Orompoto was, according to oral traditions, the first and only female Alaafin of Oyo. She was the sister of her predecessor, Eguguojo. She assumed the throne in 1554 because there was no male successor from her elder brother at the time.
#Thread #Oyo #Yoruba
#Thread #Oyo #Yoruba
Legend has it that she cut off her breasts (mastectomy) and put on men's clothing to look like a man and for the Oyo Mesi to accept her as Alaafin.
In 1557, Alaafin Orompoto strengthened Oyo's military might. She imported horses from as far as Timbuktu in Mali and had over...
In 1557, Alaafin Orompoto strengthened Oyo's military might. She imported horses from as far as Timbuktu in Mali and had over...
...1000 horsemen. She did tie leaves on the horses' tails so that when they went a fighting, the leaves swept the ground after them to cover trails of the horses' prints.
Orompoto was a skillful commander and a tactical leader. She was brave and won many battles against the Nupe and the Borgu. During her reign, Oyo regained its military prestige and was feared across the south of Niger. She died in the battle of Ilayi around 1580. #HistoryVille
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