THE RISE AND FALL OF THE OYO EMPIRE: THE GREAT AFRICAN KINGDOM
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE OYO EMPIRE
An important Yoruba empire, known as the Old Oyo Empire, once encompassed parts of what are now the countries of Benin and Western Nigeria. It flourished as a result of the remarkable organizational and administrative abilities possessed by the Yoruba people. Trade and the strength of its cavalry were the sources of its wealth. From the middle of the seventh century to the middle of the 18th century, it was one of the most influential and powerful political states throughout the entirety of West Africa.
It has power not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yoruba country, but also over the neighboring African states, especially the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey, which is in what is now the Republic of Benin.
Oranmiyan, the last Prince of Oduduwa, is largely credited with being the impetus behind the rise of the Old Oyo Empire. He was the very last child to be born in the Yoruba kingdom of Ile Ife. Going back in history a bit, it is stated that Oduduwa is where the Yoruba people first came from. Oranmiyan, the final prince of Oduduwa and the ancestral father of the Old Oyo kingdom, is said to have been born to OKANBI, the only son Oduduwa is said to have had. OKANBI, on the other hand, is said to have had seven children, one of whom grew up to be Oranmiyan.
(1600-1896). Oyo-Ile served as the location of the headquarters for the Old Oyo Empire between the years 1300 and 1535. People living in the Old Oyo Empire spoke Yoruba as their primary language, and the three major world religions—Traditional religion, Christianity, and Islam—served as their primary sources of spiritual guidance. Alaafin Oranmiyan, Oba Adeyemi Alowoloda 1, was the monarch that ruled over the Empire.
Both the Oyo-Mesi and the Ogboni served as checks on the activities of the Alaafin during the time of the Old Oyo Empire, which was ruled by a powerful legislative government. Its landmass covered a total area of 150,000 km2, which is equivalent to 58,000 square miles. You can’t talk about the history of the Old Oyo empire without talking about how the legend says it all started.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE OYO EMPIRE: MYTHICAL ORIGIN
As was said previously, the Old Oyo Empire is said to have originated with Oranmiyan, who was the last prince of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife. This is where the legendary origin of the empire is said to lie. In retaliation, Oranmiyan and his brothers launched an assault on their neighbors in retaliation for the insults directed at their father, Oduduwa, the first Ooni of Ife.
The insults were a result of Oduduwa’s position as the first Ooni of Ife. However, during the course of the attack, they got into a fight with one another, which resulted in the division of their armies.
So, in order to find Bussa, Oranmiyan had to go through parts of the southern coast where no one lived. When he was in Bussa, the local chief amused him and his army and subsequently gave him a big snake that had a magical charm fastened around its neck.
Oranmiyan was given the directive by the chief to follow the snake no matter where it went or where it stopped. After showing him where to go, the snake stayed there for seven days before going away.
As a result, this was the location where Oranmiyan established the city of Oyo, and after that, he established a new kingdom there. After that, he became the first “Oba,” which means king or paramount ruler, and was given the title “Alaafin of Oyo.”
NOTABLE PERIODS OF THE OLD OYO EMPIRE
The following are notable periods of the old Oyo empire;
- The Early Period (from the 12th to the 15th century): During this time period, Oranmiyan, who was the first king, was followed on the throne by Oba Ajaka. However, Oba Ajaka was ultimately removed from power because of a lack of Yoruba military virtue. Ajaka’s brother, who was known as “Sango,” eventually became the god of thunder and lightning. He was given the responsibility of leading the people. Later on, once Sango had passed away, Ajaka was reinstated as king, but this time around, his rule was more repressive and bellicose.
- The Imperial Era: Following their defeat at the hands of the Nupe, the Yoruba of Oyo withdrew into exile and suffered through an interregnum that lasted for eighty years during this period. In later years, they re-established Oyo as a government that was both more centralized and wide, eventually covering a massive empire. The Old Oyo Empire became the most populated kingdom in Yoruba history as a result of its enormous territorial expansion and growth.
- ZENITH ERA: By the year 1680, the Oyo Empire covered an area that was greater than 400,000 square miles. During the 18th century, it attained its greatest level of dominance. It was mutual self-interest that kept the group together.
- DECLINE ERA: The dynastic revolution that was promoted by the Oyo Prime Minister ‘Gaha’ at the beginning of 1754 marked the beginning of the decline of the Oyo empire. Gaha, in his ambition for full power, connived with the Oyo-Mesi and the Ogboni to coerce four consecutive Alaafins into committing ritual suicide after being given the symbolic parrot’s egg. This was done as part of Gaha’s plan to gain absolute control of the Alaafin throne.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EMPIRE
The old Oyo empire started a period of expansion beginning around the year 1650 and continuing until it extended its dominion over the majority of the villages located between Benin and the Niger River in the east and the Volta River in the west. After Oyo’s military conquest of Dahomey, which took place in two stages, the empire reached its zenith in 1748, which was also the year that Dahomey was finally conquered (1724–30 and 1738–48). After that, the empire started doing business with European merchants near the port of Ajase (now called Porto-Novo).
The rise in wealth was a contributing factor in the disagreements that occurred amongst the political leaders. During the reign of Alaafin Abiodun, there was a bloody civil war that took place. After he triumphed over his opponents, Alaafin Abiodun adopted a policy of economic expansion that was predominately centered on the trade with European merchants along the coast. Because of his singular concentration on the economy, the military was both weakened and ignored, which ultimately led to the weakening of the central government.
During the time of colonial rule, the Yoruba were one of the most urbanized groups in Africa.
More than half of the population lived in cities, and about 22% of the total population lived in large cities or towns with populations of more than 100,000. Former Protectorate states like Ibadan, Osogbo, and Ogbomoso were able to flourish and develop as separate entities after the fall of the Old Oyo Empire. This was made possible by the collapse of the Old Oyo Empire.