The Ijebu History

A version of oral history claimed that some sixty Olisa had reigned in Ijebu-Ode. But their names and time are lost to memory, save a few. And even in the few, some dates are speculative as some records date same event some one hundred years  apart.  Nevertheless, some important  historical   facts feature repectitively in the various  versions  of oral history of the Olisa. All  version of  oral  history  we  encountered claimed that OLISA, a shorthand version of OLU OF ISA was an  oba  in  his  native  home, ISA, located  variously around Imesi  in  Ekiti.  He  responded  to persuasion  and  joined  the  entourage  of  Ajogun or Ogboroganda who later   ascended  the  throne as Oba -nta,  the third  Awujale of Ijebu in succession to Oshi who had to abdicate, and Olu-Iwa, Ajagun’s maternal grandfather and the acknowledged progenitor of the Ijebus. It is thus evident that the dating of OLISA in history is closely related to the dating of the Awujale from the immigration of Obanta and his enctourage from Ile-Ife.

THE EARLY TIMES
    Ijebu oral history has it that the first OLISA was originally Olu of Isa, Isa then a town or settlement near or within the present township of Imesi in Ekiti. This is interpreted to mean Oke-Imesi in Ekiti division of Ondo State or is it Imesi Ile near Ilesha in Obokun Local Governement area of Osun State, or possibly Imesi-Ekiti (also known as Imesi-Lasigidi). Of course all three, Imesi-Ile, Oke-Imesi and Imesi-Lasigidi are sister towns in close proximity and founded and occupied by the same set of people within contemporary oral history. Oral history further has it that for many of his last years at Isa. Olu’Isa was disturbed by a persistent annual revelation by the Ifa oracle of the imminence of a “relocation” which was interested to mean that a moment in history was imminent when he and his people of Isa would be physically uprooted from Isa and resettled somewhere else. It was also construed to mean the possibility of a war ravaging Isa, or an early demise of Olu’Isa, or at worst, his exit from rulership of Isa, all of which would be a great calamity if they happened, and against which several ritualistic sacrifices were made. Meanwhile at Ile-Ife, a prince had been born to Oduduwa. His name Ogboroganda. His mother is Gborowo, the daughter of Ilu-Iwa; Olu Iwa the acknowledged progenitor of the Ijebus. History has it that Olu-Iwa passed through Ile-Ife during his journey from Eaddai in upper sudan and was indeed a guest of Oduduwa, also of the same Nubina stoke,for a brief spell. His entourage included Gborowo,his grown-up daugher,for whom Oduduwa took a fancy.And when time came for Olu-Iwa to continue his journey and partly in gratituted for Oduduwa’s hospitality and in acknowledgment of the perceived developing interest in Gborowo,Olu-Iwa gave his daughter in marriage was Ogboroganda who later led a wave of migrants but she reportedly took ill and in fact died on the journey, and her remains were laid to rest on the bank of river osun. Hence, to this day, Ijebu have an annual worship of Osun-Gborowo in commemoration of this historical event.
    The ogboroganda led migrant reportedly passed through Isa (Imesi) where Ogboroganda confronted Olu. Isa and requested his company on the journey. He willingly gave his consent, packed bag and baggage, and with a retinue of his  subjects including his mother and brothers.Jibeyin joined the wave of migrants. He distinguished himself as a brave warrior and leader all through the journey. Two of his distinguished act of bravery are well remembered by the Ijebu oral historians.The entourage has to pass through an area called IGBO but was refused passage  by Olu-Igbo or Olu of Igbo. In irrtation at this affront Olu ‘isa,sought and received Ogboroganda’s permission to do battle  with Olu’Igbo  whom he conquered, and  in fact  be headed  with his royal  sword survives till this day and is now in the safe custody of the new Olisa AdemokunII. The Igbo people were held in bondage and the severed head of Olu’Igbo was potted and carried on the journey by Aka, the then pregnant wife of Olu’Igbo. Aka was delivered of a baby boy shortly  after the entourage entered Ijebu Ode and Ogboroganda directed that the potted head of Olu’Igbo be buried at the site of this delivery. The site was then refreed to as “Ibi Aka ru Igbo de” (The point to which Aka carried Olu’Igbo’s head) which by irregular abbreviation and mutilation is now the famous “IKANIGBO” ward in Iwade Quarters of Ijebu-Ode. The Igbo immigrants settled in this ward and some of their descendants several centuries later migrated to Yemule area of Porogun Quarters and later to beyond Okomayan river near Okun-Owa. This group was reported to have further migrated to the Offin area of Sagamu in Ijebu-Remo. Their leader in the new location bears the title of “Akarigbo” apparently a corruption of “Akarigbo”.
    The second often retold act of bravery of Olu’Isa occurred at ibu, a location somewhere in the Ijebu waterside, where the entourage had a brief stopover. Suddenly and inexplicably an eclips occurred converting daytime to a dark gloomy night, an event that engendered fear and anxiety. As was then custom, the Ifa oracle was consulted and it directed them to conduct a search of the nieghbouring forest where they would find a diety requiring propitation. The Olu’Isa volunteered to lead the search party, handpicked follwers, drew his sword, and the  search commenced in earnest.
    After a length search, they stumbled on two objects which Ifa oracle confirmed as the dieties. On further enquiring by divination the dieties requested to be clothed in Leopard skin, and to accompany the entourage. These wishes were, and thus emerged the “Ako” and “Obi” Ojowu deities residing at Oyingbo and Odo-Esa wards of Ijebu Ode respectively and are till today worshiped annually as of yore. The hunter who furnished the Leopard skin and was later pressed into further services as the carrier of the two deities was designated as the official worshiper of the deities and put in care of an Old woman the Erelu at Odo esa. Thus began the office of Olawa Ojuwu at Odo-Esa ward of Ijebu Ode.