Info For You Lot Owu People: Ancient Warriors As Well As Yoruba Sub-Ethnic Group
Owu people (Orile-Owu or Owu-Ipole) are agriculturalist, ancient warriors together with Yoruboid-speaking people that forms a sub-set of the larger Yoruba ethnic grouping of West Africa, peculiarly Nigeria. Owu people are peculiarly residents of Abeokuta inwards Ogun state.
Historically, Owu percentage inwards the Federal Republic of Nigeria is bounded inwards the due south yesteryear Ijebu-Igbo inwards Ogun State; inwards the due east yesteryear Ife South Local Government Area; inwards the N yesteryear Gbongan – 1 of the prominent towns inwards Osun State together with inwards the due west yesteryear Irewole/Isokan Local Government Area. Ago-Owu inwards Abeokuta is where the Owus are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non concentrated, yet large Owu settlements are found throughout the Yoruba kingdom. The Yoruba kingdom extends beyond the boundaries of Nigeria into the Republic of Benin.
Orile-Owu inwards the yesteryear was an ancient wood kingdom which is believed to live the initiative off settlement exterior Ile-Ife, the popularly acclaimed traditional homeland of the Yoruba people. Several notions almost this ancient kingdom regarding its status equally the cradle of all other Owu communities have got led to some generated heated controversies.
Among the diverse Yoruba sub-ethnic groups such as Oyo, Egba, Ife, Ijebu, Ijesha, Awori, Remo, Igbomina, Ondo, Ekiti together with others, Owu people are real pop especially when 1 count the state of war years of the larger Oyo Kingdom. Within the said percentage of old Oyo, Owu was real prominent together with fifty-fifty ruled the waves. Owu collected tribute from the Bariba, the Borgu together with had ruled over old Oyo until the reign of Sango. All this happened because they (Owu) also settled inside that real region. (See Johnson’s “History of the Yorubas” p.149). Their presence inwards that percentage was indisputably powerful. Owu fought side yesteryear side with Egba inwards the Makun together with other wars against Ado Odo together with Dahomey inwards 1842-45. Owu contingents fought together with routed Awori at Itori, Yobo, Ifo, Atan, Ota together with also occupied those places till today. In his address to Owu people during the eighth Owu Day celebrations inwards 2007, the Olowu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu maintained that "Owu people had fought wars, won battles together with settled inwards real many places betwixt the Niger river together with the bounding main (Owus inwards Lagos State; Epe, etc.), yet their main flow had settled amidst the Egbas inwards Abeokuta BUT, THEY ARE NOT EGBAS, neither are they lJEBUS. (See Johnson’s “History of the Yorubas, p.18). Owu settlements inwards Ijebu together with Abeokuta were non equally a termination of direct battles or victory over them, but to a greater extent than ofttimes than non on friendly terms."
One of the distinctive socio-political departure betwixt Owus together with other Yoruba sub-tribes is that the Owus do non have got an Oluwo (Ogboni Head Chief) together with do non concord Ogboni assemblies. On the contrary, the Owu palace has its ain civilization of opened upward deliberation where whatever Owu mortal tin participate. That is why people refer to the Owus equally “Owu a gbooro gbimo” pregnant "Owu the deliberative group".
Owu settlements are found throughout the Yoruba Kingdom, all of which have got historical together with cultural affinity to the homeland – that is Orile-Owu. In the Yoruba language, “Orile” agency an ancestral domicile or settlement spell the give-and-take “Owu” is derived from a cotton fiber flora belonging to the genus Gossypium. This flora is called owu yesteryear the Yoruba. Therefore, “Orile-Owu” agency the original settlement or site of the Owu people. The early on settlers of this kingdom planted together with traded inwards cotton. Hence, this identify was called “Igbo Owu” i.e Cotton Forest.
Mathew Arema Okikiola Olusegun Obasanjo, Owu tribe homo and Retired Army General who hails from the Olusanmi chemical compound inwards Sokori, Owu Abeokuta is the solely 3 term together with longest inwards role Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He revamped the Owu National Movement at nowadays called RUOP which was originally founded yesteryear Balogun Akin Olugbade, his predecessor inwards the role of Balogun Owu Abeokuta. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 1 fourth dimension leader of the Eminent Personalities grouping together with rival for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. He is the electrical flow Balogun Owu.
There are a lot of abandoned historical together with cultural heritage resources inwards Orile-Owu. This attests to the heritage of the Owu people equally a bully kingdom inwards the past. Moreover, for several years that the ancient town has been inwards existence, settlement features such equally ditches together with embankments, turn down mounds, historic buildings, together with pottery scatters inside the ancient town (site) are yet to live fully understood especially inside the context of how they reverberate the antiquity of the settlement on 1 hand, together with how they stand upward a goodness risk to investigating the connecter betwixt the homeland together with outlier Owu settlements inwards the Yoruba region, on the other hand.
Owu people of Abeokuta
Geography together with Climate
Owu is inside latitude 7°10’ together with 7°15’N together with longitude 4°25’E. This percentage is bounded inwards the due south yesteryear Ijebu-Igbo inwards Ogun State; inwards the due east yesteryear Ife South Local Government Area; inwards the N yesteryear Gbongan – 1 of the prominent towns inwards Osun State together with inwards the due west yesteryear Irewole/Isokan Local Government Area. The study surface area is situated inwards the tropics, where the Sun is overhead almost every twenty-four hours of the year. The annual temperature is almost 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, averaging 1300mm per annum reaching its peak betwixt Apr together with belatedly September. Orile-Owu is sunny throughout the year. The relative humidity coincides with months with depression rainfall – Dec to March (Adejobi 1997; Adejuwon 1974, Ogundele together with Ebonine, 2010).In damage of accessibility, Orile-Owu is almost 46km from Ibadan. There is a well- tarred motorable route from Ibadan to Orile-Owu together with inside the town are curt footpaths, which brand Orile-Owu real accessible.
Abeokuta
The vegetation type inwards this surface area is a secondary forest. The vegetation has been greatly impacted yesteryear growth inwards human population together with activities. Orile-Owu was an ancient wood kingdom with varieties of flora species. The predominant plants that be inwards this locality comprise of tree species such equally petroleum palm (Elaeis guineensis), iroko (Milicia excela), mahogany (Entadrophragma cylindricum), arere (Triplocyton scleroxylon), together with teak (Tectona grandis). The surface area is good drained yesteryear rivers together with streams including the Obalufon, Omu, Ope, Oranran, Osun together with Shasha rivers. The availability of these rivers together with streams has some positive impact on local agriculture together with other livelihood including palm petroleum production (Ogundele together with Ebonine, 2010). The soil is fertile thereby allowing the tillage of diverse cash together with subsistence crops. The availability of the essential natural resources at the site made it a suitable identify for the ancient population to settle.
Language
Owu people verbalise North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect of Yoruboid languages which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication phylum. Apart from Owu people, the other areas that verbalise North-West Yoruba dialects include Abẹokuta, Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun together with Lagos (Eko) areas.
