasola;
The eighth Owatapa was Arawamokunrin during the reign of this Owa, his town Itapa was overcrowded as well as many people went to settle at Egosi as well as at a spot called Ila.
The ninth Owatapa was Agiriyoyo;
The tenth Owatapa was Akitipa- Obibo;
The 11th Owatapa was Ijimgbere Oke;
The twelfth Owatapa was Owa Edun Alaye;
The 13th Owatapa was Iboun;
The 14th Owatapa was Ajakobijagba;
The 15th Owatapa was Okekorokoro ni kin ma gun on;
The 16th Owatapa was Agodisoro;
The 17th Owatapa was Owa Okogirigiri ni ki nwon ma di on;
The 18th Owatapa was Owa Ogogu;
This Owa wanted to recall his people from Egosi but the people at Egosi at nowadays called Ilupeju refused to release them as well as this later on resulted into war. This state of war was called 'Ogun yinmomo' -i.e give me child. The people of Egosi were assisted yesteryear Ikole. When Itapas went to war, the Ikole came to Itapa as well as carried away their children as well as sold them. They were driven away.
During this war,another state of war from Ilorin led yesteryear Aliyu carried people from Itapa, Ikole as well as Egosi away. They captured Prince Arowogbadamu at the historic flow of 7 years as well as it was during this state of war that Owatapa thereby becoming the 19th Owatapa.
Owa Amerijoye made an alliance with Ata who also came from Iye inwards instance of whatever other assault or war. They both settled together at Aiyede. When Ibadan state of war broke out, Ata was captured as well as sojourned inwards Lagos from where he was brought to acquire the 20th Oba.
The 21st Owatapa was Owa Ola I;
The 22nd Owatapa was Owa Ademiloye;
The 23rd Owatapa was Ali Sanni - the boy of Arowogbadamu, who was installed Owa inwards 1929.
The 24th Owatapa was Owa Ojo (Ola II);
The 25th Owatapa was Owa Amuda Adeyeye Ali ( Atabatele II), he was installed on the 17th Apr 1987, as well as reigned for Twenty-Two (22) years to Dec 29, 2009.
The 26th Owatapa is HRM Oba (Dr) D. O Makanjoula Ajaja, who started his reign of transformation as well as restoration on the 25th hateful solar daytime of November, 2011 as well as had his Official Coronation every bit the OWATAPA of ITAPA EKITI on the 31st hateful solar daytime of March, 2012.
Ade a pe lori o. Kabiyesi... Ire o!!!
Igede-Ekiti
Like a typical Yoruba town, a lot of stories, legends, myths as well as oral tales abound with observe to the source as well as tradition of Igede-Ekiti.
Ake, a hunter as well as herbalist founded Igede. Erindo, his married adult woman as well as Awota, his retainer migrated from Ile-Ife. They settled at Okesu. Ake as well as his married adult woman were blessed with 16 (16) children, 8 (8) boys as well as 8 (8) girls. Among the children were Osun, Elemi, Orunro, Ogbese, Elerinmo as well as Okunsusi.
Immediately after the decease of Ake, at that spot was a struggle for leadership amongst the children. This led to a civil state of war where a high grade of metaphysical mightiness through the usage of incantations was displayed. Eventually, the most elderly ones destroyed themselves as well as thus, Okunusi, a younger but highly intelligent as well as courageous fellow member of the theater unit of measurement took over the curtain of leadership. He became the initiatory off virile somebody monarch of Igede at Okesu because his father, Ake was never appointed a king.
With increasing population, the number of settlers at Okesu outgrew the total dry ground infinite as well as hence the demand to movement to a to a greater extent than relatively patch surface area to settle at Odogede. This was the source of the maxim “Odo, Baba Igede”. Oba Obirimoko was the initiatory off Onigede to settle at Odogede. However, he lived a horrifying life as well as left a bad tape as well as hence, his reign was ruled out of monastic tell as well as never to live listed every bit an Oba of Igede-Ekiti.
