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13/01/2022

21/04/2020

Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadan and Yorubaland as a whole, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their great fore father, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war.

”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. His eyes caught the Egungun’s outfit and were attracted towards it. But as he moved towards the shrine where the outfit was kept, the war captive warned Aje Ayorinde not to go near it because it could put his life in jeopardy. Hence the name Oloolu, that is, O-LU-NKAN, meaning ‘you will put your life in peril. Ayorinde took the advice but ordered his captive to take the outfit along with him back to Ibadan. He also ordered the wife of the captive to accompany her husband to Ibadan. The woman refused. In his annoyance, Ayorinde beheaded her and ordered the captured husband to carry the woman’s head along to Ibadan in addition to the Oloolu outfit. That woman’s head is what is permanently placed on the masquerade. It is the original one. It is because of the head that every woman is barred from setting eyes on the Oloolu. Any woman who sees the real Oloolu – not his pictures – will surely die. It is also true that the first person the Ololu sees on his first day will die. The Olubadan usually warns the populace to take precautions.

During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade.

No other Egungun must be seen on the streets whenever the Oloolu is out. That Egungun will certainly perish. During the reign of Olubadan Dada, and Egungun called Iponri-Iku tried it. I was then a small boy. Iponri-Iku came out on the same day the Oloolu was out. He challenged the Oloolu to do his worst. Oloolu then dropped a special cowry on the ground and challenged Iponri-Iku to pick it up. Iponri-Iku bent down to pick the cowry. He could not. His backbone was broken instantly. Iponri-Iku could no longer stand up. His followers had to carry him home. Iponri-Iku died on the same day. Since that day, no other Egungun has dared to challenge the Oloolu.

According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people try to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him”

The Oloolu masquerade is an individual masquerade. It has its unique attire which looks like an elongated pyramid made from different pieces of clothes and a net. The most bizarre piece of the Oloolu masquerade is that it has the skull of a woman as its crown. As the Oloolu dances round the city in its strange rhythm with a female skull dangling on its head, the bearer proudly displays the human bone while accompanying the dreaded cult figure.

The bearer of Oloolu must not wear shoes nor carry any kind of load on his head. Also, he must not go to bed with any of his wives 30 days before coming out. In fact, a few days before the festival opens, all females must vacate his compound and return after the Oloolu festival is over. Besides, he must not carry a child on his shoulders with his feet slung round his neck.‎

Of all the egunguns worshipped in Ibadan and probably in all of Yorubaland, none is as dreaded as the Egungun Oloolu (Oloolu Masquerade). This cult figure is believed to have immense supernatural powers and one of these is the ability to mysteriously kill the first person man or woman who sets his or her eyes on the Oloolu (in his weird costume which is usually kept inside its own special shrine).

FROM OPERA HUB

10/12/2019

WHY BASHORUN OGUNMOLA FAMILY IS PROMINENT IN IBADAN LAND.

Ogunmola family is very popular and strong in Ibadan land, the capital city of Oyo state and from generation to generation the family has kept their value and tradition. Their matriach Basorun Ogunmola''s story is a fascinating one. His life and time was ridled with lots interesting stories, from being an oracle diviner since age 10 and later to a warlord. He was one of the foremost warriors the ancient city of Ibadan has ever produced. He did not only fought and won several wars but also went ahead to become Ibadan ruler between 1865-67.

Ogunmola's story is a well known story to all and sundry. Different accounts of his life and time, alongside other prominent warriors, has been captured by many writers of history of Yoruba land. His bravery, involvement and exploits in many wars that ravaged the Yoruba land several centuries ago, has also been discussed on many occasions and on different mediums too.

It was very established that Ogunmola led and won 21wars out of 23 wars that he fought.The most popular of them is the Ijaye war. This is a war in which he led other Ibadan's warriors to wage war against another Yoruba Generalissimo, Kurunmi, in solidarity for the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo. It was after the success he recorded against Kurunmi that led to his ruling of Ibadan land as the BASORUN between 1865-1867 and all that.

As Ogunmola's life has become part of Yoruba history and a case study for students, researchers and film makers, however, there are so many shocking things people don't know about his family.

Not many people known that there some things that are taboos to the prominent Ogunmola family in Ibadan. Very few are also aware that Ogunmola's tomb, shrine as well as war tools used by the late war general, are been preserved up till this moment, and has since turned to a tourist centre for those who may be interested in his history and all.

All these effects are not only being properly kept but still being worship as Ogunmola used to do in his life time, including the god of iron (Ogun).