Ogogo kulodo masquerade from Ota Awori inwards Ogun State
History
According to written sources, the establishment or founding of Owu Ipole (as Orile-Owu was formerly referred to) was shortly after the settlement of Oduduwa inwards Ile – Ife, hence they said “Owu Lakoda” pregnant Owu was the initiative off to live founded after Ile – Ife is a pop saying amidst the Yoruba (Mabogunje,1997). It is believed from oral tradition that the Owu occupied an surface area straight along together with below Niger River inwards the acquaint province of Nigeria. Orile-Owu later on expanded together with became a real pop together with powerful Yoruba settlement, which eventually attained the status of a kingdom of bully repute. It became a strength to live reckoned with inside Yoruba land, peculiarly betwixt the belatedly 18th together with early on 19th centuries.
By the instant decade of the 19th century, Orile-Owu began to wane downwards equally a termination of nutrient shortage, war, together with consequently, insecurity of lives together with properties resulting from slave raiding. Thus the settlers had to become inwards search of improve economical opportunities, equally this was of import inwards ensuring their survival. The Owus hence abandoned their heavily fortified urban center together with escaped southwest inwards groups for security inwards the human face upward of heavy external aggression (Chief Olalere per comm., 2011).The devastation of the heavily fortified urban center was caused yesteryear the belatedly 19th century intra-sub-ethnic wars. This devastation had its consequences on the people together with it is believed to live the argue behind their broad dispersal all over the country. Owu settlements are found today inwards most Yoruba communities including Abeokuta together with Lagos, together with equally far afield equally Igbomina reason inwards Kwara State of Nigeria. The collapse of Old Oyo (in the northern component division of Yoruba land), a powerful upper-case missive of the alphabet of the Oyo empire inwards the early on 19th century, coupled with the in conclusion strength out of Orile-Owu inwards 1825 was instrumental to the demographic changes inwards southern Yoruba reason (Ogundele together with Babalola, 2007:60; Ogundele together with Ebonine: 2010).
Ijebu together with Ife state of war against Owu
In 1821–26, the armies of both Ijebu together with the Ife attacked together with devastated Owu Ipole. The Owus abandoned their heavily fortified urban center together with escaped southwestward inwards groups toward Ibadan inwards almost 1826. From these outskirts, they marched on together with across Ogun River together with finally arrived at Oke Ata close Abeokuta where Sodeke, an Egba authoritative leader, persuaded the gallant Owus to settle inwards Abeokuta almost 1834. It is of import to province that the acquaint Orile Owu is the same identify equally Owu Ipole where the Owus from Iwo together with other places resettled inwards the early on 20th century. The people of Erunmu (founded yesteryear the older blood brother of an before Olowu from the Amororo Ruling House) were e'er loyal to the course of study of Owu Kingdom. During the Owu war, the Olowu was carried on his dorsum (to disguise his escape) from Orile Owu (Owu Ipole) to Orile Erunmu, guarded yesteryear a combined squad of his majestic guards together with Oba Erunmu's majestic guards. After Orile Owu was devastated, the remaining Owu Blue Planet forces retreated to defend Orile Erunmu against the allied Blue Planet forces of Ijebu together with Ife.
Ota together with Ado-Odo
Owu was a major constituent inwards the 1842-45 state of war against Ota together with Ado Odo. It is interesting to Federal Reserve notation that halfway through the war, Sodeke devised a way for the Egba contingent led yesteryear Ayikondu to desert the warfront (see Ajisafe, Iwe Itan Abeokuta, p.73), employing the services of his friend (the enemy), Gezo, the Dahonean state of war leader. As an Awori Ota King, declared inwards 1935, the decision of the state of war of Otal Ado Odo was led yesteryear Gbalefa, the Owu General together with his Owu contingents together with that is how Owu people non solely conquered but occupy the at nowadays Gbalefa Peninsular.
Safeguarding the Crown
Before Orile Erunmu was also devastated together with razed to the ground, The Olowu together with The Oluroko of Erunmu devised strategies to ensure that the majestic lineages together with the Crown inherited from Oduduwa was preserved. The Olowu entrusted the Owu Crown to a warrior, but referred to equally Akogun (Owu's initiative off documented Akogun warrior. Akogun is a championship similar to an Blue Planet forces Defense Chief), Ijaola together with a few of the king's closest aides. When the siege on Erunmu began, Akogun was assigned to the warfront with the promise that he could plough the tides of state of war spell Ijaola was sent on a mandatory majestic assignment to Ibadan with a message for Maye, an Ibadan warlord. Before these 2 Crown trustees left to send out their respective orders, they had to entrust Oni (a skilled together with specialized trader together with farmer, together with also the older stepbrother of Ijaola) with safeguarding of the Crown. Oni together with other men entrusted with the Crown mingled with the refugees that eventually settled inwards Abeokuta. These men had strict instructions non to let on the whereabout of the Crown inwards the absence of the Akogun together with Ijaola, unless they received word of their death.
The Administration of Abeokuta
It is to live understood initiative off together with foremost that the Administration of Abeokuta is based on strict historical factors which clearly spells out areas of authorization of each of the initiative off 4 kings inwards Abeokuta, viz, Olowu,Agura, Osile together with Alake. The largest component division of the reason of Ibadan through Bakatari, Odeda, Osiele to the eastern component division of the old Igbo Egba is occupied to a greater extent than ofttimes than non yesteryear Gbagura. Some of the Gbagura reason which voluntarily declared their allegiance to the Alafin included Awe, Kojoku, Agerige, Aran, Fiditi, Abena, Akinmorin, Doba together with Oroko. If today all these were to live added, Gbagura would live the largest Egba land. Agura is the fundamental Rex over these traditionally Gbagura land.
Egba Oke Ona owns the reason that spreads N of Ona River together with ran along the due east fringes of Remoland together with through Siun/Owode to Abeokuta.
The Egba wood which spreads from the southern component division of Oyo through component division of Oke Ogun downwards to the acquaint Abeokuta ends at Oko Adagba together with includes such independent towns equally Ake, Ijeun, Oba, Igbein, Ijemo, Itoku, Imo, Emere, Kemta, Iro, Igbo, Erunwon, Itesi, Ikopa, Iporo together with many other towns. Most all of them together with their villages have got zeroed-in inwards Abeokuta. The initiative off Alake was installed inwards Abeokuta inwards August 1854. Today, in that location are 10 of them: -
(1) Okukenu 1854- 1862
(2) Ademola I 1869 -1877
(3) Oyekan 1879 -1881
(4) Luwaji 1885 -1888
(5) Sokalu 1891 -1898
(6) Gbadebo I 1898 -1920
(7) Ademola II 1920 -1962
(8) Gbadebo II 1963 -1971
(9) Lipede 1971- 2005
(10) Okukenu (IV) 2005
OWU ADMINISTRATION IN ABEOKUTA
(1) Pawu Apr 1855 -1867
(2) Adefowote 1867 -1872
(3) Aderinoye 1873 -1890
(4) Adepegba 1893 -1905
(5) Owokokade 1906 -1918
(6) DosunmuI 1918 -1924
(7) Adesina 1924 -1936
(8) Gbogboade 1938 -1946
(9) Ajibola 1949 -1972
(10) Oyegbade 1975 -1980
(11) Oyelekan 1987 -1987
(12) Odeleye 1993 -2003
(13) DosunmuII 2005
Paramount Ruler of OwuKingdom, HRM. Oba Dr. Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu. His palace is situated inwards the view of the stone urban center of Abeokuta, Ogun State, together with indeed the Olowu of Owu, (HRM) Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo 2, Akobi Odua is a initiative off degree monarch together with the Paramount Ruler of Owu Kingdom all over the world.
