A Brief History of Ogbomosoland
Ogbomoso in 1891 was a walled city, the gates of
which were closely watched by day and securely closed by
night. There was little or no communication between it and
Oyo and Ilorin which were only thirty miles to the north and south. The
town, pictureque and well watered was isolated from the rest
of the Yoruba towns. Political relations were maintained
with the Ibadans, for the country depended on its security
on the warriors of Ogbomoso and Ikirun... The strength of
Ogbomoso lay in the wall and moat surrounding the town, and
the warriors made full use of it by sitting close and
tight.. - Rev.
S. G. Pinnock was pioneer Baptist Missionary who recorded
his travel in The Romance of Missions in Nigeria
A BRIEF HISTORY OF OGBOMOSO
Ogunlola was of Ibariba descent. He came to the area now known as
Ogbomoso in pursuit of his hunting profession. He stayed
under ajagbon tree (still by the side of the palace) and
used the branches for hanging gears. The whole place was at
this time (around the middle of the seventeenth century), a
dense jungle. He Ogunlola was an expert archer and brave
hunter. Later he and his wife, Esuu, built their hut by the
side of the ajagbon tree.
Ogunlola noticed smoke oozing from
some nearby locations. He took courage and approached these
places and discovered other hunters. The first one named
Aale at a site now called Oke-Elerin quarters, the second
called Onsile at the site now known as Ijeru quarters, the
third Orisatolu at Isapa quarters and the fourth Akande
quarters. The descendants of the first three of these
hunters are still today the Bales of Oke-elerin, Ijeru and
Isapa quarters respectively. There is no more Bale Akandie.
Lorungbekun
was a very fierce man. Esuu feared what might be her fate
whenever she offended her husband; particularly when there
was no one near their hut to act as check on him. She
therefore designed a mound near the hut and by consensus
they decided that whenever Ogunlola wanted to beat up Esuu,
if she could escape and embrace the mound, whatever the
nature of the offence, he must spare her.
This mound is
named Lorungbekun (Olorun-gbo-Ekun) and is still within the
Abata enclosure in the palace. The term of the agreement is
Egbe Alongo (Alongo Society)
Ogunlola, after the discovery of these hunters, took the initiative
to invite them to form the Alongo Society. The Primary
objectives of the society were:
- Defence against Sunmoni (slave prowler) raids
- Group hunting of wild animals, and
- Mutual assistance.
At the take off of the society. Ogunlola was, made the chairman.
After each day’s hunting, they retired to Ogunlola’s hut
where they were treated to beans and other meals and were
served with sekete wine brewed by Ogunlola’s wife from
fermented guinea corn. They also engaged in discussing
current affairs and planning.
Later, other settlers came and built their thus and huts formed the
nucleus of a small village. Ogunlola‘s hut became the place
for setting disputes and other matters. He, Ogulola had the
final say. The groups of huts being on the north-south
highway from Oyo-ile became popular as aroje (a place to
stop for refreshment and other ‘knick-knack’ by travellers.
ORISAPOPOEsuu, the wife of Ogunlola introduced the worship of Orisapopon to
Ogbomoso. This object of worship is the same as Orisala and
is worshipped in different towns under different names. The
worshippers are distinguished by white beads worn round
their necks and wearing only white dresses. Drinking of
palmwine is forbidden to them. The mane orisapopo was
probably derived from the fact that Ogunlola’s hut was on
the north-south route therefore the Orisala being worshipped
in the hut was name “Orisapopo” (idol by the highway).
The importance and influence of ‘Orisapopo’ among the citizens of
Ogbomoso is immense. It can be described as the patron
“Orisa” of Ogbomoso.
HOW OGUNLOLA’S SETTLLEMENT BECAME OGBOMOSO AND OGUNLOLA
BECAME SOUN
During the time the Ibaribas under the leadership of Elemoso
attacked Oyo-Ile near Ilorin, Ogunlola was already in detention there, awaiting
trial for an alleged offence. Elemooso caused a devastating
havoc among Oyo’s so much that they feared him in battle.
Elemoso consequently laid total siege on Oyo causing famine
and untold hardship among the people. Ogunlola therefore,
told the Alaafin that if he could be released, he would kill
Elemoso. This was granted and Ogunlola was shown where
Ogunlola after studying Elemaso’s tactics took proper aim
and shot him down from his hiding place Ogunlola quickly
beheaded him and brought the severed head to the Alaafin.
Elemeso’s army was therefore routed.
Alaafin was so impressed by Ogunlola’s prowess that he, the Alaafin,
requested him to stay in the capital Oyo-Ile instead of
returning to his settlement. Ogunlola politely declined
saying “Ejeki a ma se ohun” meaning let me stay yonder” His
majesty, the Alaafin, granted Ogunlola’s wish to return to
his settlement.
Later, travellers passing to and fro, used to refer to the
settlement as of him who beheaded Elemaso meaning “ido eni
ti o gb’Elemoso”. This was later contracted to Ogbomoso and finally to Ogbomoso.
Eventually the authority of Ogunlola became greater and more
respected. He was consequently made the head of the
settlement under the title of Sohun to reflect his request
from the Alaafin, ‘let me stay yonder’. His compound by the
Ajagbon tree then became the Soun’s palace and a rallying
point for all Ogbomoso citizens.
Ogbomoso, because of her strategic location, quickly grew from a village status to a medium
size town. Her people were also renown warriors. During the Fulani wars
of the 19th century many towns and villages, about 147, were deserted while their
people took refuge in Ogbomoso. The influx of people further
enhanced the size and strength of the town.
Source: Pamphlet On New Palace
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