Information and translations of oyo empire in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Cultural heritage resources of the new oyo empire, southwestern. Ife was known as the base and foundation for the yoruba civilization, but soon, the oyo empire gained influence and surpassed the ileife base to become the new seat of yorubaland, up until the late 18th century. Please check the pictures to make sure that it matches the headset you have. Unlike other yoruba states, which were located in the forest area, oyo was situated in woodland savann. Iwereile was a former powerful war town in the old oyo empire, dreadful for many oyo indigenes, as well as the alaafin to attack. There are three earlier capitals near the niger river. The place of the family house in contemporary oyo town, nigeria. Many products that you buy can be obtained using instruction manuals. At the height of oyo s power in the 17th and 18th centuries, dahomey paid annual tribute to it, and yoruba influence probably extended as far as the ga of the gold coast now ghana as well. The history of nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers nigerians living in the area as early as 1100 bc. Oyo empire was established by yoruba people in the 15th century and was one of the largest empire in west african state. These pages include detailed descriptions of egungun dress and performance codes, analysis of egungun practice in the political and social history of the oyo empire, and several highquality color photos of egungun costume.
Oyo empire, yoruba state north of lagos, in presentday southwestern. Precolonial political administration in yoruba land oldnaija. The oyo empire engaged in regular warfare with the kingdom of dahomey and dahomey was a tributary to oyo from 1732 until 1823. The empire of which she ruled is located in what is modern day western and northcentral nigeria. Oyo empire was established by yoruba people in the 15 th century and was one of the largest empire in west african state. The oyo empire grew to become the largest yoruba state. The oyo empire 14001830s was a powerful yoruba polity in what is today southwestern nigeria. This kingdom was founded by the deities oduduwa and obatala, who are believed to have created the world oduduwa was the first divine king of the yoruba people, and obatala fashioned the first human beings out o. Two books have served to undeceive the english reader, the monumental work of finlay, published in 1856, and. The nearby benin kingdom was also an important kingdom. The oyo misi was headed by the bashorun, which was an administrative and spiritual designation. Ife continues to be seen as the spiritual homeland of the yoruba. The oyo empire was the largest and the most powerful of the forest states of west africa.
From all these sources, scanty as they yet are, we can take a new look at the history of the oyo empire in the 18th century, and question the old view. This study examines the correlation between the expansion and collapse of the oyo empire, the ethnolinguistic configuration of the migration from the bight of benin to cuba and transformations in the conceptual meaning of lucumi. Suffice to state that oyo empire was founded by oranmiyan, the direct. Oyo ile was razed by the fulani empire in 1835 and the oyo empire collapsed in 1836, 46 once afonja had been killed by the fulani. In response to this, oyo attacked dahomey and was defeated. This paper is not concerned with the establishment of the empire, its growth, dwindling, and reconstruction. Enclosures of the old oyo empire, nigeria springerlink. The ancient oyo empire, established by the yoruba people, controlled a wide area between the volta and niger and rivers by the mid seventeen century. Other works that might also be helpful are warfare in atlantic africa. Feb 19, 2012 oyo authority was expressed in a form of indirect rule by the stationing all over the empire of resident political representatives known as ajele asoju oba the eyes of the king who in turn were supervised by the ilari, the royal messengers from oyo smith, 1969. The oyo empire of the yoruba historywiz africa civilization. On oyo crisis see samuel johnson, history of the yorubas the from the earliest to the beginning of the british protectorate lagos. Toward the end of the 18th century, the empire acted as a gobetween for both the transsaharan and transatlantic slave trade.
Empire oyo empire reached its climax in 18th century, unfortunately, it began declining towards the end of the century. A west african imperialism in the era of the atlantic slave trade. It was during the seventeenth century that the oyo empire began to develop on a large scale, and under the warlike alafin, ajagbo, reached out toward the coast. The oyo empire was a yoruba empire of what is today benin and western nigeria including southwest zone and the western half of northcentral zone. The oyo empire is one of the great ancient empirein nigera, which its origin could be trace to oduduwain ileife, craddle of the yorubas who occupled thewestern region of nigeria. The old oyo oyo ile was the capital of oyo empire that was abandoned around 1837 as a result of fulanijihad war of the 18 th and 19 century okpoko 1998.
The city was surpassed by the oyo empire as the dominant yoruba military and political power in the 11th century the oyo empire under its oba, known as the alaafin of oyo, was active in the african slave trade during the 18th century. Up to this day, the illorin traditional ruler is an emir, whereas in the rest of yoruba towns the kings are called oba or baale baale or baba onile meaning father of. Many nigerian peoples did not develop centralized monarchical states. Unlike other yoruba states, which were located in the forest area, oyo was situated in woodland savannah. From about 1680 to 1830 the capital city of oyoile oldoyo, and its king the. These events weakened the southern yorubas in their. He spends some time on the oyo dahomey conflict, examining the tactics of each side, as well as its implications for the atlantic slave trade. The igbo characteristic decentralized society seems to have been a deliberate departure from the earlier traditions of nri. Old oyo influences on the transformation of lucumi identity. She became the first woman to become king of the oyo in the imperial era, and the first woman since the preimperial ruler yeyeori. The bashorun communicated with the orun, the dual of the. Early oyo history reconsidered history in africa cambridge core. The oyo empire, from the seventeenth century through its col lapse in the first.