Olowu Council
seven groups constitute the Cabinet of the Olowu who is the paramount Ruler of Owu Kingdom. Listed below with the Olowu equally Chairman constitute The Supreme Cabinet of the Olowu of Owu, which is at nowadays known equally “OLOWU-IN-COUNCIL :" The describe of authorization 1. Balogun 2. Olori Igbimo 3. Olori Omo-Oba 4. Olori Parakoyi 5. Oluroko of Erunmu 6. Balogun Apomu 7. Iyalode."
Owu is ruled yesteryear Princes selected from half dozen ruling houses: Amororo, Otileta, Ayoloye, Akinjobi, Akinoso together with Lagbedu. These kings are assisted yesteryear a meat of chiefs known equally Ogboni together with Ologun. This meat of chiefs is headed yesteryear the Balogun who has nether him Otun, Osi, Seriki, Aare Ago together with Jagunna. Ogboni has equally their head, the Akogun, Obamaja, Orunto, Oyega, Osupori together with Omolasin. Olosi is the Ifa priest of the Olowu. Originally, Owu has 3 townships namely Owu, Erunmu together with Apomu."
In the reign of Oba Odeleye (1993-2003) the bring out of Owu townships expanded to 22 together with this eased the direction for Owu tremendously. By tradition, Olowus were selected yesteryear half dozen kingmakers, but 2 to a greater extent than chieftaincies were added inwards 1964 including Balogun together with Olosi.
Alakosos who at nowadays aid the Oba in
Interregnum
In 1855, the Owus crowned OBA Pawu equally the initiative off Rex Olowu of Owu of the Owus at Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta. Notably, in that location was a 21 twelvemonth interregnum betwixt the settlement of the Owu sojourners inwards Abeokuta together with the crowning of Pawu equally the initiative off Olowu inwards Abeokuta. See yesteryear together with acquaint Olowu of Owu inwards Abeokuta. He reigned for 12 years.
The argue for the interregnum may live attributed to the deterioration of the socio-cultural bond that became evident during the journeying betwixt Orile Owu together with Abeokuta. Hardship had made these Owu families insensitive to each other's welfare. The worst affected were the people of Erunmu because they were fewer. As a termination of their minority status they were marginalized yesteryear other Owu indigenes. Oni the keeper of the Crown was convinced that if he revealed the Crown to a people who had grown insensitive to the needs of their brothers, he would allow despotic dominion to concord sway over the townships of Owu, Erunmu together with Apomu (the Owu kingdom inwards Abeokuta). Over the years, Akogun (the highly ranked soldier) arrived inwards Abeokuta, but he could neither locate Ijaola nor Ijaola's stepbrother, Oni. Also, unknown to the Olowu together with Oluroko, Ijaola returned to Erunmu but had to enshroud on a farm settlement to escape capture. He later on settled inwards Iwo town where in that location was a community of Owu refugees together with began to merchandise inwards commodities together with prisoners of wars. It was inwards the course of study of this merchandise that he re-connected with his stepbrother through some other itinerant Owu merchant who was based inwards Abeokuta. Eventually, all arrangements were made for Ijaola to migrate to Abeokuta where he re-settled the people of Erunmu inwards Ita Erunmu (now called Totoro, after a tree). After Ijaola, Akogun together with Oni consulted with each other, revealed the crown of Oduduwa 21 years after the Owu people initiative off settled inwards Abeokuta.
Owu tribe man, Dr. Wale Babalakin (Born Bolanle Olawale Babalakin) is a Nigerian homo of affairs together with a Lawyer. He is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) together with a recipient of the Nigerian national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR)[2] inwards 2007.
Owu Tribal Mark
The larger Yoruba ethnic grouping are historically known to have got used together with soundless work facial tribal marks to distinguish 1 fellow member of 1 sub-Yoruba tribe from other. It is said that Owus used a unique traditional facial score called "Keke Olowu" to distinguish them from other tribal groups, especially when on state of war expeditions. The Keke or Gombo consists of iv or v perpendicular together with horizontal lines placed angularly on each cheek ; they occupy the whole infinite betwixt the auricle together with the cheek os ; 3 little perpendiculars are also placed on the horizontal lines on both cheeks The Keke-Olowu, an Owu variation of these is similar the Keke or Gombo with the lines discrete or interrupted together with links each ear with the side of the cheeks. It was mutual prior to the later on adoption of the agbaja-olowu.
Abaja Olowu: The Abaja are sets of 3 or iv parallel together with horizontal lines on each cheek ; they may live unmarried or double, each describe beingness from half-an-inch to 1 inch long. The Abaja-Olowu inwards distinction from other abajas has 3 perpendicular etchings plumbing equipment neatly to a higher identify 3 horizontal ones together with are real sparse together with narrow inwards contradistinction from the real bold ones worn yesteryear other tribes. This is farther accentuated with an additional 3 little horizontal etchings on the brow called ‘keeta’.
Furthermore, members of the majestic families would have got an additional 6 markings on the forearm with a farther 3 below the navel.
HRH Olowu of Owu together with Jimi Agbaje
Owu Day Festival (Odun Omo Olowu)
The original work of celebrating Omo Olowu festival is to give thank yous to Olodumare (Almighty God) for supplying all needs. The annual Owu Day festival tradition started inwards 1999 together with has attracted participation yesteryear several Owu indigenes together with people from all over the world. On Oct 9, 2010, the Olowu of Owu Oba Dosunmu publicly declared the instant weekend of the calendar month of Oct equally Owu's populace celebration of the goodness of the Almighty God. This proclamation was made to usher inwards the novel Omo Olowu festival which is to henceforth supersede the previous Owu Day Festival which incidentally had its tenth together with in conclusion outing in conclusion twelvemonth on the tenth twenty-four hours of the tenth month! The debuting Omo Olowu festival (reported inwards owulakoda.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/omo-olowu-festival-kicks-off) also incorporated the ancient traditional New Yam Festival which was dramatically staged yesteryear the Olowu himself, much to the delight, admiration together with applause of the attendant crowd together with dignitaries! The 2010 festival was attended yesteryear Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, old President of Nigeria, Balogun of Owu Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiedome, old Governor together with Field Commander of ECOMOG, Rtd General Tunji Olurin.
Balogun Akin-Olugbade – Owu political together with industrial prototype who was the primary whip of Action Group, & succeeded Awolowo equally the leader of the opposition inwards Nigeria’s initiative off Parliament. He built a infirmary & social view for the people of Abeokuta together with was the Aare-Ona Kakanfo before his elevation to Balogun of Owu.
Source:http://www.anistor.gr/english/enback/2013_3s_Anistoriton.pdf
http://owulakoda.me/history-and-migrations/
The Owu War
The kingdom beingness at nowadays inwards a disorganized status each tribal unit constituted itself an independent state. The Ifes inwards the east, and the Ijebus inwards the due south formed an alliance against the Owus to the south-west of the old together with N due west of the latter.
