Home News OYO 101: Who’ll Rescue Igbo Oba From Extinction? | Muftau Gbadegesin

OYO 101: Who’ll Rescue Igbo Oba From Extinction? | Muftau Gbadegesin

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“After Alaafin Atiba’s foundation of a new capital at Ago d’Oyo, the third Oyo”, writes Robert Smith in a 1965 Journal article entitled Alaafin in Exile: A study of Igboho period in Oyo history “messengers were sent from Igboho to try to persuade Atiba to return to Oyo-ile. This was prompted by strange occurrences at Igboho which were regarded as of evil omen: according to an informant there, ‘pigs had intercourse with goats, ducks with hens, sheep with dogs’.

This mysterious occurrences would later spawn Alaafin to send an emissary who will see to the atonement, propitiation and rituals of the forest and eventual end to that verboten. The emissary’s name was and is up till today: Aare. That forest, known as Igbo Oba, remains a place of historical repute, a place that has its command and authority under the chieftaincy title of the Aare family. The forest apart from its historical and symbolic significance incidentally houses the remain of the four Alaafin of which three ruled and reigned in Oyo Igboho.

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In his contentious History of the Yorubas, Reverend Samuel Johnson reported that Alaafin Eguguoju, the son of Alaafin Ofinran was the first to rule in Oyo Igboho, that’s about 1555, followed by Alaafin Orompoto, the only female to ever ascend the throne of Alaafin, then Ajiboyede, who Johnson described as the most successful yet a tyrant King. Then finally, Abipa, the Alaafin who removed the seat of government back to the ancient capital. Alaafin Abipa, was nicknamed “Oba M’oro” (the ghost catcher) “for ordering a semi-state funeral for ‘Ologbo’, the king’s adviser who was poisoned and had his body wrapped in ass’s skin to be taken to Oyo for internment”.

Safe for Ofinran who never ruled in Igboho because he died before the encampment at ‘Kusu’ after they were pursued by the Tapa (Nupe) but was buried in Igboho; then Abipa who removed the seat of power from Igboho, the total number of Alaafin buried in Igbo Oba are four and their grooves are intact till today. Archeologists, historians, researchers and cultural enthusiasts have made that royal forest a place to visit in search of the Old Oyo empire relics. Surprisingly, most left in astonishment and wonderment as they come to term with centuries old monuments.

When George IV died in 1830, he was buried in St George chapel Windsor castle, and by 1901, Queen Victoria joined her ancestors and was laid to rest at Frogmore, Windsor. Edward VIII and George V died in 1910 and 1936 respectively and were interred at St George’s chapel, Windsor castle. By 1952, George VI was buried also at St George’s chapel Windsor castle. In other words, the royal Forest in Igboho, and Windsor in England can be placed side by side in terms of historical relevance and symbolic gesture which is that: both serve as the burial grounds for their respective late Kings albeit that of ‘Igbo Oba’ only served Kings who ruled around 15th.

This comparison becomes essential in few of the similarities between the two and their obvious differences. While Windsor, according to Wikipedia “has been the scene of many royal services, weddings and, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, burials”. ‘Igbo Oba’ in a similar vein continue to bask in its old glory. Abandoned by authority, the forest has become a shadow of itself. The perilous state of that forest is a sad reminder of how our tangible and intangible cultural heritage have been made to wither and fade into oblivion. The effect of people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, Marcus Garvey opined “is like a tree without roots”.

This root must have prompted Governor Seyi Makinde to vowed never to pay lip service to the development of the tourism sector saying such can earn the state enough revenue to sustain and augment dwindling National budget that has been affected by pandemic. The Governor was quoted to have speak on the 27th of September, 2020, world tourism day, through his commissioner for Information, culture and tourism. Months after that statement and the subsequent visitation of Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun to ‘Igbo Oba’, nothing tangible has been done to facelift that site. And as it stands, the fencing project of that forest which started in the ’90s has not feel the presence of successive Governments. This neglect apparently has made the forest vulnerable to unscrupulous elements who now hunt for bats, cart away logs and turn it to a dumping site.

Though affected by climate change, the improper management of that forest has created more problem that must be addressed urgently before the remaining relics found it way into the hands of cultural pirates. This is even so considering the efforts made by the late Aare Ismail Oyebisi who ensured strict compliance to the sanctity and sanity of the place. During his time as the Aare, the forest though lacking Government support blossom and became a sort of mythical forest that was reminiscent of its good old days. Aare Oyebisi was a man who knew the forest’s apron strings is tied to his lineage, background and chieftaincy. He restored the forest long-standing reputation.

Ultimately, the one size fit all approach to this phenomenon will not work. As it is for ‘Igbo Oba’, so it is for other historical sites in the state. And at this juncture, Government must graduate from the usual talk and get to work. This can only be achieved through collaborative work with stakeholders; because the task of repositioning ‘Igbo Oba’ back to its place of repute goes beyond what Government alone can handle. And if we must reclaim our cultural touchstone, the time is now.

OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.

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