The preset day oyo town metamorphosed from the ancient oyo empire which was. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Empire of illusion the end of literacy and the triumph of spectacle chris hedges nation books. Iwereile became the headquarters of iwajowa lg in december 1996 upon the creation of the. The oyo empire was a yoruba empire of what is today benin and western nigeria the oyo. Orompoto was the sister of her predecessor, eguguojo. The geographical advantage and the protection ofthr trade route played significant roles in the riseof the kingdom. The yoruba often demanded slaves as a form of tribute of subject populations, citation. These user guides are clearlybuilt to give stepbystep information about how you ought to go ahead in operating certain equipments. Established in the 12th century, the oyo empire grew to become the largest yoruba state. The good people there gave me permission to add it to the wiki commons.
Mar 25, 2017 the oyo empire, like many empires before it, used both local and tributary forces to expand its domains. Archived pdf from the original on 20 february 2007. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 ad and hausa states around 85 ad during the 11th century, while. One of the most prominent of these was the ancient oyo empire. Many headsets are sold under different brand names. The city engaged extensively in trade and became wealthy. Established in the 15th century, the oyo empire grew to become one of the largest west african states. The great gibbon had branded the successors of justinian and heraclius as a series of vicious weaklings, and for several generations no one dared to contradict him. Orompoto also spelled oronpoto was a female alaafin of oyo, a yoruba empire.
Rt to ost feared king to ever live in the old oyo empire is no joke. Other titles of the alaafin of oyo apart from being a wealthy rich yoruba king which makes the alaafin of oyo net worth run into billions of naira, there are other names or titles by which the alaafin. However, the oyo hegemony had been dealt a mortal blow. Of these, the igbo were probably the most remarkable because of the size of their territory and the density of population. Oyo rose to become the most important city state, surpassing ife during the 0s. Empire was dismissed by modern historians as depressing and monotonous. Up to this day, the illorin traditional ruler is an emir, whereas in the rest of yoruba towns the kings are called oba or baale baale or baba onile.
In fact, oyo yoruba were made up of all yoruba sub grouping in the ancient time because it was the seat of economic boom and military might, which fought against every foreigners that attempted to attack yoruba race from the northern part. Nigeria igboland and the delta citystates britannica. Egypt was both a living museum, suitable for cultural selfimprovement, and a sophisticated community of the cosmopolitan european middle class, with whom communication was easily possible by means of the. Situated in an ideal geographic location between the volta and niger river, the oyo empire became an important trade center. Brief history of yoruba people, culture, religion and. Mesi over the policy thrust of a peaceful diplomacy against military adventurism of. The capital of the state was moved from old oyo katunga in 1930s and the alaafin lord of the palace of oyo kingdom still reside in the city.
Indirect rule and change in southeastern nigeria 18941934 london. West african imperialism in the era of the atlantic slave trade oxford studies in african affairs law, robin on. Oyo kingdom will be agog as that highly rated and inspirational youngstar musician zamloko will blast out his superb talents to people of oyo. By 1680, the oyo empire spanned over 150,000 square kilometers. History has it that the oyo empire is the traditional empire of yoruba land, although not the seat of oduduwa, the founder of the yoruba tribe. Meanwhile, the bini kingdom in modern day edo state, which was founded by one of the sons of oduduwa, was also growing in influence. Mar 26, 2016 oyo empire was one of the largest empire in west african state established by yoruba people in 16501750, most of the states between the volta river in the west and the niger river in the east. The age of empire to be done in the ottoman empire and the middle east, and austria had long been central europes business window on the orient. The oyo state of the yorubas was the earliest and the largest of the four great kingdoms of west africa. Oyo empire was one of the largest empire in west african state established by yoruba people in 16501750, most of the states between the volta river in the west and the niger river in the east. Up to this day, the illorin traditional ruler is an emir, whereas in the rest of yoruba towns the kings are called oba or baale baale or baba onile meaning father of the land or lord of the land. The oyo empire pages 156187 is also a rich place to begin.
Nov 20, 2017 the oyo empire was a yoruba empire of what is today western and north central nigeria. Alafin were a powerful presence shaping the course of. Alternatively, you can download the file locally and open with any standalone pdf reader. He had privileges no other citizen or official enjoyed.