The Owus (although at nowadays domiciled with the Egbas) are a household unit of measurement quite distinct from. Egbas or Oyos. Hardihood, stubbornness, immorality, together with haughtiness are marked traits inwards their character, so much so that it has passed into a maxim " Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bi omg I'owu, o ni ako tabi abo ni, ewo ni jdo se omg nibe ? " (a fry is born at Owu, together with yous enquire virile mortal or woman mortal : which volition live a proper fry ?) Either gender activity when roused yesteryear passion would sooner buy the farm than non accept dire revenge. Their manners were totally dissimilar from those of the Oyos, but from the days of Sango they have got been real loyal to the Alafin of Oyo.
As warriors, the Owus were hardy, brave, together with courageous, they had no guns, their weapons consisting of the Agedengbe (a long heavy cutlass) with bows together with arrows. Coming to unopen quarters with cutlass inwards mitt was the mode of fighting characteristic of these brave people.
The effort of the state of war betwixt these 3 families was this : —
We have got already stated to a higher identify that during the reign of King Abiodun, limited orders were sent from Oyo to the Ooni of Ife, together with the Olowu to preclude Oyos beingness kidnapped together with sold at Apomu, the bully marketplace town where the interior together with the coast people met for trade. Now, since the start of the revolution, together with the disorganized province of the kingdom, the practise was revived. The rebellion has rendered the Central Authority powerless, but in that location were soundless some men of considerable powerfulness together with influence inwards the land, such equally Adegun the Onikoyi who was the premier provincial king, Toyejg theBal§ of Ogbomoso the Kakanfo, together with Edun of Gbogun.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 message similar to that sent yesteryear King Abiodun was at nowadays sent yesteryear the Onikoyi together with the Kakanfo conjointly to the Olowu, together with he inwards carrying out his orders had to chastise several towns ; hence Ikoyi Igbo, Apomu, Ikire, Irkn, He Olup^mi, Itahakun, Iseyin Odo, Iwata, Akinboto, Gbkngan, Isope, Iwara, together with Jagun, were
destroyed yesteryear war, all inwards Ife territory.
The Ooni of Ife was highly incensed at this together with declared state of war against Owu. The ascendance of the state of war was entrusted into the hands of his commander-in-chief Singunsin. Other war-chiefs associated with him were : — Okansk, Gbogbo Olu, Wasin, Alodeloko, etc. Their initiative off encampment was at a identify called Dariagbon a farm hamlet of 1 O1upona, side yesteryear side at Sifirin at the confluence of the Osun together with Ohk rivers.
The Ifes idea they would brand an slowly conquest of Owu for they themselves are a brave people, together with hence this state of war vocal inwards their peculiar dialect : —
E maha ja (a) gba, Let us cutting ropes,
Igbekun la mu a di Our captives to bind.
If a Olowu The Olowu's If a (god of palm nut)
Ewa la mu a se With our corn we'll cook.
The Owns received the word that state of war was declared against them with bully indignation. They considered themselves the powerfulness inwards these southern regions, together with what infatuation has led the Ifes to this presumption ? With 1 consent they straightaway marched out to run across them at this bully distance. The appointment was a
mitt to mitt scrap inwards which the Ifes were completely routed ; their Blue Planet forces was all but totally annihilated, solely almost 200 escaped to tell the tale of their dire misfortune !
The King of Iwo, inwards whose territory this disaster took identify did non acknowledge the survivors into his town for fright of incurring the displeasure of his formidable neighbours the Owus, whom he dreaded ar;d of whom he was jealous, but he so far sympathized with them that he advised that they should non undergo the humiliation of returning home, together with he allowed them to rendezvous inwards a identify called Adunbieiye for the work of recruiting their Blue Planet forces together with to endeavour some other chance, secretly hoping that fortune may favour them side yesteryear side time, together with beingness sick at ease with such a formidable neighbor equally the Owus.
This little Blue Planet forces remained inwards this identify for almost 5 years, unable to homecoming domicile from shame, together with yet could non obtain re-inforcement adequate for the bully enterprise.
Just equally this crisis the Owus together with the Ijebu traders had a serious complication at the Apomu market. The dispute arose from the sale of alligator pepper, together with it resulted inwards the rash expedition against Apomu yesteryear the haughty Owus ; the town was destroyed, together with many Ijebu traders together with residents lost their lives or their all.
Historically, Owu percentage inwards the Federal Republic of Nigeria is bounded inwards the due south yesteryear Ijebu-Igbo inwards Ogun State; inwards the due east yesteryear Ife South Local Government Area; inwards the N yesteryear Gbongan – 1 of the prominent towns inwards Osun State together with inwards the due west yesteryear Irewole/Isokan Local Government Area. Ago-Owu inwards Abeokuta is where the Owus are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non concentrated, yet large Owu settlements are found throughout the Yoruba kingdom. The Yoruba kingdom extends beyond the boundaries of Nigeria into the Republic of Benin.
Orile-Owu inwards the yesteryear was an ancient wood kingdom which is believed to live the initiative off settlement exterior Ile-Ife, the popularly acclaimed traditional homeland of the Yoruba people. Several notions almost this ancient kingdom regarding its status equally the cradle of all other Owu communities have got led to some generated heated controversies.
Among the diverse Yoruba sub-ethnic groups such as Oyo, Egba, Ife, Ijebu, Ijesha, Awori, Remo, Igbomina, Ondo, Ekiti together with others, Owu people are real pop especially when 1 count the state of war years of the larger Oyo Kingdom. Within the said percentage of old Oyo, Owu was real prominent together with fifty-fifty ruled the waves. Owu collected tribute from the Bariba, the Borgu together with had ruled over old Oyo until the reign of Sango. All this happened because they (Owu) also settled inside that real region. (See Johnson’s “History of the Yorubas” p.149). Their presence inwards that percentage was indisputably powerful. Owu fought side yesteryear side with Egba inwards the Makun together with other wars against Ado Odo together with Dahomey inwards 1842-45. Owu contingents fought together with routed Awori at Itori, Yobo, Ifo, Atan, Ota together with also occupied those places till today. In his address to Owu people during the eighth Owu Day celebrations inwards 2007, the Olowu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu maintained that "Owu people had fought wars, won battles together with settled inwards real many places betwixt the Niger river together with the bounding main (Owus inwards Lagos State; Epe, etc.), yet their main flow had settled amidst the Egbas inwards Abeokuta BUT, THEY ARE NOT EGBAS, neither are they lJEBUS. (See Johnson’s “History of the Yorubas, p.18). Owu settlements inwards Ijebu together with Abeokuta were non equally a termination of direct battles or victory over them, but to a greater extent than ofttimes than non on friendly terms."
One of the distinctive socio-political departure betwixt Owus together with other Yoruba sub-tribes is that the Owus do non have got an Oluwo (Ogboni Head Chief) together with do non concord Ogboni assemblies. On the contrary, the Owu palace has its ain civilization of opened upward deliberation where whatever Owu mortal tin participate. That is why people refer to the Owus equally “Owu a gbooro gbimo” pregnant "Owu the deliberative group".
Owu settlements are found throughout the Yoruba Kingdom, all of which have got historical together with cultural affinity to the homeland – that is Orile-Owu. In the Yoruba language, “Orile” agency an ancestral domicile or settlement spell the give-and-take “Owu” is derived from a cotton fiber flora belonging to the genus Gossypium. This flora is called owu yesteryear the Yoruba. Therefore, “Orile-Owu” agency the original settlement or site of the Owu people. The early on settlers of this kingdom planted together with traded inwards cotton. Hence, this identify was called “Igbo Owu” i.e Cotton Forest.
