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Alaafin

Alaafin Oyo & Sir Walter Egerton circa 1910 - Colorized
Outermost entrance to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo called "Oju Abata"

Alaafin, or The custodian of the Palace in the Yoruba language, is the title of the king of the medieval Oyo empire[1] and present-day Oyo town of West Africa. It is the particular title of the Oba (king) of the Oyo.[2] It is sometimes translated as "emperor" in the context of ruler of empire. He ruled the old Oyo Empire, which extended from the present-day Benin republic to Nigeria, originating from states in the South East and West to the North. The people under him are called Yoruba people and spoke the Yoruba Language.

The Alaafin of Oyo in Yoruba mythology and history is said to be one of Oduduwa seven grandsons who later became Kings, forming the bedrock of the Yoruba Civilization.[1]

The Alafin and the Oyo Mesi formed the central government of the Empire. Local provincial government was in the hands of oba (if crowned head) or bale (if not entitled to wear a crown).[3] The relationship between the Alafin and the Obas was a feudal one, that is for his rule and protection, the Obas, the Bales and chiefs of vassal states owed him certain obligations.[4] By the early 1800s, however, conflicts between the Oyo emperor (alafin) and the hereditary kings (obas) of the core city-states, who comprised an independent executive council (oyo mesi), had considerably weakened cen- tral authority-even as the Oyo Empire began to lose control over outlying kingdoms and city-states.[5]

The title was retained after the fall of the Oyo Empire as the official title of the ceremonial ruler of the contemporary natives of Oyo, Nigeria. The Alaafin is the political head of the Yoruba people and the only monarch with the pre-requisite power to appoint a chieftain representing the entire Yorubaland.[6] Examples of such appointments include Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Iyalode of Yorubaland.

As of 2021 the Alaafin (Emperor) of Oyo was Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III who was the 45th Alaafin,[7] celebrated his 50th year on the throne.[8] Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin (Emperor) of Oyo was the permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs until his death on Friday, 22 April 2022.[9] The style used for Alaafins is Imperial Majesty.[10]

  1. ^ a b David D. Laitin (1986). Hegemony and Culture: Politics and Change Among the Yoruba. University of Chicago Press. p. 113. ISBN 9780226467900.
  2. ^ Jr, Everett Jenkins (2015-07-11). Pan-African Chronology II: A Comprehensive Reference to the Black Quest for Freedom in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia, 1865-1915. McFarland. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4766-0886-0.
  3. ^ Nigerian Forum. Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. 2005. p. 344.
  4. ^ Ezenwaji, Ifeyinwa U. (2002). Traditional Administrative System in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Nigerian Societies. Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. p. 154. ISBN 978-978-2409-41-6.
  5. ^ Khapoya, Vincent (2015-07-14). The African Experience. Routledge. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-317-34358-5.
  6. ^ "No comparison between Alaafin, Aare Ona Kakanfo chiefs". Vanguard Newspaper.
  7. ^ Adebayo, Musliudeen (2022-04-24). "45th Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi has joined his ancestors at Bara - Palace source". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  8. ^ "Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi: 50 Years on – Thisdaylive".
  9. ^ "Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is dead - Premium Times Nigeria". 23 April 2022.
  10. ^ "ALAAFIN OF OYO – This is the website for the Alaafin of Oyo". Retrieved 2023-03-04. Welcome to the website of His Imperial Majesty, The Alaafin of Oyo, The Head and Paramount Ruler of the Yorubas.

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