Press "Enter" to skip to content

Top African King, Alaafin Adeyemi Joins His Ancestors

Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, died in the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria, in the late hours of Friday, 22nd of April, 2022. The Iku Baba Yeye’s demise was confirmed by sources from the highly revered monarch’s Ancient Palace.

The Oyo Kingdom, like other Yoruba empires in West Africa’s southern coastal region, is ruled by the Yoruba people (modern Nigeria). The ruler of the historic Oyo empire and present-day Oyo town in West Africa is known as Alaafin, meaning The Owner of the Palace in Yoruba. In Yoruba mythology and history, the Alaafin of Oyo is claimed to be one of Oduduwa’s seven grandchildren who later became Kings, establishing the Yoruba Civilization’s cornerstone.

The Oyo capital, Oyo-ile, was abandoned to the Nupe from across the Niger under the reign of Alafin Onigbogi, most likely in the early sixteenth century. It was only after a three-quarter-century exile that it was reclaimed. During their exile, the Alafin established new capitals in the marches of Borgu and Yorubaland, eventually settling in Oyo-Igboho.

Map of Oyo Empire
Rollebon (CC BY-SA)

Military victories against the Borgu and Nupe were achieved under Orompoto (perhaps a woman) and Ajiboyede, while the Alafin’s internal power was firmly asserted during Abipa. The time appears to have been marked by both military and constitutional reform, and the Oyo’s morale was bolstered by the adoption of new religious practices.

Image: The first female Alafin of Oyo was Alafin Ajiun Orompotoniyun. A valiant and astute female king who fought and won many deadly wars, ultimately dying for her own people.

The Oyo were able to return to their previous capital under Abipa, and the kingdom began to flourish under consecutive reigns, eventually becoming the most powerful of the Guinea States. It’s thought that Oyo-ile was abandoned in 1535, Igboho was founded around 1555, and Oyo-ile was reoccupied around 1610.

An architectural masterpiece of the Oyo Empire.

he title was kept as the official title of the ceremonial ruler of the current people of Oyo, Nigeria, after the fall of the Oyo Empire. The Alaafin is the Yoruba people’s political leader and the only monarch with the authority to designate a chieftain to represent Yorubaland as a whole. Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Iyalode of Yorubaland are two examples of such appointments.

Alaafin Adeyemi III (1938-2022)

On October 15, 1938, Alaafin Adeyemi III was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi into the Alowolodu Royal House, and as a member of the House of Oranmiyan to Raji Adeniran Adeyemi (born 1871), who eventually became Alaafin in 1945, and Ibironke of Epo-Gingin.

His Imperial Majesty The Alaafin Of Oyo’s 1971 coronation by John Howard Sanden (commissioned by Late Chief Dehinde Fernandez).
Painting (Oil on Canvas) || Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (born 15 October 1938 – 23 April 2022) is the Alaafin of the Yoruba state of Oyo.

After the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Kaabiesi Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II as governor in 1970, at the age of 35. General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, the head of state at the time, took Oba Adeyemi with him to the hajj in 1975. From 1980 to 1992, he served as the chancellor of Sokoto’s Uthman dan Fodiyo University. In acknowledgment of his contribution to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria, President Ibrahim Babangida designated him Amir-ul-Hajj in 1990.The late king’s passion for boxing, which he had publicly demonstrated, was one of his most prominent characteristics. Prior to reaching the throne, he was claimed to be a boxer.

In the early hours of Saturday, the remains of the senior Yoruba traditional ruler were taken to Oyo town, 62 kilometers from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and traditional rites began, according to palace sources.

Oba Adeyemi had 11 wives before his death, the most senior of them was Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi, and he generally attended most ceremonies with her or one of the 12 subordinate wives.

Alaafin Adeyemi III (middle) with some of his wives.

Among his other spouses are: Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi, Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi, Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi, Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi, Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi, Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi, Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi, Ayaba Moji Adeyemi, Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, and Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi. Alafin is survived by a family of over 20 children and grandchildren.

What’s the next step?

High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, is anticipated to take over the operations of the Alaafin of Oyo’s palace awaiting the appointment of a new Alaafin.

Basorun has traditionally had the last word in Alaafin nominations. The Oyo empire was a monarchical government, according to history, with Alaafin as the King.

The balance of power is maintained by an administrative council and governing body made up of chiefs (Oyomesi). Oyomesi’s members were commanded by a prime minister named Basorun, who had the power to order the king’s suicide by sending him a calabash containing parrot’s eggs.

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Mission News Theme by Compete Themes.