The call IGEDE was a derivative of the term “OGEDE” pregnant incantations. This call was given to the settlement when the civil state of war was fought with a lot of incantations. Incantations were a powerful weapon of state of war inwards those days every bit a display of metaphysical knowledge.
The other story that the immature adult woman of Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti who married the boy of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti gave nascence to a babe called Ige on her way to Ado-Ekiti at Odegede was non authenticated every bit the footing for deriving the call of the town – Igede (Signifying that Ige has arrived).
Igede-Ekiti lies within latitudes seventy 391 as well as 7 0 411 North of the Equator as well as Longitudes 50 71 as well as 50 81 East of the Greenwish Meridian. It is the Headquarters of Irepodun / Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ondo State. It is bounded inwards the North yesteryear Awo-Ekiti, inwards the South yesteryear Ilawe-Ekiti, inwards the East yesteryear Iyin-Ekiti along Ado-Ekiti side, as well as inwards the West yesteryear Aramoko-Ekiti. It is at a distance of 64 kilometers from Akure, the working capital alphabetic character of Ondo State. It covered dry ground surface area of nearly 3.8 foursquare kilometres with a populatoin of 31,041 people (1966 census). Igede-Ekiti belongs to a grouping called ‘Ekiti’. The Ekitis settled inwards the Eastern portion of the old Western State of Nigeria at nowadays known every bit Oyo, Ogun as well as Ondo State.
The people speak Ekiti dialect which is oftentimes mixed with touchstone Yoruba language. The civilization of the people with observe to mode of dressing, eating habits, housing, marriage, burial as well as naming ceremonies follow the same pattern every bit practised inwards Yorubaland.
Igede is a nodal settlement. It is situated on a relatively high Earth with the highest dot at Esu hill, as well as an out-crop at Okeaga inwards Odogede quarter. This topography makes Igede a watershed region. River Osun, otherwise worshipped as well as adorned every bit “Osun Oshogbo” takes its source from Igede at a portion betwixt Igede as well as Awo-Ekiti. There are other rivers as well as streams such every bit Elemi, Ogbese, Inansi, Ogangan as well as Ogburuu. Gully erosion has adversely affected parts of the town at Irona, Odo-Uri as well as Ilamoye. Igede falls within the rainforest belt of southwestern Nigeria.Its vegetation is hence evergreen rainforest type. This type of vegetation favours agricultural practices. More than 90% of the inhabitants are farmers.
The farm products include cocoa, accounting for to a greater extent than than 80% of the income of the farming population, kolanut (both Acumulata as well as Nitida), crude oil palm, yam, cocoyam, maize cassava, vegetables as well as to some extent, rice, Palm vino is Igede’s all the yr cash earner as well as pop drinkable “OGORO IGEDE”. The location within the humid torrid zone makes the town as well as its environs relish tropical hot as well as moisture type of climate. There is a rainy flavour from Apr to Oct as well as a dry out flavour from Nov to March. The rainfall regime is of the monastic tell onset, advance as well as retreat. On the average, the rainfall is nearly 1,450mm/year. If non for recent weather condition changes, Igede enjoys a brusque spell of piffling rainfall inwards the calendar month of August (August Break) as well as harmattan inwards Dec to Jan months.
Awo-Ekiti
Awo-Ekiti is a little town inwards the newly created Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government surface area of Ondo State. Before the creation of the novel Local Government, the town was within the defunct Ekiti Central Local Government. It is nearly half-dozen kilometers from Igede-Ekiti, the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government headquarters, as well as nearly xx 2 kilometers from Ado-Ekiti through Igede/Iyin road. The town is situated within longitude 15½0E of the Greenwich as well as Latitude 6¾0 North of the Equator.