Mathew Arema Okikiola Olusegun Obasanjo, Owu tribe homo and Retired Army General who hails from the Olusanmi chemical compound inwards Sokori, Owu Abeokuta is the solely 3 term together with longest inwards role Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He revamped the Owu National Movement at nowadays called RUOP which was originally founded yesteryear Balogun Akin Olugbade, his predecessor inwards the role of Balogun Owu Abeokuta. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 1 fourth dimension leader of the Eminent Personalities grouping together with rival for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. He is the electrical flow Balogun Owu.
There are a lot of abandoned historical together with cultural heritage resources inwards Orile-Owu. This attests to the heritage of the Owu people equally a bully kingdom inwards the past. Moreover, for several years that the ancient town has been inwards existence, settlement features such equally ditches together with embankments, turn down mounds, historic buildings, together with pottery scatters inside the ancient town (site) are yet to live fully understood especially inside the context of how they reverberate the antiquity of the settlement on 1 hand, together with how they stand upward a goodness risk to investigating the connecter betwixt the homeland together with outlier Owu settlements inwards the Yoruba region, on the other hand.
Owu people of Abeokuta
Geography together with Climate
Owu is inside latitude 7°10’ together with 7°15’N together with longitude 4°25’E. This percentage is bounded inwards the due south yesteryear Ijebu-Igbo inwards Ogun State; inwards the due east yesteryear Ife South Local Government Area; inwards the N yesteryear Gbongan – 1 of the prominent towns inwards Osun State together with inwards the due west yesteryear Irewole/Isokan Local Government Area. The study surface area is situated inwards the tropics, where the Sun is overhead almost every twenty-four hours of the year. The annual temperature is almost 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, averaging 1300mm per annum reaching its peak betwixt Apr together with belatedly September. Orile-Owu is sunny throughout the year. The relative humidity coincides with months with depression rainfall – Dec to March (Adejobi 1997; Adejuwon 1974, Ogundele together with Ebonine, 2010).In damage of accessibility, Orile-Owu is almost 46km from Ibadan. There is a well- tarred motorable route from Ibadan to Orile-Owu together with inside the town are curt footpaths, which brand Orile-Owu real accessible.
Abeokuta
The vegetation type inwards this surface area is a secondary forest. The vegetation has been greatly impacted yesteryear growth inwards human population together with activities. Orile-Owu was an ancient wood kingdom with varieties of flora species. The predominant plants that be inwards this locality comprise of tree species such equally petroleum palm (Elaeis guineensis), iroko (Milicia excela), mahogany (Entadrophragma cylindricum), arere (Triplocyton scleroxylon), together with teak (Tectona grandis). The surface area is good drained yesteryear rivers together with streams including the Obalufon, Omu, Ope, Oranran, Osun together with Shasha rivers. The availability of these rivers together with streams has some positive impact on local agriculture together with other livelihood including palm petroleum production (Ogundele together with Ebonine, 2010). The soil is fertile thereby allowing the tillage of diverse cash together with subsistence crops. The availability of the essential natural resources at the site made it a suitable identify for the ancient population to settle.
Chief Gbenga Daniel, Ota tribe homo and Former Governor of Ogun State together with Aare Ajibosin of Owu Kingdom with his wife. His woman parent was Owu from Omu Ijebu.
Language
Owu people verbalise North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect of Yoruboid languages which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication phylum. Apart from Owu people, the other areas that verbalise North-West Yoruba dialects include Abẹokuta, Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun together with Lagos (Eko) areas.
Ogogo kulodo masquerade from Ota Awori inwards Ogun State
History
According to written sources, the establishment or founding of Owu Ipole (as Orile-Owu was formerly referred to) was shortly after the settlement of Oduduwa inwards Ile – Ife, hence they said “Owu Lakoda” pregnant Owu was the initiative off to live founded after Ile – Ife is a pop saying amidst the Yoruba (Mabogunje,1997). It is believed from oral tradition that the Owu occupied an surface area straight along together with below Niger River inwards the acquaint province of Nigeria. Orile-Owu later on expanded together with became a real pop together with powerful Yoruba settlement, which eventually attained the status of a kingdom of bully repute. It became a strength to live reckoned with inside Yoruba land, peculiarly betwixt the belatedly 18th together with early on 19th centuries.
By the instant decade of the 19th century, Orile-Owu began to wane downwards equally a termination of nutrient shortage, war, together with consequently, insecurity of lives together with properties resulting from slave raiding. Thus the settlers had to become inwards search of improve economical opportunities, equally this was of import inwards ensuring their survival. The Owus hence abandoned their heavily fortified urban center together with escaped southwest inwards groups for security inwards the human face upward of heavy external aggression (Chief Olalere per comm., 2011).The devastation of the heavily fortified urban center was caused yesteryear the belatedly 19th century intra-sub-ethnic wars. This devastation had its consequences on the people together with it is believed to live the argue behind their broad dispersal all over the country. Owu settlements are found today inwards most Yoruba communities including Abeokuta together with Lagos, together with equally far afield equally Igbomina reason inwards Kwara State of Nigeria. The collapse of Old Oyo (in the northern component division of Yoruba land), a powerful upper-case missive of the alphabet of the Oyo empire inwards the early on 19th century, coupled with the in conclusion strength out of Orile-Owu inwards 1825 was instrumental to the demographic changes inwards southern Yoruba reason (Ogundele together with Babalola, 2007:60; Ogundele together with Ebonine: 2010).
Pa Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, Owu tribe homo together with designer of Nigeria`s National Flag
Ijebu together with Ife state of war against Owu
In 1821–26, the armies of both Ijebu together with the Ife attacked together with devastated Owu Ipole. The Owus abandoned their heavily fortified urban center together with escaped southwestward inwards groups toward Ibadan inwards almost 1826. From these outskirts, they marched on together with across Ogun River together with finally arrived at Oke Ata close Abeokuta where Sodeke, an Egba authoritative leader, persuaded the gallant Owus to settle inwards Abeokuta almost 1834. It is of import to province that the acquaint Orile Owu is the same identify equally Owu Ipole where the Owus from Iwo together with other places resettled inwards the early on 20th century. The people of Erunmu (founded yesteryear the older blood brother of an before Olowu from the Amororo Ruling House) were e'er loyal to the course of study of Owu Kingdom. During the Owu war, the Olowu was carried on his dorsum (to disguise his escape) from Orile Owu (Owu Ipole) to Orile Erunmu, guarded yesteryear a combined squad of his majestic guards together with Oba Erunmu's majestic guards. After Orile Owu was devastated, the remaining Owu Blue Planet forces retreated to defend Orile Erunmu against the allied Blue Planet forces of Ijebu together with Ife.
Ota together with Ado-Odo
Owu was a major constituent inwards the 1842-45 state of war against Ota together with Ado Odo. It is interesting to Federal Reserve notation that halfway through the war, Sodeke devised a way for the Egba contingent led yesteryear Ayikondu to desert the warfront (see Ajisafe, Iwe Itan Abeokuta, p.73), employing the services of his friend (the enemy), Gezo, the Dahonean state of war leader. As an Awori Ota King, declared inwards 1935, the decision of the state of war of Otal Ado Odo was led yesteryear Gbalefa, the Owu General together with his Owu contingents together with that is how Owu people non solely conquered but occupy the at nowadays Gbalefa Peninsular.
