10 key facts about Oyo Royal History, from the mythical foundations to its enduring modern legacy
History African@africanhistory
7 days ago
1. Mythical Origin Tied to Oduduwa & Ife
According to tradition, the first Alaafin (king) of Oyo was Oranmiyan, a son or grandson of Oduduwa, the progenitor-king of Ile-Ife. Oranmiyan left Ife to found a new dynasty, first ruling at Oyo-Ile (Old Oyo). This establishes Oyo’s royal legitimacy within the broader Yoruba sacred kingship system.
2. The Title “Alaafin” Means “Owner of the Palace”
The title Alaafin (Aláàfin) translates directly to “the one who owns the palace” or “master of the palace.” It reflects the king’s absolute authority within the royal compound and the kingdom.
3. The Oyomesi – A Powerful Council of Checks and Balances
The Alaafin did not rule alone. He was counseled (and could be checked) by the Oyomesi, a council of seven (later eight) high chiefs led by the Basorun. This council had the authority to reject a candidate for the throne and, in extreme cases, could demand the Alaafin’s suicide by presenting him with an empty calabash or parrot eggs.
4. The Aremo System – The “Crown Prince Who Never Succeeded”
A unique and controversial custom was the Aremo system. The Alaafin’s eldest surviving son, the Aremo, was titled and wealthy but was expected to die by suicide upon his father’s death. This prevented dynastic rivalries but also ensured a tragic end for each crown prince.
5. Imperial Military Might: The Eso and the Are-Ona-Kakanfo
At its peak, the Oyo Empire’s power rested on its cavalry. The empire’s commander-in-chief was the Are-Ona-Kakanfo, a military title held by a field marshal who lived outside the capital. To prevent coups, the Kakanfo was required to die in battle—he could not retreat and could not return to the capital victorious if his army was destroyed.
6. The Empire’s Vast Reach
By the 18th century, the Oyo Empire was one of the largest states in West Africa, extending its influence from present-day southwestern Nigeria into parts of modern Republic of Benin and Togo. It exacted tribute from kingdoms like Dahomey.
7. The Collapse Began with Internal Revolt
The empire’s downfall in the early 19th century was triggered by a key internal rebellion: the Afonja revolt in Ilorin (c. 1817). Afonja, a Kakanfo, allied with Fulani jihadists, leading to the loss of Ilorin and the destabilization of the empire’s northern provinces.
8. The Abandonment of Oyo-Ile (Old Oyo)
Following attacks from the Nupe and Fulani, the capital Oyo-Ile (Katunga) was abandoned around the 1830s. The royal court relocated south to present-day Oyo Town (Ago d’Oyo), which remains the seat of the Alaafin to this day.
9. British Colonial Recognition of the Alaafin
During the colonial era, the British governed indirectly through “Native Authorities.” The Alaafin of Oyo was recognized as the paramount traditional ruler for much of Oyo Province, granting the office renewed administrative and political influence in the 20th century.
10. Modern Legacy & the Alaafin Adeyemi Dynasty
The modern Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (r. 1970–2022), was a direct descendant of the 19th-century Alaafin Atiba, who refounded New Oyo. Adeyemi III, a highly educated and outspoken monarch, became a central figure in Nigerian traditional politics and a living symbol of Oyo’s enduring royal heritage for over five decades.