Awo-Ekiti is a centrally located town inwards Ekitiland. It is within the heartland of Ekitiland. The fundamental location of the town has non been appreciated simply because of the misfortunate roads which transcend through the town.Travellers prefer long but skillful roads to misfortunate but brusque roads. It is when the half-dozen roads that converge on the town are developed that the modality of the town within Ekitiland would come upward into focus. The fundamental location of the town makes it cast the shortest route to all corners as well as major towns inwards Ekitiland. For example, Ido-Ekiti via Osi through Awo/Igede-Ilawe to Igbara Odo is only 40 kilometers. Ado-Ekiti via old Iyin settlement through Awo/Ara to Ijero Ekiti is exactly 22km. Ifaki via Esure/Eyio through Awo to Aramoko inwards Ekiti West is only 28km. The major towns at the periphery of Ekitiland such every bit Otun, Efon Alaye, Ikere, Ikole are nearly equidistant to Awo Ekiti. With the evolution of the roads, the strategic location of the town would live a stiff factor inwards its growth as well as development.
The town is situated on a high elevation of nearly 1,800 inwards higher upward the sea level. It is on i of the high plains of Western Nigeria. The height gives the town some unique weather condition conditions. Throughout the year, the weather condition is moderately cool as well as its H2O are usually mutual depression temperature most especially during the dry out season. When a lot of people inwards the town prefer the naturally mutual depression temperature H2O to fridged water. The dry ground also is good drained no H2O lodging as well as flooding.
The Plateau on which the town situates forms a watershed for tributaries which flow into River Ogbese inwards the South as well as River Osun inwards West. It is interesting to banknote that these 2 of import rivers inwards Western Nigeria takes their sourcs exactly a few kilometers apart at the outskirt of the town. The 2 rivers are of import every bit they are beingness worshipped yesteryear a large community of people inwards Western Nigeria.
Very spectacular inwards the topography of the town inwards the Igori Rock which is exactly only i as well as a one-half kilometres eastward of the town. This colina an outcrop of granite, is reminisent of the beautiful rocky landscape of Idanre. This massive, stone but smoothen characteristic presents a fascinating tourist attraction which ought to live developed yesteryear the province government. The top of the colina is an ideal spot to build challets to boost the tourist manufacture inwards the state. Standing on this colina i has a panoramic stance of a rolling countryside whose distant hills as well as horizon merge with the bluish sky.
History
The original inhabitants of Awo were believed to have got come upward from Ifè Oòdáyé. They were portion of the waves of Yorùbá who migrated from Ile-Ife to found settlements inwards the nowadays South-Western Nigeria. The foundation of Awo inwards its nowadays site was every bit a resultant of amalgamation of some villages which agreed to cooperate for defensive reasons, every bit a resultant of mutual threats from stronger – chiefdoms. This was nearly 1350 A.D.
The community which later on became Awo had its nucleus inwards a little settlement at Ijoru. The little settlement inwards later on fourth dimension became portion of Oke-Uba Quarter nether Osukoti of Awo Ekiti. At Ijoru was a marketplace called Olujoda which was held every nine other days yesteryear such nearby settlements at Uju as well as Ile-Ona. The bully importance of the marketplace of Odo settlement who engaged Ijoru, Uju, Ile-Ona as well as other surrounding hamlets inwards warfare. The incessant attacks from Odo people forced the settlements to movement close. Their united efforts helped them to lay a permanent halt to Odo attacks. This early on was referred to every bit Ogun Owuro.
Some years after the amalgation of the settlements that jointly fought Odo war, Olujoda marketplace was abandoned as well as a to a greater extent than fundamental marketplace called ‘ATOWOSE’ was created. The bully strength of the novel settlement every bit good every bit its flourishing merchandise inwards kolanuts attracted the fancy of Odo people. The negotiated peace with the people of the novel settlement as well as and then many of the people from Odo moved inwards to settle with them. It was at this fourth dimension an Ife Prince arrived at the settlement. The Ifew Prince was Akinadesanmi (but simply called Akinsanmi). He later on became the initiatory off paramount ruler of the settlement with the championship – Alawo of Awo.
