The Legendary Efunsetan Aniwura Efunsetan Aniwura, was the Iyalode of Ibadan, Ibadan the political powerhouse of the Yoruba from time immemorial, Efunsetan was strong, commanding and rich with exceptional character, she was intelligent, bold and resourceful. Various accounts of biographies, films, journals and books state that she kept the role of Iyalode of Ibadan for lengthy years. No detail was given about her husband but she was said to have had a daughter who was her only child. The daughter is believed to be between 19 and 22 years when she died during labour. Efunsetan was a bosom friend of Madam Efunroye Tinubu the Iyalode of Egba, they both reigned concurrently as Iyalode of Ibadan and Egba respectively. Oral history portrays her as the most powerful, wealthiest and boldest Iyalode that Yoruba nation ever had. The title; Iyalode is the highest feminine chieftancy a woman can attain in Yorubaland. Her name goes along with those of Madam Tinubu, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Kudirat Abiola of living memory. Lets focus on Efunsaten in detail, her fame was vast and she could not be compared with any other known Iyalode. Efunsetan was a successful business woman who dealt on products like Kola-nut, bitter kola, and cocoa. She was well-known across her territory and in Hausaland. She had lots of slaves and warriors just as the then contemporary king and she would release them for war in order to conquer enemies of the Yoruba. During those days, she was a figure that improved the economy of Ibadan through her business empire. She was also a renowned employer of labour. She and madam Tinubu were among the first women that had business transactions with the Europeans, mainly for slave trading. This as well helped to civilize the people of Ibadan. She was adored by all. Although she was strict to the core, she was also good to her employees and slaves. She would randomly give out money and gifts without measure. A certain story was cited about one of her slaves who gave birth to twins in her absence. When she returned, she gave her clothes, foods, pomade, and even money. She was happy to give out her slaves in marriages and even conducted naming ceremonies when they put to bed, these kind gestures stopped when her only daughter died. She all of a sudden became the opposite of her good self. Her daughter’s death turned everything around, she became really fierce and merciless. She stopped being submissive to God and the King, she started to rule supreme over her subjects, as she thought “God has failed her” Therefore, she claimed God should manage heaven while she manages her own earth. She killed her slaves at slightest provocation, she beheaded or poisoned them for committing a mere crime. She enacted a law that there must not be any pregnant slave let alone childbirth within her domain. Marriage and courtship were abolished. Any pregnant slave would be killed or have the pregnancy terminated forcefully depending on Efunsetan’s choice whilst the father to be would be beheaded. Efunsetan was known to be equipped with diabolical powers. It was not reported whether she was part of any occult groups like the witches, Ifa etc but she had strange powers that were common with occult groups There was an incident where she beheaded a pretty slave for getting pregnant for another member of her slave, even though Efunsetan’s younger brother conspired with the slave thereby claiming to be responsible for her pregnancy, she refused, she knew the truth through her supernatural powers. Several attempts were made by her family and friends to prevent her from killing the pregnant slave, she rebutted all pleas and went ahead to behead her at the village square. It was this act that made the king to intervene in her saga, and since she had refused summon to appear at the palace, the king ordered his men to bring her dead or alive. On a second thought, apparently, the king decided to go with them into her territory, he was as armed with charms as his men. On getting there, Efunsetan asked for their reasons in her house, her question was answered promptly, she begged to be allowed to pick something before her arrest. She left for her room and committed suicide saying “kaka ki ile ku, ile asaa” – Meaning it is better to die than to be molested Following her death, all her slaves were released, some remained in Ibadan while others left for their respective villages. Efunsetan was a beautiful woman of magnificent principle. She was well arrogant which resulted to her downfall.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:40:34 +0000
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