Thread by @tyewoolove

ONÍRÈSÉ

Oyo state was known as OYO-ILE which historians referred to as old Oyo Empire.

That was during the era when Aláàfin had the autonomous power.

There was an absolute power endowed to the Aláàfin all over Yorùbá kingdom.

The powers can only be

Checked by the Oyomesi for the purpose of CHECK and BALANCE.

Infact,there was one Aláàfin who ordered for the head of his father-in-law.

Simply because his wife challenged his authority while bathing the Aláàfin in the bathroom. ( You can grab a copy of

Bashorun Gaa to see full story).

Behind the Aláàfin Oyo's palace in the ancient days were rows of stalls where wood and calabash carvers knowns as ONÍRÈSÉ engaged in their craft work.

ONÍRÈSÉ literally means calabash carvers.

But among these carvers,one was nicknamed ONÍRÈSÉ. He was a divinely gifted carver.

During his birth,the parents consulted an Ifa priest.

The Ifa priest informed his parent that the new born baby will be a great leader and one day,he will find

Himself in a strange land across the ocean amongst the white people.

But he must not engage in any work than the carving business.

His kinsmen were not surprised with the caliber of people that were partronising ONÍRÈSÉ as he was growing in the carving

Business.

The Aláàfin,his chiefs,kings from neighbouring towns and all idols worshippers were all customer to this young man.

His work was second to none.

One day,some european who had come to Oyo for tourism and to study monarchical system

Of the Oyo Empire stumbled on the stall of ONÍRÈSÉ and they were completely amazed by the excellent craft works done by him.

After said and done, ONÍRÈSÉ found himself in an exhibition in Switzerland.

Where his work became the best amongst others.

ONÍRÈSÉ spent 13 years touring different part of Europe with the help of an European lady.

Who had become his close associate after tying the knot with this lady after an exhibition in a small town in Sweden.

ONÍRÈSÉ decided to return home with his bride

For proper African traditional wedding.

The entire Oyo township and its enivron were filled to the brim with people who had come to witness this very rare marriage.

It was a showcase of pure African tradition and the Europeans that witnessed the

Occasion were fully entertained.

After the wedding rites,the Aláàfin bestowed the title of BAALE IRÈSÉ to ONÍRÈSÉ for the great honor he brought to Oyo kingdom.

With the new title and responsibility,the Aláàfin believed that the white woman would not

Take the great man back to her strange land again.

At this period back home, ONÍRÈSÉ desisted from making calabash again,

Rather he focused on other lucrative business and
the governing of his little area.

His old customers who were highly all over

Yorùbá kingdom approached him to make calabash for them but he refused bluntly.

Encouraging them to partronize his kinsmen who are still into the business.

This attitude annoyed some prominent chiefs in Oyo and they reported him to the Aláàfin.

Saying the man had become so arrogant and disrespectful.

They wanted Aláàfin to give him marching order to continue with the carving skill.

The Aláàfin in his wisdom replied thus;

"Eyin Oyomesi,Bí ONÍRÈSÉ BÁ KÓ TÓ LÓHUN Ò FÍN'GBÁ MÓ,ÉYÍ TÓ FÍN SÍLÉ

KÓ LE PARUN LAELAE"

Meaning; The people of Oyomesi, if ONÍRÈSÉ desist from making calabash again,the ones he had made in the past can never perish.

This is the story that led to the proverb of "Bi ONÍRÈSÉ BÁ KÓ TÓ LÓHUN Ò FÍN'GBÁ MÓ ÉYÍ TÓ FÍN SÍLÉ KÓ LE PARUN LAELAE".

IRESE Omo woora,
Woora loja koma ba ragba kigba igba igba ni keke é so.

Story credit; Johnson Okunade.

Stay tuned for more amazing stories.

Èmi ni Bólánlé oní story 🖋️.