Precolonial political administration in yoruba land. In the 16th18th centuries, the alaafin of oyo was the most powerful king out of the list because he the ruled the strongest, most expansive empire in all of yorubaland what is presently southwest nigeria the oyo empire. Onigbogiconducted evacuation of oyoile probably around 16th century there were 36 other kings after onigbogi. The oyo empire was a yoruba empire of what is today western and north central nigeria. If you do not see its contents the file may be temporarily unavailable at the journal website or you do not have a pdf plugin installed and enabled in your browser. It rose through the outstanding organizational and administrative skills of the yoruba people, wealth gained from trade and its powerful cavalry.
Reduce damage caused by natural disasters around the world and create further safety and security in society. The empire was the largest in present day yorubaland and one the largest west african empires encountered by colonial explorers. Oyo empire, yoruba state north of lagos, in presentday southwestern nigeria, that dominated, during its apogee 16501750, most of the states between the volta river in the west and the niger river in the east. What was to become the oyo empire began as the state of oyo, founded sometime before 1400, with its capital at oyo ile, also known as katunga or old oyo or oyo. Oyo ile was razed by the fulani empire in 1835 and the oyo empire collapsed in 1836, once afonja had been killed by the fulani. Despite its age, the oyo empire continues to be a keystone book for the study of oyo history. Its foundation myth draws upon yoruba religious beliefs and holds sacred the original settlement of ileife, which continues to be upheld as the creation site for the yoruba.
Iwajowa is a local government area in oyo state, nigeria. Oyo empire historical kingdom in western africa britannica. At present very little is known about the early history of the state. The people moved to koso for security reasons and settled on koso hill and below the bara mountain. The other yoruba citystates broke free of oyo dominance, and subsequently became embroiled in a series of internecine conflicts that soon metamorphosed into a full scale civil war. The citystate of portonovo, under the protection of oyo, and dahomey had a longstanding rivalry largely over control of the gold trade along the coast. The ruler of the empire, was the alafin owner of the palace, and he established at old oyo, the. The empire succeeded llelfe as the dominant kingdom in the area after 1700. Oyo yoruba empire ogen major reference works wiley.
Oyo was ruled by the alafin and the oyo misi, council of noblemen of oyo. With the eighteenth century came the conquest of the kingdom of dahomey when dahomey attempted to dispute oyo s coastal outlets. May 28, 2014 oyo empire 16001836 was a yoruba empire, located in present day nigeria and benin. It was the most important and authoritative of all the early yoruba principalities. This invasion led to the widespread dispersal of the inhabitants of oyo and their resettlement in other parts of yorubaland such as ogbomoso, osogbo, ibadan, modakeke, and so on. A west african imperialism in the era of the atlantic slave trade oxford. They were also most politically important state in the region from the mid 17th to late 18th century, holding sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in yoruba land but also in some other. Oyo empire 16001836 was a yoruba empire, located in present day nigeria and benin. Ethnic identity and nineteenthcentury yoruba warfare. The precolonial political administration in yoruba land had a decentralized structure i. The site of oyo ile, the capital of the old oyo empire located on latitude 80 n and longitude 40 19 e in the extreme northwest of presentday yorubaland of nigeria, flourished in the 18 th and. Oyo will do our best to benefit the earth and people.
Oyo started with one city and one hotel in gurgaon in january 20. The oyo empire was a yoruba empire of what is today benin and western nigeria. Before the advent of the british in yoruba land, yoruba kingdoms maintained an orderly and unified political system which is still in effect till today. Oxford studies in african affa we use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. The new oyo empire ihs ibadan history atanda, j a on. It succeeded ile ife as the dominant kingdom in the area after 1700. The structure of the oyo military prior to its imperial period was simple and closer aligned to the central government in metropolitan oyo.
Oyo empire oluyole pdf oyo empire oluyole are a good way to achieve details about operating certainproducts. Material life and domestic economy in a frontier of oyo empire. Contribute to the development of a sustainable society. Africa info on the oyo empire military, archaeology. There is no where in yoruba land that will ignore the strength of oyo empire. Much of the historiography assumes the coherence of lucumi culture was the result. This article was most recently revised and updated by amy mckenna, senior editor. The precolonial political administration in yoruba land is one of the most popular among the precolonial systems administrations in nigeria. Pdf oyo empire and its colony akin ogundiran academia.
The british took over whatever was left of the oyo empire in 1888. The empire eventually fell in the early 19th century following a full. Established in the 15th century, the oyo empire grew to. This may have been fine in the 15th century when oyo controlled only its heartland. The oyo empire by prof george ayittey a new nigeria. Yoruba people the reader wiki, reader view of wikipedia. Ojo agunbambaru was one of the surviving sons of the renowned basorun gaa. Numerous ancient african civilizations settled in the region that is today nigeria, such as the kingdom of nri, the benin empire, and the oyo empire.
The oyo empire was established by the yoruba people in the 15th century and was one of the largest west african states. Oyo ile was razed by the fulani empire in 1835 and the oyo empire collapsed in 1836, 42 once afonja had been killed by the fulani. Oyo like all african states on the coast engage in the slave trade. In the second half of the 18th century, dynastic intrigues, palace coups, and failed military campaigns began to weaken the oyo empire.
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