Ogunmola's remains was buried right in the premises, near his shrine at beers. It is also in the same place the family's masquerades and other historical artefacts are kept. Bashorun Ogunmola gave birth to three children (OSHUN, IYA OMOSA aka Iya Offa and ILORI), all of whom were warriors, were also buried within the compound. Even a gun, said to have been given to Ogunmola by a whiteman called Captain Ciron, to appease him to fighting wars, was still intact at the shrine.

Also, Basorun Ogunmola's descendants must not drink pap made of millet(red pap). That they must not also bath with hot water, no matter how cold is the whether and their male children must not dress in female attires. This was said to be as result of the fact that the family are descendants of Osun (the seagodess).

There is also this tradition a new born baby into the family must go through; it is called "Ifa Lomo". It is a process whereby the new born is made to drink from seven calabashes, to ascertain whether he or she is the real child of the family or a bastard. Even if the child is born in the hospital, the rituals must be carried out after they would have been discharged from the hospital.

But who really was Basorun Ogunmola? How did he came about his power and all that?

According to history, Ogunmola started ad an IFA priest who travels from town to town but on getting to ibadan to was a great warrior and an Ifa priest. WHY BASHORUN OGUNMOLA FAMILY IS PROMINENT IN IBADAN LAND.

Ogunmola family is very popular and strong in Ibadan land, the capital city of Oyo state and from generation to generation the family has kept their value and tradition. Their matriach Basorun Ogunmola''s story is a fascinating one. His life and time was ridled with lots interesting stories, from being an oracle diviner since age 10 and later to a warlord. He was one of the foremost warriors the ancient city of Ibadan has ever produced. He did not only fought and won several wars but also went ahead to become Ibadan ruler between 1865-67.

Ogunmola's story is a well known story to all and sundry. Different accounts of his life and time, alongside other prominent warriors, has been captured by many writers of history of Yoruba land. His bravery, involvement and exploits in many wars that ravaged the Yoruba land several centuries ago, has also been discussed on many occasions and on different mediums too.

It was very established that Ogunmola led and won 21wars out of 23 wars that he fought.The most popular of them is the Ijaye war. This is a war in which he led other Ibadan's warriors to wage war against another Yoruba Generalissimo, Kurunmi, in solidarity for the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo. It was after the success he recorded against Kurunmi that led to his ruling of Ibadan land as the BASORUN between 1865-1867 and all that.

As Ogunmola's life has become part of Yoruba history and a case study for students, researchers and film makers, however, there are so many shocking things people don't know about his family.

Not many people known that there some things that are taboos to the prominent Ogunmola family in Ibadan. Very few are also aware that Ogunmola's tomb, shrine as well as war tools used by the late war general, are been preserved up till this moment, and has since turned to a tourist centre for those who may be interested in his history and all.

All these effects are not only being properly kept but still being worship as Ogunmola used to do in his life time, including the god of iron (Ogun).

Ogunmola's remains was buried right in the premises, near his shrine at beers. It is also in the same place the family's masquerades and other historical artefacts are kept. Bashorun Ogunmola gave birth to three children (OSHUN, IYA OMOSA aka Iya Offa and ILORI), all of whom were warriors, were also buried within the compound. Even a gun, said to have been given to Ogunmola by a whiteman called Captain Ciron, to appease him to fighting wars, was still intact at the shrine.

Also some things are taboo Basorun Ogunmola family must not drink pap made of millet. That they must not also bath with hot water, no matter how cold is the whether. This was said to be as result of the fact that the family are descendants of Osun (the seagodess).

There is also this tradition a new born baby into the family must go through; it is called "Ifa Lomo". It is a process whereby the new born is made to drink from seven calabashes, to ascertain whether he or she is the real child of the family or a bastard. Even if the child is born in the hospital, the rituals must be carried out after they would have been discharged from the hospital.

But who really was Basorun Ogunmola? How did he came about his power and all that?

Ogunmola, according to Sikiru Ogunmola, the man in charge of the shrine and who also doubles as the Agbaakin Oje of Ibadan land, was a great warrior and an Ifa priest. He started divining oracle since he was ten years old.

"WHY BASHORUN OGUNMOLA FAMILY IS PROMINENT IN IBADAN LAND.

Ogunmola family is very popular and strong in Ibadan land, the capital city of Oyo state and from generation to generation the family has kept their value and tradition. Their matriach Basorun Ogunmola''s story is a fascinating one. His life and time was ridled with lots interesting stories, from being an oracle diviner since age 10 and later to a warlord. He was one of the foremost warriors the ancient city of Ibadan has ever produced. He did not only fought and won several wars but also went ahead to become Ibadan ruler between 1865-67.