Akinsanmi was i of the grand princes of Ile-Ife who with their followers left Ile-Ife some hundreds of years earlier the Yoruba inter-tribal wars. The grouping was led yesteryear a senior blood brother of Akinsanmi yesteryear call Okiribiti nicknamed Obadudu. He was fearless as well as popular. He later on founded the settlement at nowadays called Emure Ijaloke as well as thus became the initiatory off Elemure of Emure Ijaloke. Olosi who later on founded Osi-Ekiti (in Ido/Osi Local Government) also a blood brother to Akinsanmi was inwards the group. They left Ife with many beaded crowns as well as beads. The grouping arrived at Igbo Owa close River Ose where a powerful kingdom was established. Rivalry amongst Akinsanmi as well as his blood brother princes every bit good every bit attacks from Oba of Ado Ibini led to the autumn of Igbo Owa Kingdom. The grouping as well as then split as well as migrated inwards smaller groups settling inwards places i after the other.
Akinsanmi led a grouping which settled at Oba-Ile close Akure as well as later on at Ise earlier he arrived to settle finally at the settlement within Atowose marketplace surround which later on became known known every bit Awo. On his way from Ise he fed mainly on baobab tree fruit. Ejisun, Erinwa, Edemo, Oluaro Aroro as well as Edemorun accompanied him every bit his followers on arrival.
Akinsanmi was a bully hunter as well as a powerful medicine man. He was also really handsome as well as could alter his trunk peel into dissimilar colours similar a chameleon. He killed many animals as well as hence dresed inwards dissimilar animals skins which were varied inwards colour. The oftentimes changing trunk peel as well as his garments of varied beast skins made people to popularly refer to him every bit ‘Alawo ewu arabara’. From this, the call Alawo is coined as well as the settlement became known every bit ‘Ilu Awo’. He oftentimes displayed his medicine charms hung on ‘Igba – (the type of coined ropes used for climbing palm tree). He used it every bit a necklace (Igbajo) inwards add-on to beaded necklace. This, he believed gave him magical powerfulness against his enemies, as well as made his medicine handy for usage during whatever emergency. So, for magical powerfulness against enemies ‘Igbajo’ was traditionally given to every newly installed Alawo every bit portion of his regalia. It was nevertheless used in conclusion at the installation of Oba Filani Adesiyan inwards 1930.
People feared Akinsanmi (Alias Alawo ewu arabara) as well as was highly respected. With fourth dimension he became recognised every bit the leader as well as paramount primary of the settlement (Awo). His fame extended to some far places as well as some people left their villages to settle at Awo. People from Ikole. Oba-Ile amongst others came to settle. Among such people were Elesi as well as Elese from the royal lineage of Osi-Ikole as well as Ilese respectively. The 2 men left their villages when they were non made paramount chiefs there. Both of them knew the traditional coronation rites every bit practised inwards their villages. They were as well as then given the honour to perform the installation of Akinsanmi every bit the initiatory off Alawo of Awo. The 2 became recognised chiefs every bit Elesi as well as Elese. The official traditional duties of the Elesi as well as Elese upward till this hateful solar daytime is to install novel Alawo.
Awo people have got no mutual oriki similar some other towns. For example: Osi-Ekiti has ‘Asise’ every bit its oriki, Ifaki every bit Orinkinran, Iyin is Egirioke as well as Akure is Oyemekun. The argue for this is simply that the original inhabitants of Awo came from dissimilar angle. Its royal theater unit of measurement has its oriki which originated inwards the somebody of Oba Akinsanmi the initiatory off Alawo. Because of his boldness, his garments of varied colours, his feeding on baobab tree fruits as well as his arrival at Awo after his brief remain at Ise, members of the royal theater unit of measurement at Awo have got their oriki thus: Omo Akin, Omo Aláwò èwù àràbarà, Omo olòsè (baobab) Omo irà lílá ònà Ìsè e.t.c.
