It seems while Alaafin of Oyo Empire has forever been a recurring force in politics and historiography, history has been silent on Alawe. However, it’s not so. I mentioned Ilawe in my piece, “Ancestry of Ifon”, read inter-alias:
“Ọbàlùfọ̀n Adé’s mother, named Adikun, is from Ilawẹ̀-Èkìtì, beside Ikole-Ekiti (in present-Èkìtì State, Nigeria). Ilawẹ̀ is currently in Èkìtì South-West. You can board commercial bus going to the ancient town from Àtikàin-kàin in Ádó-Èkìtì. Now, a local government headquarters. It is located along Ado-Igbara Odò road, in Ekiti State. There is another her route besides Ado and Igbara Odo the leads to Ilawẹ̀-Èkìtì.
“It’s from Ilawẹ̀ that she was brought as a slave to Ilé-Ifẹ̀ by the then Aláwẹ̀ and get hitched to Ọkànbí.”
Aside from the above, history is more than silent on Ilawe/Alawe. True to his (Alawe’s) words, Ekiti has never been under Oyo Empire. In fact, not under any tribal/empirical influences in the whole of Yoruba Nation; Ijebu, Ijesa, Owu, Ife, Benin, Ketu, Sabe, Igbomina, etc. In my upcoming piece titled “ILE-IFE IS NOT THE CRADLE OF YORUBA” – I write that historical indications and evidences point that Ekiti were in juridical formation right from Oduduwa days (read the part of ‘Oloore Mi’ king-title of ‘Mobaland’ in Ekiti, written in my piece on Ijesha: “THE ANCESTRY OF ÌJẸ̀SÀ AND ỌWÁ OBÓKÙN”).
I take some time to read and digest the two letters, I must say Alaafin got underserved reply. As a Literature student the moods of the alleged epistles is another proof of Alaafin’s sense of diplomacy and Alawe’s…..
Leaders are humans and as humans they are they are prone to mistakes. Remember another Governor in Southwest (now former) made Baales kings, the ‘kings’ mocked as ‘Oba Oni Paali’ rectified the Governor’s action by renounced their undeserved royalties/kingship.
“The Ekitis are among the aboriginal elements of the country absorbed by the invaders from the East. The term Ekiti denotes a Mound, and is derived from the rugged mountainous feature of the country. It is an extensive province and well watered, including several tribes and families right on to the border of the Niger, eastward. They hold themselves quite distinct from the Ijesas, especially in pohtical affairs. The Ekiti country is divided into 16 districts, each with its own Owa or King (Owa being a generic Term amongst them) of which four are supreme….” Samuel Johnson wrote. And Alaafin was referring to this while cautioning Ekiti State Governor on the need to thread softly in his interference in traditional institutional matters.
Ekiti Council of Kings’ chairmanship is rotational. The Kings amongst whom the seat rotates know themselves, the Governor threw a crux into the system by promoting some other Kings into the above circlet and nail the coffin by making one of the just-promoted (Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti) the Chairman.
Alaafin entreated the good office of the Governor to look into the matter and what do we have – a condemnatory letter from the ‘concerned’ king. He simply wrote Oyo state Governor to checkmate the Alaafin!
I must acknowledge the maturity of Ekiti State Governor, who has paid the Alaafin a visit after the letter bundle amidst pressing office engagements.
Alawe…the one who nothing is known of as contributions to the Ekiti monarchy. Who would have lost in both historical and political Sand of Time be it not for singular betrothment of his female slave to Ọkànbí as it’s done in those days to seek alliance, friendship and or favour is locking horns with Iku Baba Iye…..
Ti Omo kekere ba ba iyawo eni sun, Iya re laa basun dipo. But Alawe’s “Mother” (Ekiti State Governor) has done the rightly needed. Oromodie Alawe ko man awodi, tell him to go ask Alao Akala.
(c) Jimoh Taofik Adekunle
(Jimson Jaat Taofik)
March 18, 2020
The MAD Writer: Pen Priest
Facebook: Jimoh Taofik Adekunle
Twitter: @jimsonjaat01
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