Ogunmola's story is a well known story to all and sundry. Different accounts of his life and time, alongside other prominent warriors, has been captured by many writers of history of Yoruba land. His bravery, involvement and exploits in many wars that ravaged the Yoruba land several centuries ago, has also been discussed on many occasions and on different mediums too.

It was very established that Ogunmola led and won 21wars out of 23 wars that he fought.The most popular of them is the Ijaye war. This is a war in which he led other Ibadan's warriors to wage war against another Yoruba Generalissimo, Kurunmi, in solidarity for the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo. It was after the success he recorded against Kurunmi that led to his ruling of Ibadan land as the BASORUN between 1865-1867 and all that.

As Ogunmola's life has become part of Yoruba history and a case study for students, researchers and film makers, however, there are so many shocking things people don't know about his family.

Not many people known that there some things that are taboos to the prominent Ogunmola family in Ibadan. Very few are also aware that Ogunmola's tomb, shrine as well as war tools used by the late war general, are been preserved up till this moment, and has since turned to a tourist centre for those who may be interested in his history and all.

All these effects are not only being properly kept but still being worship as Ogunmola used to do in his life time, including the god of iron (Ogun).

Ogunmola's remains was buried right in the premises, near his shrine at beers. It is also in the same place the family's masquerades and other historical artefacts are kept. Bashorun Ogunmola gave birth to three children (OSHUN, OMOSA aka Iya Offa and ILORI), all of whom were warriors, were also buried within the compound. Even a gun, said to have been given to Ogunmola by a whiteman called Captain Ciron, to appease him to fighting wars, was still intact at the shrine.

Also some things are taboo Basorun Ogunmola family must not drink pap made of millet. That they must not also bath with hot water, no matter how cold is the whether. This was said to be as result of the fact that the family are descendants of Osun (the seagodess).

There is also this tradition a new born baby into the family must go through; it is called "Ifa Lomo". It is a process whereby the new born is made to drink from seven calabashes, to ascertain whether he or she is the real child of the family or a bastard. Even if the child is born in the hospital, the rituals must be carried out after they would have been discharged from the hospital.

But who really was Basorun Ogunmola? How did he came about his power and all that?

"Basorun Ogunmola was born in Iwo, at Ifeesu, Alawe Compound. He started Ifa divination at the age of 10. Whatever he says will happen would definitely come to pass. So powerful was Ogunmola that before the then Oluwo called his father, Orisagunna, he has seen it that he had to leave the town. Even without having a particular place in mind, he sets out. He later settled at a village called "Oyin", it is close to Iwo," he said.

it was revealed to him through Ifa, that he had to leave. He was made to understand that cotton wool will outgrow the place in the future. That is why they normally praise them as "a bi'besu, ara ilu Oyin, Omo owu laba ki, owu laba yin. Bi o ba si owu, onirunru idi laba ma ri, bi Koko, bi ewo". He was thereafter directed to move to Ibadan by the oracle.

He, Ogunmola travels from one town to the other practising what he knows how yo do best but on getting to Ibadan, "then EBA ODAN",
he met the likes of Iba Oluyole, Ibikunle, Oderinlo and others. He was later to meet with Iba Oluyole, to seek for a place where he could settle, only for him to be told to be living in the backyard (popularly nowadays as BQ). Ogunmola outright rejected the offer, as backyard was meant to be for slaves back then.

He went to Oderinlo too, the response was the same. He then looked up and saw a thick forest where Mapo Hall is today. He requested to be given permission to erect his tent there, but be was told that the place was dangerous. It was full of mysterious creatures and wild animals, else reason the area was abandoned. He was eventually allowed to move there and built his house with leaves, that was the normal practise then. Ogunmola was able to conquered all the wild animals, including the lion that used to kill people. Statue of the lion is what we have today at Mapo.

After a while, Ogunmola got another revelation that Mapo won't be accomodating to them in the future. They moved aite bit downward and settled where the compound is located today.

It was also revealed that Badhorun Ogunmola brought so many other warriors to fight along side him. They are as follows:-
Are Latosa,
Apanpa, Foko, Ogedengbe agbogungboro, Ali Iwo and others younger warriors who succeeded him after his death.

The great Basorun Ogunmola of Ibadan land later died as a result of what could best be described as conspiracy. His bed was laced with measles (Igbona). But for the brave man that Ogunmola was, even when perpetrators of the evil act were identified and people wanted to appeal to them for the cure. Ogunmola rejected the offer and later died.

16/11/2019

23/11/2018

THE OSOGBO WAR OF 1840

After the Fulanis systematically captured and made Ilorin their territory, they sacked the old Oyo Empire in 1835/1636 .