Safeguarding the Crown
Before Orile Erunmu was also devastated together with razed to the ground, The Olowu together with The Oluroko of Erunmu devised strategies to ensure that the majestic lineages together with the Crown inherited from Oduduwa was preserved. The Olowu entrusted the Owu Crown to a warrior, but referred to equally Akogun (Owu's initiative off documented Akogun warrior. Akogun is a championship similar to an Blue Planet forces Defense Chief), Ijaola together with a few of the king's closest aides. When the siege on Erunmu began, Akogun was assigned to the warfront with the promise that he could plough the tides of state of war spell Ijaola was sent on a mandatory majestic assignment to Ibadan with a message for Maye, an Ibadan warlord. Before these 2 Crown trustees left to send out their respective orders, they had to entrust Oni (a skilled together with specialized trader together with farmer, together with also the older stepbrother of Ijaola) with safeguarding of the Crown. Oni together with other men entrusted with the Crown mingled with the refugees that eventually settled inwards Abeokuta. These men had strict instructions non to let on the whereabout of the Crown inwards the absence of the Akogun together with Ijaola, unless they received word of their death.
The Administration of Abeokuta
It is to live understood initiative off together with foremost that the Administration of Abeokuta is based on strict historical factors which clearly spells out areas of authorization of each of the initiative off 4 kings inwards Abeokuta, viz, Olowu,Agura, Osile together with Alake. The largest component division of the reason of Ibadan through Bakatari, Odeda, Osiele to the eastern component division of the old Igbo Egba is occupied to a greater extent than ofttimes than non yesteryear Gbagura. Some of the Gbagura reason which voluntarily declared their allegiance to the Alafin included Awe, Kojoku, Agerige, Aran, Fiditi, Abena, Akinmorin, Doba together with Oroko. If today all these were to live added, Gbagura would live the largest Egba land. Agura is the fundamental Rex over these traditionally Gbagura land.
Egba Oke Ona owns the reason that spreads N of Ona River together with ran along the due east fringes of Remoland together with through Siun/Owode to Abeokuta.
The Egba wood which spreads from the southern component division of Oyo through component division of Oke Ogun downwards to the acquaint Abeokuta ends at Oko Adagba together with includes such independent towns equally Ake, Ijeun, Oba, Igbein, Ijemo, Itoku, Imo, Emere, Kemta, Iro, Igbo, Erunwon, Itesi, Ikopa, Iporo together with many other towns. Most all of them together with their villages have got zeroed-in inwards Abeokuta. The initiative off Alake was installed inwards Abeokuta inwards August 1854. Today, in that location are 10 of them: -
(1) Okukenu 1854- 1862
(2) Ademola I 1869 -1877
(3) Oyekan 1879 -1881
(4) Luwaji 1885 -1888
(5) Sokalu 1891 -1898
(6) Gbadebo I 1898 -1920
(7) Ademola II 1920 -1962
(8) Gbadebo II 1963 -1971
(9) Lipede 1971- 2005
(10) Okukenu (IV) 2005
OWU ADMINISTRATION IN ABEOKUTA
(1) Pawu Apr 1855 -1867
(2) Adefowote 1867 -1872
(3) Aderinoye 1873 -1890
(4) Adepegba 1893 -1905
(5) Owokokade 1906 -1918
(6) DosunmuI 1918 -1924
(7) Adesina 1924 -1936
(8) Gbogboade 1938 -1946
(9) Ajibola 1949 -1972
(10) Oyegbade 1975 -1980
(11) Oyelekan 1987 -1987
(12) Odeleye 1993 -2003
(13) DosunmuII 2005
Paramount Ruler of OwuKingdom, HRM. Oba Dr. Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu. His palace is situated inwards the view of the stone urban center of Abeokuta, Ogun State, together with indeed the Olowu of Owu, (HRM) Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo 2, Akobi Odua is a initiative off degree monarch together with the Paramount Ruler of Owu Kingdom all over the world.
Olowu Council
seven groups constitute the Cabinet of the Olowu who is the paramount Ruler of Owu Kingdom. Listed below with the Olowu equally Chairman constitute The Supreme Cabinet of the Olowu of Owu, which is at nowadays known equally “OLOWU-IN-COUNCIL :" The describe of authorization 1. Balogun 2. Olori Igbimo 3. Olori Omo-Oba 4. Olori Parakoyi 5. Oluroko of Erunmu 6. Balogun Apomu 7. Iyalode."
Owu is ruled yesteryear Princes selected from half dozen ruling houses: Amororo, Otileta, Ayoloye, Akinjobi, Akinoso together with Lagbedu. These kings are assisted yesteryear a meat of chiefs known equally Ogboni together with Ologun. This meat of chiefs is headed yesteryear the Balogun who has nether him Otun, Osi, Seriki, Aare Ago together with Jagunna. Ogboni has equally their head, the Akogun, Obamaja, Orunto, Oyega, Osupori together with Omolasin. Olosi is the Ifa priest of the Olowu. Originally, Owu has 3 townships namely Owu, Erunmu together with Apomu."
In the reign of Oba Odeleye (1993-2003) the bring out of Owu townships expanded to 22 together with this eased the direction for Owu tremendously. By tradition, Olowus were selected yesteryear half dozen kingmakers, but 2 to a greater extent than chieftaincies were added inwards 1964 including Balogun together with Olosi.
Alakosos who at nowadays aid the Oba in
Interregnum
In 1855, the Owus crowned OBA Pawu equally the initiative off Rex Olowu of Owu of the Owus at Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta. Notably, in that location was a 21 twelvemonth interregnum betwixt the settlement of the Owu sojourners inwards Abeokuta together with the crowning of Pawu equally the initiative off Olowu inwards Abeokuta. See yesteryear together with acquaint Olowu of Owu inwards Abeokuta. He reigned for 12 years.
The argue for the interregnum may live attributed to the deterioration of the socio-cultural bond that became evident during the journeying betwixt Orile Owu together with Abeokuta. Hardship had made these Owu families insensitive to each other's welfare. The worst affected were the people of Erunmu because they were fewer. As a termination of their minority status they were marginalized yesteryear other Owu indigenes. Oni the keeper of the Crown was convinced that if he revealed the Crown to a people who had grown insensitive to the needs of their brothers, he would allow despotic dominion to concord sway over the townships of Owu, Erunmu together with Apomu (the Owu kingdom inwards Abeokuta). Over the years, Akogun (the highly ranked soldier) arrived inwards Abeokuta, but he could neither locate Ijaola nor Ijaola's stepbrother, Oni. Also, unknown to the Olowu together with Oluroko, Ijaola returned to Erunmu but had to enshroud on a farm settlement to escape capture. He later on settled inwards Iwo town where in that location was a community of Owu refugees together with began to merchandise inwards commodities together with prisoners of wars. It was inwards the course of study of this merchandise that he re-connected with his stepbrother through some other itinerant Owu merchant who was based inwards Abeokuta. Eventually, all arrangements were made for Ijaola to migrate to Abeokuta where he re-settled the people of Erunmu inwards Ita Erunmu (now called Totoro, after a tree). After Ijaola, Akogun together with Oni consulted with each other, revealed the crown of Oduduwa 21 years after the Owu people initiative off settled inwards Abeokuta.
