Kanran, or Karan, was an Alaafin of the Oyo Empire, who was preceded Odarawu. His reign was short and tyranical and he was overthrown by the Oyo Mesi.
He was considered a fierce and tempestuous leader, and is said to have subjected his subjects to severe punishments. He inspired the Oyo proverb, 'O nika ninu ju Karan lo' ('He is more cruel than Karan'). [1]
Kanran | |
---|---|
Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ | |
Reign | 1659 - 1665 |
Predecessor | Aláàfin Ódárawu |
Successor | Aláàfin Jayin |
As a result of his propensity to harm his own people, a plot to terminate him or get him to abdicate the throne was entered into by his nobles. He was rejected by the Oyo Mesi (the principal counselors of the state) but defied the subsequent order to commit suicide. [2] When the army entered his city to depose him, Kanran reportedly climbed onto the roof of his palace and shot arrows at them until the building was set on fire. [3]
He was succeeded by his son Jayin.
Kanran sent an army against the town of Aga Oibo, but before it could be taken, the conspirators sent a messenger to the king asking for his fan-bearer to be offered as a sacrifice.
Kanran complied with the request and a sacrificial meal was in return offered to the king for consumption. However, as Kanran ate the meat, the conspirators announced that Kanran had eaten his own fan-bearer.
They followed this by stating that due to this, the king's words no longer had any value with anyone - most especially the Oyo army. The conspirators then demanded that Kanran commit suicide, signalling his exit from the throne. By this point, his army had indeed turned against him as he had committed an abomination before the gods.
The trap succeeded and Kanran was subsequently killed battling his enemies.
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire in West Africa. It was located in present-day southern Benin and western Nigeria. The empire grew to become the largest Yoruba-speaking state through the organizational and administrative efforts of the Yoruba people, trade, as well as the military use of cavalry. The Oyo Empire was one of the most politically important states in Western Africa from the mid-17th to the late 18th century and held 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 on its west.
Ojigi was Alaafin of the Yoruba Oyo Empire from 1724-1735.
Onigbogi was a king of the Oyo Empire in West Africa who succeeded his father, the Alaafin Oluaso to become the 8th king of the Oyo.
Ofinran was a 16th-century king of the Oyo Empire in West Africa who succeeded Onigbogi as Alaafin after the latter had left for exile in Borgu with a few other Yorubas from Oyo. Ofinran was then made king in a foreign land and joined his host in expeditions around the Niger River and the two communities co-existed.
Orompoto was an Alaafin of the Yoruba Oyo Empire. The empire of which she ruled is located in what is modern day western and north-central Nigeria.
Ọbalókun was an Aláàfin and celebrated warrior-king of the kingdom of Ọ̀yọ́. He is also remembered as the Aláàfin under which Oyo first entered the Atlantic Slave Trade and contact with European powers.One of his nicknames was "Aágànná Erin" which translates to the plundering elephant, aluding to his expansionist policy.
Àjàgbó was a warlike Aláàfin of the West African Oyo Empire, who allegedly reigned for 140 years in the seventeenth century.
Ódárawu was an Aláàfin of the Oyo Empire, who ruled briefly during the seventeenth century. He was the first Aláàfin recorded to be dethroned by the Oyo Mesi
Jayin was a unpopular Aáàfin of the Oyo Empire, who was ordered to commit suicide by the Oyo Mesi after having killed his own son.
Aganju of Oyo was a Yoruba emperor of the Oyo state, in present-day Nigeria. He was said to have been the fourth Alaafin or old Oyo.
Bashorun Gaha was a notable nobleman and leader of the military in the old Oyo Empire during the 18th century. From 1650 to 1750, Oyo Empire was at the pinnacle of its greatness, peace, prosperity and wealth. The Empire had expanded to the utmost part covering the river Niger in the north; part of Tapa and Bariba kingdoms in the East of the lower Niger; towards the South by the seacoast and the West including Popos and Dahomey. Thousands of provincial officials were appointed to administer all the conquered kingdoms and report to the Alafin who glory in his majesty and power. Women, men, young and old sang his praises. Then internal struggles for power began the rapid acceleration of the Empire disintegration and total collapse.
Gberu was an Alaafin of the Yoruba Oyo Empire. He was on the throne from 1730 to 1746.
Afonja of Ilorin was the "Are-Ona-Kakanfo", or chief military leader, of the Oyo Empire. Laderin, the great-grandfather of Afonja, was the founder of Ilorin city. He was succeeded by his son, Pasin, a powerful warrior who became a threat and target to, Basorun Gaha, because of his rising profile. He was driven into exile and killed. Alagbin, his son was made Baale. After the death of Alagbin, his son, Afonja, took over. These were the only four Yoruba baale in Ilorin.
Eso Ikoyi is an aristocratic attribute amongst the Yoruba people which denotes an eminent warrior. It has been used as everything from a chieftaincy title to a part of praise poetry.
Onisile was an Alaafin of the Yoruba Oyo Empire during the eighteenth century.
The Yoruba Revolutionary Wars, also known as the Yoruba Civil Wars, were a series of conflicts that engulfed the Yoruba-speaking areas of West Africa from approximately 1789 to 1893. These wars were characterized by intense and prolonged struggles among various Yoruba city-states and kingdoms, leading to significant political, social, and economic changes in the region.
The Oyo Mesi is the privy council of Oyo, a Yoruba traditional state in Southwestern Nigeria. It dates to the medieval period, when it served as the government of a powerful pre-colonial state that was known as the Oyo empire.
Alaafin Atiba Atobatele was a king of the Oyo Empire. He was the son of King Abiodun of Oyo, and Eni-olufan from Akeitan.
Orile Ijaye is a small town located in Akinyele local government, Oyo state, Nigeria. It is about 18 miles from Ibadan, Oyo state capital. This town was re-inhabited in 1895, 32 years after it was destroyed due to an intra-ethnic and supremacy war with Ibadan; another military power at that time. The name of the town came from the original name, Ijaye, the name meaning Ijaye city-town.
Ayabi was an Aláàfin of the Oyo Empire.