They were still not satisfied with their victory; they wished to extend their rule deep into the heart of Yoruba land. Thus in 1840, they set to capture Osogbo , a Yoruba town. The Fulanis, under the command of Ali , the Hausa balogun of Ilorin, laid siege on Osogbo.

When the king of Osogbo realized that the Ilorins were too strong for the Osogbo army, he summoned the Ibadans for help. Ibadan immediately sent some auxiliaries to Osogbo under the command of Obele alias Mobitan , and Alade Abimpagun. As this force could not stop the Ilorins, another contingent was sent to Osogbo under a more experienced leader. But still the Ilorins won every battle and gained more ground.

When Ibadan realized that the Ilorins were becoming more threatening to Yoruba land, they sent a large and stronger force under Balogun Oderinlo to crush the intruding forces and Jammas of Ilorin . When Oderinlo and his men arrived at the battlefield, they realized that things had gone worse than they thought.

They could not show their faces in the open field for the fear of the Ilorin horses, and for about 20 days after their arrival at Osogbo, they could not fight outside the town thickets. Oderinlo suggested that Elepo, a brave Ibadan warrior was badly needed at the war-front. Elepo had been rejected by the war-chiefs of Ibadan for his actions at the late Agbamaja expedition.

As soon as the message from Oderinlo reached Ibadan, the Bashorun wished he could send Elepo to Osogbo but could not go against the wish of other war-chiefs. The Bashorun gave Elepo a cow to worship his god, Ori , and pray for the victory of Ibadan at the war-front.

At the war-front, the Ibadan could not attack the Ilorins during the day because Osogbo was practically in a plain and the Ilorin horses might have advantage of them with disastrous results.

They decided to attack at dusk when the Ilorins would no longer be able to use their horses. About 2:pm, the well prepared Ibadan army left the gate of Osogbo for the battlefield. They were to keep a strict watch and arrest anyone suspected to be a spy.

About a mile from the Ilorin camp, they halted and arranged the order of the attack.

The Osogbo army and the earlier auxiliaries were to handle the center of the battlefield, chiefs Abitiko and Labuju were to command the right wing, Balogun Oderinlo with the rest of the Ibadan war-chiefs were to form the left wing of the army. The Ilorin camp was then attacked at midnight. The watchword was “ Elo ni owo odo? ” (How much is the ferry fare?).

The reason this watchword was chosen was because the river Osun had to be crossed in entering Osogbo from the south, and anyone who could not tell this was likely to be an enemy.

Stampede engulfed the Ilorin camp as the Ibadan army set it on fire. The Ilorins could not offer the slightest resistance; they were smoked with the gunpowder of the Ibadan guns.

This attack was a success for the Ibadan. Some Ilorin war-chiefs were captured in the attack. Prominent ones were:
1. Jimba the head slave of the Emir;
2. One of the sons of Ali the commander in chief;
3. Chief Lateju;
4. Ajikobo the Yoruba Balogun of Ilorin.
The first two were released while the latter two, being Yoruba by birth, were regarded as traitors and were executed. This was a huge victory for the whole of Yoruba land. After the Osogbo victory,
Ibokun, an Ijesa town not far from Osogbo was taken by the Ibadans for being an ally of Ilorin.
After this war, Ìbàdàn later became a force building a formidable war machinery than later prosecuted many other wars with resounding victory.
Notable among the wars was the KIRIJI WAR where the Ibadan warlords formed a historic alliance with the Igbajos. Even though Igbajo became the war front for many years that the war lasted, it was never captured by the raging Ekiti parapò warriors. Rather it was a place where many of them met their Waterloo.
Notable among the warriors were Fabunmi Okeemesi, Ogedengbe Agbogun gboro of the Ijesas, Apasikoto pasigegele of Igbajo and Latoosa of Ibadan to mention a few. There were many more great warriors of the time.
It's worthy to note that the KIRIJI WAR was the last war in Yoruba land. It's also recorded as the longest native war between in Africa.
Since then the Yoruba people have continued to build strong bonds among themselves and they have sustained the peace.

We must continue to tell our children the history of the Yoruba people and the bond which our father had built so that we can continue to see ourselves as one. If the Ibadan people can sacrifice their lives for the people of Osogbo in other to safe other towns and villages in Yoruba land and in essence the carnage of innocent people were prevented, then, we the modern Yorubas have no reason to divide ourselves for political reasons or any reason at all.
Our leaders must continue to put their lives in the forefront to safe the land from all aggression.
And we have the responsibility to support, to advise and to pray for all our leaders irrespective of political divide. OMO YORUBA RONU OOO.

03/09/2018

OMO YORUBA E RONU O......