When Alawo arrived at Awo, the settlement of Eyinke was non far from Awo as well as a adult man called Ogbese was its paramount ruler. He was a hunter every bit good every bit bully warrior. He was also a powerful medicine man. As Alawo was inwards history but it was faced inwards its early on days with incessant harassments of invaders. For this argue the Alawo palace was removed from its original site at Oke -Uba which was really prone to assault to Erewa which appeared a to a greater extent than secured place. The construction of the initiatory off palace at Erewa had non been completed when the incoming Alawo left the palace at Oke-Uba. He had to remain for 3 months inwards a chemical compound unopen to the novel palace site at Erewa earlier he moved inwards after the completion. He gave the call Ile Aro to the chemical compound where he stayed as well as the caput of the chemical compound was given the championship ‘Aro’. For years it was customary for newly installed Alawo to remain inwards primary Aro’s theater for 3 months earlier moving to the palace. The flow was used to brand necessary repairs to the grass thatched roof of the palace. Now that the palace is roofed with corrugated Fe sheets at that spot is no demand for whatever novel Alawo to remain for 3 months. From the fourth dimension of Oba J. D. Aladejuyigbe III inwards 1968 the remain has been for 3 days only.
Early inwards its history, Awo evolved a stable political system. Alawo was as well as soundless the paramount ruler as well as he ruled with the assistance of his chiefs. There was the traditional council of state. It was made upward of:
numo Chiefs consisting of 3 Iare, 3 Iro as well as 3 Emo.
Elegbe consisting of 3 Agba Elegbe, 3 Agba Akin as well as 3 Oisa Ijokun from each of the 3 wards or quarters.
Egiri consisting of 3 Olorigbo, 3 Elegiri as well as 3 Elerukuku.
Women Chiefs consisting of Eyedofin, Eyegun as well as Eyesemore.
There was also the Ward Council which was made upward of precinct Chiefs (Olori Ebi).
The establishment of age-grade scheme was an of import aspect of the political organisation.The lowest grade was Otun Erukuku, followed yesteryear Agba Erukuku. These 2 age-grades took accuse of world works similar road, marketplace as well as palace repairs as well as construction. After 7 years, Otun Erukuku moved to Agba Erukuku. From hither they moved to Origbo. The Orighos moved to Egiri as well as Erigi moved to Oye Elegbe as well as Agba Elegbe. The Elegbes were responsible for the maintenance of peace, they caught as well as punished criminals similar witches, as well as they made sacrifices to appease the gods of the town. They were also the warriors. The ablest fellow member was made the leader with the piffling Sajowa.
Among the early on traditional festivals was the Oodun or Oro Olofin festival. This was as well as soundless is a traditional festival that is performed or celebrated yesteryear whatever directly Ife prince ruling a community. The traditional beaded crown is worn during the festival others were Ogun festival, Egungun festival as well as the worshipping of Orisa Oja, Orisa Iko otherwise called Orisa Ojuna (god of fire) bought yesteryear the theater unit of measurement that came from Ikole, Orisa Odo brought yesteryear Odo people as well as Oyi the pop god of Oke-Uba ward.
Many Alawos has reigned since the demise of Akinsanmi. They included the following. (Their names are non all listed inwards chronological order) Oba Agodogbo bi ila a fi nsuru, Oba Aropupayoko, Oba Orun ku bi ojo, Oba Amolese, Oba Osodogbadamu, Oba Asowinon who broke the traditional law as well as was waylaid yesteryear the Elegbe as well as killed with their metallic rod i.e. Ogbo Elegbe, Oba Ona Owuro who later on abdicated his throne as well as left for Era where he became Elera of Era (now Araromi Ijero) Oba Adubienimu, who reigned at nearly 1650, Oba Ifamosaya 1860 – 1875, Oba Oyiyo Okeruku 1876, Oba Adesiyan I 1880 – 1900, Oba Aladejuyigbe I 1910 – 1925, Oba S. O. Aladejuyigbe II 1927 – 1930 who was the initiatory off enlightened Oba. The people found his reign also tyrannical as well as he was dethroned on 27th of March 1930. He left Awo for Igede. He was allowed to come upward dorsum inwards 1941 but non every bit a king. People inwards later on years judged him a skillful virile somebody monarch but were also fast for his people. He lived inwards Awo till 1972 when he died, Oba Filani Adesiyan II 1930 – 1962 as well as Oba J. D. Alade 1966 – 1977 who was the in conclusion of the yesteryear Alawos.
