Oyo Empire Watch this page Oyo Empire Ilú-ọba Ọ̀yọ́ c. 1400–1905→ Oyo Empire at its furthest extent CapitalOyo-Ile LanguagesYoruba ReligionYoruba religion GovernmentMonarchy Alaafin - circa 1400Oranyan - 1888-1905Adeyemi I Alowolodu LegislatureOyo Mesi and Ogboni Historical eraMiddle Ages - Establishedc. 1400 - Disestablished1905 Area - 1680[1]150,000 km² (57,915 sq mi) The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today western and northern Nigeria. Established in the 14th century, the Oyo Empire grew to become one of the largest West African states. It rose through the outstanding organizational skills of the Yoruba, wealth gained from trade and its powerful cavalry. The Oyo Empire was the most politically important state in the region from the mid-17th to the late 18th century,[citation needed] holding sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states, notably the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey in the modern Republic of Benin to the west. Mythical origins Early period (1300s–1535)Edit A Survey of Old Oyo Palace Compound Oranyan, the first oba (king) of Oyo, was succeeded by Oba Ajaka, Alaafin of Oyo. Ajaka was deposed, because he lacked Yoruba military virtue and allowed his sub-chiefs too much independence. Leadership was then conferred upon Ajakas brother, Shango, who was later deified as the deity of thunder and lightning. Ajaka was restored after Shangos death. Ajaka returned to the throne thoroughly more warlike and oppressive. His successor, Kori, managed to conquer the rest of what later historians would refer to as metropolitan Oyo.[3] Oyo-Ile The heart of metropolitan Oyo was its capital at Oyo-Ile, (also known as Katunga or Old Oyo or Oyo-oro).[4] The two most important structures in Oyo-Ile was the afin, or palace of the Oba, and his market. The palace was at the center of the city close to the Obas market called Oja-oba. Around the capital was a tall earthen wall for defense with 17 gates. The importance of the two large structures (the palace and the Oja Oba) signified the importance of the king in Oyo. The Nupe occupation Oyo had grown into a formidable inland power by the end of the 14th century. For over a century, the Yoruba state had expanded at the expense of its neighbors. During the reign of Onigbogi, Oyo suffered military defeats at the hands of the Nupe led by Tsoede.[5] Sometime around 1535, the Nupe occupied Oyo and forced its ruling dynasty to take refuge in the kingdom of Borgu.[6] The Nupe sacked the capital, destroying Oyo as a regional power until the early 17th century.[7]. Im proud to a yoruba by triple
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:01:27 +0000
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