In a bold assertion that challenges long-held beliefs about Yoruba origins, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has declared that Ile-Ife should not be regarded as the true birthplace of the Yoruba people.
The monarch made this controversial statement during a recent chieftaincy conferment ceremony at his palace in Iwo, Osun State. The event, which was recorded and shared on his official Facebook page, saw Oba Akanbi surrounded by his chiefs as he addressed the gathering.
In the video, the Oluwo argued that Ile-Ife was already inhabited before the arrival of Oduduwa, the legendary progenitor often credited with founding the Yoruba civilization. He stated that Oduduwa’s conquest of Ife and subsequent rise to rulership marked a significant cultural shift, implying that the city was not the original Yoruba cradle.
“Our language back then was different from what we speak today. Ile-Ife was already there before Oduduwa came,” the Oluwo said. “The language spoken in ancient Ife is not the same as the Yoruba language we know now. There’s a clear dialect difference and distinct cultural expressions that show Ife is not the origin.”
Oba Akanbi pointed out that the terminology used by Ife natives also diverged from Yoruba conventions. For instance, he noted that they refer to their ruler as “Olofin,” which in Yoruba is interpreted as “Alaafin,” suggesting a different cultural and linguistic background.
“Ife is not the Yoruba origin. I am the Arole Olodumare because I am here to tell the true history,” he declared passionately. “Iwo (Iwo) holds the real history that has not been documented. We must preserve this truth for future generations.”
The monarch emphasized the importance of accurate historical narration, insisting that his statements be remembered, regardless of opposition or potential backlash. “Keep what I am telling you now. Death can come anytime, but truth must be told,” he said in Yoruba.
His declaration has sparked considerable debate among scholars, traditionalists, and the general public, many of whom have long accepted Ile-Ife as the spiritual and cultural cradle of the Yoruba race. Oba Akanbi’s stance, however, adds a new dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding Yoruba origins and history.
As conversations continue to unfold, one thing remains clear: Oba Akanbi’s candid declaration has rekindled age-old questions about the true roots of the Yoruba people, challenging historians and cultural custodians to re-examine long-held narratives.