Owu tribe man, Dr. Wale Babalakin (Born Bolanle Olawale Babalakin) is a Nigerian homo of affairs together with a Lawyer. He is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) together with a recipient of the Nigerian national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR)[2] inwards 2007.
Owu Tribal Mark
The larger Yoruba ethnic grouping are historically known to have got used together with soundless work facial tribal marks to distinguish 1 fellow member of 1 sub-Yoruba tribe from other. It is said that Owus used a unique traditional facial score called "Keke Olowu" to distinguish them from other tribal groups, especially when on state of war expeditions. The Keke or Gombo consists of iv or v perpendicular together with horizontal lines placed angularly on each cheek ; they occupy the whole infinite betwixt the auricle together with the cheek os ; 3 little perpendiculars are also placed on the horizontal lines on both cheeks The Keke-Olowu, an Owu variation of these is similar the Keke or Gombo with the lines discrete or interrupted together with links each ear with the side of the cheeks. It was mutual prior to the later on adoption of the agbaja-olowu.
Abaja Olowu: The Abaja are sets of 3 or iv parallel together with horizontal lines on each cheek ; they may live unmarried or double, each describe beingness from half-an-inch to 1 inch long. The Abaja-Olowu inwards distinction from other abajas has 3 perpendicular etchings plumbing equipment neatly to a higher identify 3 horizontal ones together with are real sparse together with narrow inwards contradistinction from the real bold ones worn yesteryear other tribes. This is farther accentuated with an additional 3 little horizontal etchings on the brow called ‘keeta’.
Furthermore, members of the majestic families would have got an additional 6 markings on the forearm with a farther 3 below the navel.
HRH Olowu of Owu together with Jimi Agbaje
Owu Day Festival (Odun Omo Olowu)
The original work of celebrating Omo Olowu festival is to give thank yous to Olodumare (Almighty God) for supplying all needs. The annual Owu Day festival tradition started inwards 1999 together with has attracted participation yesteryear several Owu indigenes together with people from all over the world. On Oct 9, 2010, the Olowu of Owu Oba Dosunmu publicly declared the instant weekend of the calendar month of Oct equally Owu's populace celebration of the goodness of the Almighty God. This proclamation was made to usher inwards the novel Omo Olowu festival which is to henceforth supersede the previous Owu Day Festival which incidentally had its tenth together with in conclusion outing in conclusion twelvemonth on the tenth twenty-four hours of the tenth month! The debuting Omo Olowu festival (reported inwards owulakoda.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/omo-olowu-festival-kicks-off) also incorporated the ancient traditional New Yam Festival which was dramatically staged yesteryear the Olowu himself, much to the delight, admiration together with applause of the attendant crowd together with dignitaries! The 2010 festival was attended yesteryear Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, old President of Nigeria, Balogun of Owu Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiedome, old Governor together with Field Commander of ECOMOG, Rtd General Tunji Olurin.
Source:http://www.anistor.gr/english/enback/2013_3s_Anistoriton.pdf
http://owulakoda.me/history-and-migrations/
The Owu War
The kingdom beingness at nowadays inwards a disorganized status each tribal unit constituted itself an independent state. The Ifes inwards the east, and the Ijebus inwards the due south formed an alliance against the Owus to the south-west of the old together with N due west of the latter.
The Owus (although at nowadays domiciled with the Egbas) are a household unit of measurement quite distinct from. Egbas or Oyos. Hardihood, stubbornness, immorality, together with haughtiness are marked traits inwards their character, so much so that it has passed into a maxim " Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bi omg I'owu, o ni ako tabi abo ni, ewo ni jdo se omg nibe ? " (a fry is born at Owu, together with yous enquire virile mortal or woman mortal : which volition live a proper fry ?) Either gender activity when roused yesteryear passion would sooner buy the farm than non accept dire revenge. Their manners were totally dissimilar from those of the Oyos, but from the days of Sango they have got been real loyal to the Alafin of Oyo.
As warriors, the Owus were hardy, brave, together with courageous, they had no guns, their weapons consisting of the Agedengbe (a long heavy cutlass) with bows together with arrows. Coming to unopen quarters with cutlass inwards mitt was the mode of fighting characteristic of these brave people.
The effort of the state of war betwixt these 3 families was this : —
We have got already stated to a higher identify that during the reign of King Abiodun, limited orders were sent from Oyo to the Ooni of Ife, together with the Olowu to preclude Oyos beingness kidnapped together with sold at Apomu, the bully marketplace town where the interior together with the coast people met for trade. Now, since the start of the revolution, together with the disorganized province of the kingdom, the practise was revived. The rebellion has rendered the Central Authority powerless, but in that location were soundless some men of considerable powerfulness together with influence inwards the land, such equally Adegun the Onikoyi who was the premier provincial king, Toyejg theBal§ of Ogbomoso the Kakanfo, together with Edun of Gbogun.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 message similar to that sent yesteryear King Abiodun was at nowadays sent yesteryear the Onikoyi together with the Kakanfo conjointly to the Olowu, together with he inwards carrying out his orders had to chastise several towns ; hence Ikoyi Igbo, Apomu, Ikire, Irkn, He Olup^mi, Itahakun, Iseyin Odo, Iwata, Akinboto, Gbkngan, Isope, Iwara, together with Jagun, were
destroyed yesteryear war, all inwards Ife territory.
The Ooni of Ife was highly incensed at this together with declared state of war against Owu. The ascendance of the state of war was entrusted into the hands of his commander-in-chief Singunsin. Other war-chiefs associated with him were : — Okansk, Gbogbo Olu, Wasin, Alodeloko, etc. Their initiative off encampment was at a identify called Dariagbon a farm hamlet of 1 O1upona, side yesteryear side at Sifirin at the confluence of the Osun together with Ohk rivers.
The Ifes idea they would brand an slowly conquest of Owu for they themselves are a brave people, together with hence this state of war vocal inwards their peculiar dialect : —
E maha ja (a) gba, Let us cutting ropes,
Igbekun la mu a di Our captives to bind.
If a Olowu The Olowu's If a (god of palm nut)
Ewa la mu a se With our corn we'll cook.
The Owns received the word that state of war was declared against them with bully indignation. They considered themselves the powerfulness inwards these southern regions, together with what infatuation has led the Ifes to this presumption ? With 1 consent they straightaway marched out to run across them at this bully distance. The appointment was a
mitt to mitt scrap inwards which the Ifes were completely routed ; their Blue Planet forces was all but totally annihilated, solely almost 200 escaped to tell the tale of their dire misfortune !
The King of Iwo, inwards whose territory this disaster took identify did non acknowledge the survivors into his town for fright of incurring the displeasure of his formidable neighbours the Owus, whom he dreaded ar;d of whom he was jealous, but he so far sympathized with them that he advised that they should non undergo the humiliation of returning home, together with he allowed them to rendezvous inwards a identify called Adunbieiye for the work of recruiting their Blue Planet forces together with to endeavour some other chance, secretly hoping that fortune may favour them side yesteryear side time, together with beingness sick at ease with such a formidable neighbor equally the Owus.
