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Let me take you 767 years aback when snakes were still kept as pets in the 13th century Oyo Kingdom.
Around the year 1252, Basorun Erindinlogunagbonkosedaniifa, the head of the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers), approached Alaafin Ajaka and advised him to step down. #Thread
Around the year 1252, Basorun Erindinlogunagbonkosedaniifa, the head of the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers), approached Alaafin Ajaka and advised him to step down. #Thread
As, according to him, he was too gentle to be an Alaafin of Oyo.
Unsurprisingly, the gentle king acceded to the request. Unlike his father and predecessor, Alaafin Oranmiyan, Ajaka was of a peaceful disposition who loved animal husbandry and encouraged it among the Oyo people.
Unsurprisingly, the gentle king acceded to the request. Unlike his father and predecessor, Alaafin Oranmiyan, Ajaka was of a peaceful disposition who loved animal husbandry and encouraged it among the Oyo people.
Ajaka hated wars and avoided it with other kingdoms. In fact, he was paying tribute to his uncle Olowu and was seen as weak by the Oyo Mesi. Therefore, it was not startling that he stepped down.
As a result, Ajaka relocated to Igboho where he remained in retirement until 1259.
As a result, Ajaka relocated to Igboho where he remained in retirement until 1259.
So, what happened in Oyo during Ajaka’s seven-year hibernation at Igboho?
Still in 1252, at the capital, Oko, the Basorun and the kingmakers looked pleased as they replaced Ajaka with his fearless and violent step-brother, Sango.
The Alaafin had a habit of emitting fire and...
Still in 1252, at the capital, Oko, the Basorun and the kingmakers looked pleased as they replaced Ajaka with his fearless and violent step-brother, Sango.
The Alaafin had a habit of emitting fire and...
...smoke from his mouth. His mother was the daughter of Elempe, a Nupe king, who formed an alliance with Oranmiyan by giving him his daughter to wife.
Thus, Sango was half-Nupe, half-Oyo. The new Alaafin never grew up to know his mother as she died when he was still a baby.
Thus, Sango was half-Nupe, half-Oyo. The new Alaafin never grew up to know his mother as she died when he was still a baby.
But like Rehoboam, Sango’s finger was thicker than his father’s waist.
The kingmakers who had coveted him to be the Alaafin because of his wild, warlike disposition and a fiery temper to destroy his enemies, did not know what was in store for them.
The kingmakers who had coveted him to be the Alaafin because of his wild, warlike disposition and a fiery temper to destroy his enemies, did not know what was in store for them.
His first act was to resist the Olowu who took advantage of Sango’s youth by demanding tribute. But the fiery king refused and Olowu besieged Oko.
But with volumes of smoke coming out of his mouth and nostrils, the Olowu and his army became terrified and were completely routed.
But with volumes of smoke coming out of his mouth and nostrils, the Olowu and his army became terrified and were completely routed.
Therefore, with his fresh victory and other subsequent victories, Sango firmly established himself on the throne. He was therefore too joyous and became tyrannical.
With his smoke, fire, and lightning, he greatly increased the dread his subjects had of him.
With his smoke, fire, and lightning, he greatly increased the dread his subjects had of him.
His next move changed the face of the Oyo Kingdom for the next 300 years.
You want to know this next move? I shall tell you tomorrow, by God’s Grace.
Photo Credit: Frobenius-Institut
You want to know this next move? I shall tell you tomorrow, by God’s Grace.
Photo Credit: Frobenius-Institut