River Ogbese every bit a Powerful Deity inwards Awo-Ekiti
Ogbese was a pop adult man inwards the olden days. He was a bully warriors, a hunter as well as a powerful medicine man. People used to sing praise of him inwards these words “E e sode (he was a hunter), e e sawo (he was a medicine adult man or an herbalist), omo amurugbon wole peran (he could kill animals inwards a prostrating spot with his beard brushing the ground) Apamudanule (he killed his enemies during wars inwards hundreds so much that his blood drenched sword was used to live cleaned on the ground).
Ogbese was a prince of Ado. When his begetter died, at that spot was a tussle betwixt him as well as his junior brothers over who would dominion Ado after their father. The 2 brothers set for Ado-Ibini to acquire the staff of business office to rule, from the Oba of Ado-Ibini who was i of the 7 sons of Okanbi. Before Ogbese got to Ado-Ibini, his junior blood brother had received the staff of office, a crown as well as some beads. This province of affairs made Ogbese to grow annoyed as well as to loathe his brother. To avoid serious clash betwixt Ogbese as well as his brother, the Oba of Ado-Ibini gave Ogbese some other crown as well as some beads. He advised him to go as well as found a novel spot of settlement. The hatred betwixt the 2 made them decided non to see each other whatever to a greater extent than as well as Ogbese ordered his children never to prostrate or kneel downward earlier whatever somebody from his brother’s family.
Ogbese went northwestward as well as founded a novel town called Eyinke. He was followed yesteryear members of his theater unit of measurement as well as the few people who were loyal to him.
Some years after he founded Eyinke, a state of war broke out betwixt Ado (where his blood brother was the paramount ruler) as well as an enemy grouping from somewhere. The fighting was also much for Ado people that they sought the aid of Ogbese to assist them inwards the battle. Not minding the quarrel he had with his brother, he went as well as fought as well as won the battle for Ado.
This incident reveals the historical significance of the vocal “Ogbugbulomi, a moment ya ‘Gbese la o, Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pamudanule oju re laa me io”. In touchstone yoruba it reads thus “Ogbugbulomi awa sadi Ogbese ni ilu Awo. Apamudanule Oju re la nwo”. This was vocal years later on yesteryear Ado people inwards rememberance of the state of war fought for them yesteryear Ogbese.
To demo their gratitudes to Ogbese the ruler of Ado sent a slave annually to Ogbese. It was the coming of the European to Nigeria that lay a halt to this.
When Ogbese was nearly to die, he called his boy Oloja as well as told him that he would pop off on unusual as well as miraculous death, which would brand him a diety that they would go on to worship. He took a little pot with him as well as went to a nearby Iroko tree. He sat at the human foot of the tree all of a precipitous he disappeared into the ground. Just immediately, H2O started to fountain out from the little pot he left lying unopen to the root of the Iroko tree. This became a source of River Ogbese every bit it is known today. The proof is hither till today.
After Ogbese’s disappearance, his boy Oloja became the paramount ruler of Eyinke as well as the call ‘Oloja’ consequently became the championship of the paramount ruler of Eyinke. Oloja led his people to worship River Ogbese annally.
Eyinke nether Oloja was engaged inwards a state of war with a grouping of people. Oloja as well as his people had to flee as well as settle inwards a nearby town later on called Awo.
When Alawo arrived as well as united the various groups he met nether his sovereignty, Oloja became a traditional chemical compound caput nether Alawo.
Eyinke, the old settlement of Oloja became the farm dry ground of Oloja as well as his people. The people continued to farm the dry ground till today. As a grade of observe to Oloja, Ejisun the caput primary of the quarter/ward to which Oloja chemical compound belongs is installed till today inwards Oloja’s house.
Annually the people continued to worship the god of River Ogbese as well as Oloja established a priesthood of 7 members. (Iworo meje) for the worship. He every bit Oloja headed the priesthood. Others were Oisa, Elero, Oisape, Osotun, Elesa as well as Odofin ere who was the primary errand adult man for the Oloja.