This little Blue Planet forces remained inwards this identify for almost 5 years, unable to homecoming domicile from shame, together with yet could non obtain re-inforcement adequate for the bully enterprise.
Just equally this crisis the Owus together with the Ijebu traders had a serious complication at the Apomu market. The dispute arose from the sale of alligator pepper, together with it resulted inwards the rash expedition against Apomu yesteryear the haughty Owus ; the town was destroyed, together with many Ijebu traders together with residents lost their lives or their all.
The Rex of Iwo thereupon advised the Ifes to cast an alliance with the Ijebus, who, similar them, have got at nowadays a grievance against Owu. When this was done, the lies at domicile were at nowadays willing to re-inforce their wrecked Blue Planet forces for a conjoint onset upon Owu. The Ijebus at nowadays declared state of war against Owu, together with crossing the Osun river, encamped at the farm of 1 Oso.
The Ijebus were improve armed than either their allies or their foes, together with indeed, than whatever of the interior tribes, for, beingness nearest to the coast, they had the wages of obtaining guns together with gun- pulverization from Europeans inwards central for slaves. They were remarkable marksmen. The older men with their cloths tied circular their waists, together with the ends left flowing behind, constituted the regular fighting column : beingness too old pr too heavy to run away, they were obliged to live courageous.
The Owns were mad with rage at the receipt of the word that anyone, such equally the Ijebus, had presumed to declare state of war against them who (as they considered themselves) were the initiative off powerfulness inwards these parts (southern Yoruba). They rushed out to depository fiscal establishment check the progress of the Ijebus equally they did that of the Ifes, together with attacked them furiously cutlass inwards hand. But they were compelled to autumn dorsum from the steady burn downwards of the Ijebus which did bully havoc alongside them. Summoning courage, the Owns offered some other obstinate battle, but they were 1 time again repulsed with a heavy slaughter, having lost inwards the initiative off together with instant engagements almost forty of their leaders. This was the initiative off depository fiscal establishment check to their pride.
They rallied, however, together with retreated to a curt distance, together with and so 1 time again ventured upon some other attack, the Ijebus advancing equally they were retreating : they finally met, together with 1 time to a greater extent than fortune was against the Owus, together with they fled precipitately to fortify their urban center against the expected siege.
The Ijebus with their allies the Ifes encamped to the due west of the urban center of Owu, nether a large tree called the Ogilngun, due east of the town of Oje. We may hither remark that although the Egba towns of Of a together with Oje were almost a mile together with 2 miles respectively from Owu, yet so bitter was the animosity betwixt them that non solely did these towns turn down their aid to Owu, but rather rejoiced at its misfortunes !
The Owus fought with their accustomed bravery, together with inwards 1 furious assault, routed the allies, together with pursued them to Oje, Ofa, together with Ibadan. The initiative off 2 places were deserted inwards the full general confusion together with panic, together with all sought refuge at Ibadan. Here the allies received reinforcements from the Egbas, together with from the Oyo refugees from the N whose homes had been devastated yesteryear the Fulanis together with who were at nowadays scattered almost the provinces homeless, together with without occupation. Glad to detect some describe of piece of work inwards arms, these refugees flocked to the measure of the allies inwards numbers ; together with thus strengthened, the state of war was renewed. The siege lasted almost 5 years (usually reckoned equally 7). The urban center was obstinately defended yesteryear the brave inhabitants from the walls, together with from the forts built on the walls of the city. One Skkulk was an skillful precipitous shooter who was never known to missy his aim ; he contributed much to the defense strength of the town. But he was at the same fourth dimension a good-natured man, form together with merciful to his enemies. Whenever he saw a swain hazarding his life too unopen to the forts inwards gild to demonstrate valour, pitying his youth, he used to hail at him from the fort, together with warn him equally follows : — " I give yous your life for to-day, but do non venture hither to-morrow or yous shall die." And he was alw^ays equally goodness equally his word. Thus Sakulk defended the urban center heroically together with killed many a valiant warrior.
At last, the allies held a council of war, together with were determined to larn rid of S^kulk on the side yesteryear side day. The Ijebus, who had guns were the foremost, together with the whole Blue Planet forces directed their burn downwards together with showers of darts at the fort where S^kiila was fighting, all kept shooting at that 1 spot, until they saw Skkiilk fall, suspending
from the fort !
Owu was at nowadays deprived of her bravest defender, together with famine also began its fatal move inside its walls. It was at this fourth dimension the Owns began for the initiative off fourth dimension to consume those large beans called popondo (or awuje) hitherto considered unfit for nutrient ; hence the taunting songs of the allies : —
Popondo I'ara Owu nje. The Owus at nowadays alive on propondo,
Aje f'ajaga bo 'run. That done, their necks for the yoke.
Unto this day, whoever would hum this ditty inside the hearing of an Owu man, must human face out for an accident to his ain person. For all the famine within, the besiegers could neither scale the walls, nor strength the gates open, until Akinjobi the Olowu opened a gate, together with escaped to Erunmu, 1 of the principal towns inwards his
territory. The primary of this identify was 1 Oluroko who was nearly related to the Ow6ni of Ife. Oluroko protected his over- lord. The allies pursued the Olowu to this place, but Oluroko when called upon to answer for his conduct, submitted himself, together with asked for pardon, showing that he could non have got acted
otherwise together with live blameless. ^ The allies saw with him, together with pardon was accordingly granted him.
Ikija was the solely Egba town which befriended the urban center of Owu inwards her straits hence after the autumn of the latter town, the combined armies went to punish her for supplying Owu with provisions during the siege. Being a much smaller town, they shortly made curt move of it. After the devastation of Ikija,^ the allies returned to their old army camp at Idi Ogungun (under the Ogiingun tree) .
"Owu was thenceforth placed nether an interdict, never to live rebuilt ; together with it was resolved that inwards future, yet bully mightiness live the population of Oje — the nearest town to it — the town walls should non extend equally far equally the Ogungun tree, where the army camp was pitched. Consequently to this day, although the reason may live cultivated yet no 1 is allowed to create a business solid on it.
[In the twelvemonth 1873 Akinyemi 1 of the sons of 1 Bolade of Ibadan happened to create a substantial farm business solid at Owu. Latosisk together with so the Kakanfo at Ibadan ordered it to live pulled downwards immediately, together with Akinyemi was fined besides].
After the autumn of Owu together with Ikija, the Blue Planet forces was non disbanded, but the commanders of the Ife together with of the Ijebu armies returned domicile to give an business concern human relationship of the state of war to their respective masters, but the remnants soundless inwards the army camp were continually swelled yesteryear recruits from Oyo refugees whom the Fulanis had rendered homeless.
After a fourth dimension the Ijebus inwards the army camp invited the allies domicile to their province equally friends ; together with so they broke upward the army camp at " Idi Ogungun " together with withdrew to Ipara inwards the south.
It should live noted that the Owu state of war marked a definite catamenia inwards Yoruba history. It was hither for the initiative off fourth dimension gunpowder was used inwards state of war inwards this country, together with it was followed yesteryear the devastation of the Egba townships together with the foundation of modern Abeokuta together with Ibadan, to live related inwards due course.
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