In their bid to rescue Alaafin Ajaka, the Oyomesi (Oyo’s council of chiefs), sent for Sàngó in Nupe land where he had lived. The empire of which she ruled is located in what is modern day western and north-central Nigeria. Alaafin Atiba shared their determination and resuscitated old titles and bestowed them on the rulers of the new towns. He governed in conjuction with a council of state known as Oyo Mesi (I will write on that later on). I … In the actual working of the government, however, the Alaafin was an absolute monarch. History. The drums will roll out on Thursday January 14 on the golden anniversary of the coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Igba Keji Orisa, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (82). Eric Teniola digs into history as the Alaafin of Oyo celebrates the golden anniversary of his coronation. Since the 1900 political absorption of the kingdom in Northern Nigeria, the traditional monarchy was either a tool of British indirect rule or legally irrelevant within the republic. The role and scope of Oyo's impact in establishing a Yoruba identity and consciousness among the Yoruba has continued to resonate The Alaafin was the master of the realm spreading from the Savannah and as far afield as modern Benin and Togo Republics in the West African sub-region. She became the first woman to become "king" of the Oyo in the imperial era, and the first woman since the pre-imperial ruler Yeyeori. Alaafin Ajiun Orompotoniyun, simply called Orompoto, was the first and only female Alaafin of Oyo. Orompoto was the sister of her predecessor, Eguguojo. They were a ruler's principal advisors and sacred officiants, and also served a variety of judicial and administrative functions in his realm. No emperor, or Alaafin of Oyo, was capable of being enstooled in the capital without the prior consent of and performance of rituals by these seven titleholders. c.1210– ORANYAN (Oranmiyan) Oyo-Ile … Olowu later sent his warriors to capture Alaafin Ajaka and bring him to Owu. During the reign of Alaafin Ajaka, Oyo was under a regular treat of war from Olowu, Ajaka’s cousin; who rules Owu Kingdom. These leaders saw their mission as continuing the war of resistance against the Fulani until the last were completely driven out of Yorubaland. The Oyo Mesi developed as a check on the Alaafin's power, preventing the Alaafin from being an autocrat; they compelled many Alaafins to commit suicide during the 17th and 18th centuries. The drums will roll out on Thursday January 14 on the golden anniversary of the coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Igba Keji Orisa, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (82). Orompoto (also spelled Oronpoto) was a female Alaafin of Oyo, a Yoruba empire. In Oyo, the Oba is referred to as the Alaafin. The presence of the ancient and powerful Kingdom (and later Empire) of Oyo under the direction of the Alaafin of Oyo in the geographical zone now described as Southwestern Nigeria was one of the most significant characteristics of Yorubaland. Alaafin of Oyo, LAMIDI ADEYEMI. The Oyo Mesi was made up of the most powerful noblemen in imperial Oyo. [32] The head of the council of Oyo Mesi, the Bashorun, consulted the Ifa oracle prior to the royal succession for approval from the gods. The drums will … Alaafin Atiba founded New Oyo (Ago-Oja) in 1837. She ruled the Oyo empire in the 16th century, speculatively from 1554 to 1562. Below are the kings who had ruled one of the greatest empire in history. Oyo also gave a major identity to Yorubaland. 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