Olowu of Owu Kingdom

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The Olowu of Owu is the paramount Yoruba king of Owu kingdom. The first Olowu of Owu (son of Oduduwa's daughter) is also one of the original kings in Yorubaland.

The Owu Kingdom is ruled by princes selected from six ruling houses: Amororo, Otileta, Ayoloye, Akinjobi, Akinoso and Lagbedu. The king is assisted by appointed chiefs known as "Ogboni"s and Ologuns. The Balogun heads the chiefs and has under him Otun, Osi, Seriki, Aare Ago and Jagunna. Ogboni chiefs consists of the Akogun, Obamaja, Orunto, Oyega, Osupori and Omolasin. Olosi is the Ifa priest of the Olowu. Originally, the Owu Kingdom had 3 townships namely Owu, Erunmu and Apomu. By tradition, the Olowu is selected by six kingmakers but two more chieftaincies were added to this number in 1964, those of the Balogun and the Olosi.

Ogboni tradition was not originally part of the people of Owu's culture. It was borrowed from the Egbas after the Owus settled in Abeokuta. Hence, the reason the Owus do not have "Iledi" (Ile Ogboni), the traditional house of the Ogbonis.

In 2006, under the kingship of Oba of Owu, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu (Amororo II), the Owu palace administrative process was reorganized. The Ogboni and Ologun system of chiefs were revamped, and a new Olowu-in-Council emerged. It consists of a Cabinet of seven chiefs, including:

Past and Present Olowu of Owu Kingdom (Owu Kings)

Legendary Olowu

- The six current Owu royal families, Otileta, Ayoloye, Amororo, Akinoso, Lagedu, and Akinjobi are considered to be sons of Ajibosin, but likely represent influential descendants of Ajibosin whose descendants continue to occupy the throne. The reigns of several of these monarchs are lost to history Pre-Abeokuta Olowu of Owu-Ipoole.

Olowu of Owu in Abeokuta

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