The annual festival for the worship of the god of Ogbese (until recent times) started with the wives as well as children of Oloja as well as some other priests going to the farm to convey novel yams. On their arrival from the farm, they would trip the lite fantastic circular Ogbese as well as Atiba shrines 7 times respectively. Early inwards the morn on the hateful solar daytime of the festival, the youngest wives of Oloja would pound the yams nakedly nether closed doors, with the senior wives guarding the chemical compound gate to forestall people from entering. After the traditional eating of the pounded yam, the gate would live opened to visitors who came for the feast of the festival.
The traditional offering of sacrifice to the god yesteryear Oloja would follow the early on morn feast. Up till the halt of the in conclusion century, the sacrifice included ritual killing of a slave referred to every bit Oluo. The killing was ever effected yesteryear the Oisa. The slave annually sent to Ogbese as well as his predecessors yesteryear the traditional caput of Ado every bit a gift inwards appreciation of the state of war which Ogbese won for Ado people was after the decease of Ogbese annually sacrificed every bit Oluwo to the god of Ogbese.
The in conclusion vocal sung yesteryear the in conclusion Oluwo was “eereunfeeo eereunfee oun moment wo ohun moment mu somo lale ke inreunfee.
In add-on annually the traditional caput of Ado used to convey kolanuts rapped with a foliage called “Omu” ferns to Oloja.
There is upward till today a womanpriest Eyelogbese who plays prominent roles during the flow the annual festival lasts. Every year, people with i job or the other similar those with no children come upward to her to live blessed as well as those people brand pledges. The worshippers believes that with the annual prayers made yesteryear the priestess, the god ever protect his people from sickness as well as troubles of state of war as well as also allows them to multiply till today anybody suffering from Republic of Guinea worm would live treated with the H2O from Ogbese river. Up till nearly 1958, anybody infected yesteryear little pod was admitted yesteryear Eyelogbese (Ogbese priest) as well as cured. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of miracles were performed during the yearly celebrations during various acrobatic displays which include dancing as well as rolling on the Earth with little pox (Oru) dressed as well as with life fern leaves stalked inwards the pot without falling off. We were robbed of this fanciful as well as attractive civilization yesteryear adven of Western civilisation.
Erinmope-Ekiti
Erinmope-Ekiti falls within the derived savannah belt as well as has nearly half-dozen months of effective rainfall from mid-April to mid-October. The mutual crops grown are arable crops such every bit Yam, Cassava, Maize, Beans as well as Republic of Guinea Corn. Few cash crops such every bit Cocoa, Kolanut as well as Cashew are also grown inwards isolated areas.
The Indigenes are really dynamic, industrious as well as enterprising. However because of dry ground limitations as well as limited opportunities, many of the people settled exterior the town as well as tin live found inwards virtually all parts of Nigeria where they are engaged inwards commercial as well as industrial activities as well as inwards particular the establishment of plantation inwards agricultural products such every bit Cocoa, Kolanut as well as Oil palm.
Record has it that Erinmope-Ekiti had its genealogical history traced to Oraufe dynasty inwards Ile-Ife earlier they migrated therefrom. Oraufe begat Ayetise as well as Ayetise begat Lajamisan. Obaleo belonged to the Lajamisan dynasty of the lijo surface area inwards the chemical compound of Chief Obajio, the traditional Lord Exchequer. The initiatory off Obaleo Elejio (a.k.a) Ajigbeji (a prince, a warrior, a hunter as well as a herbalist) with Oore Abajadiewon also a prince left Ile-Ife at the same fourth dimension as well as went together to all places until they both settled at a spot called Ipole. When Obaleo Elejio was leaving Ile-Ife with his people he took along his ain inheritance from his begetter which included Bearded Crown, Beads, White Horsetail etc.
Later the Obaleo left Oore behind inwards Ipole as well as settled initiatory off at Ekiti Epere close Ipole earlier moving to the nowadays hateful solar daytime location sometime inwards the 15th century, also Oore left Ipole as well as and then settled at the nowadays location - Otun. Since then, Obaleo has remained undisputed as well as unchallenged second-in-command to the Oore. The call Erinmope was derived from a caput count of those who left Ekite-Opere to the nowadays settlement. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 census was conducted as well as the Oba asked the people if all the people were present, thus “NJE ORI PE” as well as was answered “ORI MOPE O”. Thus, the settlement was referred to every bit “ORIMOPE”. In some other development, Obaleo Elejio having settled downward ordered his hunters to lookout adult man circular to reckon if at that spot were other settlers. One of the hunters who faced the surface area called Ibamogun saw a large stone afar off believing it to live an elephant aimed at it but moving closer discovered it was non an elephant but a large rock. On homecoming to others as well as the Oba he narrated his ordeal as well as ended it with the contention “ERIN NI MOPE” pregnant that I thought it was an elephant. So Obaleo Elejio decided to call the settlement ERINMOPE. Thus the names “ORINMOPE” as well as “ERINMOPE” were used interchangeably to spot the Town upward to the outset of the 19th century when only ERINMOPE was finally adopted.
For administrative convenience, Oore Abajadiewon divided Moba into 4 constituencies inwards 1579 every bit follows:
(i) Arin Moba (Central) Otun
(ii) Ona Moba (Front/Route) Erinmope, Aaye-Oja as well as Irare
(iii) Osi Moba (Left) Osun, Epe, Osan, Ira as well as Iro
(iv) Otun Moba (Right) Igogo, Ikun, Ikosu, as well as Isaoye
The 1579 resolution made nearly 433 years agone yesteryear the Oore recognised Obaleo every bit second-in-command to him the spot Obaleo soundless holds today.
There are 3 Ruling Houses inwards Erinmope Ekiti namely Iloye Ruling House, Iworo-Aro Ruling House as well as Ijewu Ruling House. The Ruling Houses are referred to every bit Royal Families or “OMO-OWAS”. The traditional Ruler - Obaleo of Erinmope - is rotated amongst the 3 Ruling Houses. The electrical current Obaleo of Erinmope - His Royal Majesty Oba J. O. Aina is from Iloye Ruling House. Oba J.O. Aina ascended the throne inwards 1975. He took over from Oba Atere Atoyosoye from Ijewu Ruling House.
In Erinmope-Ekiti, several Obaleos have got reigned every bit follows:
OBALEO ELEJIO a.k.a. Ajigbeji (Founder)
ALUSULOGBA
ABATI
EKIMODE
AROJO
AGBODOIYAWO
OPEKUNRIN
AJIDAUNATAYERO
ADUMORI
AKOROBOTO
AGBEDEGBEDE
OTUJABIOJO
ARILEKESOOGUN
OSIYABOKUNRINJA
AGBONSILEDOYE
ATEREATOYOSOYE
AINAAJEJIOYE (1975 till date)
In the same vein, the next Oores have got reigned inwards Otun Ekiti:
Oore Abajadiewon (Founder)
Adifagbade
Olasunkade
Okinbaloye
Adifala
Arisilejoye 1886
Ariyowaye 1914
Oyinloye 1929
Aroyinleke Adepoju 1967
Odundun Popoola 2002 till engagement (http://www.erinmope-ekiti.com/pdf_files/Erinmope%20at%20a%20glance.pdf)
The Oore of Mobaland, Oba (Dr.) James Adedapo Popoola JP, CON, Odundun I
L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Keynote Speaker as well as Minister of Finance, physician Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; CEO, Emzor Pharmaceutical, physician Stella Okoli; as well as Wife of Vice President, Hajia Amina Namadi
Fprmer Ekiti State Governor, physician Kayode Fayemi left presents staff of business office to Olupole of Ipole Iloro, Oba Babatola Oladele, with him is Olori Grace as well as Magaret Oladele
Olokun annual festival at Ayede, Ekiti State,Nigeria.
80th Birthday Celebration of Mama Adetutu Famuagun
Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Funso Amosun; Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titi Laoye Tomori, Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka at the birthday thanksgiving for Mama Adetutu Famuagun (Mrs Olayinka's mother) at the C.A.C Church Ado-Ekiti,
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