Owo

Last updated

Owo
Ọ̀ghọ̀
Ọ̀ghọ̀ Ìmàdẹ̀
LGA
Welcome to Owo signpost, Ondo state2.jpg
A "Welcome to Owo" signpost
Nigeria location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Owo
Coordinates: 07°11′46″N05°35′11″E / 7.19611°N 5.58639°E / 7.19611; 5.58639
Country Nigeria
State Ondo State
Government
 •  Olowo of Owo Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III
Area
 • Total395 sq mi (1,024 km2)
Elevation
1,130 ft (344 m)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total222,262
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)
National Language Yorùbá
Owo
Òwò
Total population
~425,700 (2011)
Regions with significant populations
Ondo State - 425,700
 ·Owo Local Government: 258,230
 ·Ose Local Government: 167,470
Religion
Christianity  · Yoruba religion  · Islam
Short story of Owo in Owo dialect by a native speaker

Owo is a local government area in Ondo state, Nigeria. [1] [2] Between 1400 and 1600 CE, it was the capital of a Yoruba city-state. [3] [4] The local government area has a population of 222,262 based on 2006 population census. [5]

Contents

History

In their oral tradition, Owo traces its origins back to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. [6] Oral tradition also claims that the founders were the sons of the Yoruba deity Odudua, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture. [6] Owo was able to maintain virtual independence from the neighboring kingdom of Benin, but was on occasion required to give tribute. [7] The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between the Benin and the Owo kingdoms. The skill of Owo's ivory carvers was also appreciated at the court of Benin. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Benin's rulers increasingly utilized insignia made from ivory, and imported Owo's art objects and recruited its artisans for their own royal workshops. [8] There were other notable artworks that can be evidently supported. [9]

Owo came under British rule in 1893. After Nigeria declared independence in 1960, it was part of the Western Region until 1967 when it became part of the Western State. Owo and its indigenes played significant roles in the politics of the first Republic in Nigeria. In 1976, it became part of the newly created Ondo State. [4]

In June 2022, at least 50 worshippers were killed in a massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church. [10] [11]

Culture

Owo has the largest palace (Aghofen) in Africa which was declared as a national monument by the federal government, and is also a cultural landmark in Nigeria [12] Built by Olowo Rerengejen in the 14th century, the palace had as many as 100 courtyards (Ugha). Each courtyard had a specific function and was dedicated to a particular deity. The largest, said to have been twice the size of an American football field, was used for public assemblies and festivals. Some courtyards were paved with quartz pebbles or broken pottery. Pillars supporting the veranda roofs were carved with statues of the king mounted on a horse or shown with his senior wife. The current Olowo is Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III. [13]

Economy

Owo is an agricultural center involved in the growing and trade of yams, cassava, maize, okra, peppers, cocoa, and cotton. There are, however, other commercial activities in the town including but not limited to timber, sawmilling and soya bean processing plants as well as blockmaking businesses. [4]

The town is dotted with branches of banks including First Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Plc, Enterprise Bank Ltd. (formerly Omega Bank Plc), Access Bank Plc etc. The city is witnessing a dramatic change due to expansion of its road network, particularly dualization of the main road beginning from the Emure junction up to Iyere exit. A new modern market is now open in Owo. [4]

Geography

Owo is situated in southwestern Nigeria, at the southern edge of the Yoruba Hills, and at the intersection of roads from Akure, Kabba, Benin City, and Siluko. [2] Owo is situated around the halfway point between the towns of Ile Ife and Benin City. [14]

Archaeology

The Owo site was first excavated in 1969–1971 by Ekpo Eyo under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities of the Government of Nigeria. Due to Owo's location between the two famous art centers of Ife and Benin, the site reflects both artistic traditions. Important discoveries include terracotta sculptures dating from the 15th century. The Owo Museum, founded in 1968, houses many of these artifacts. [4]

Climate in Owo

In Owo, the dry season is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy whereas the wet season is warm, oppressive, and overcast. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 65  °F (18.3 °C) and 89 °F (31.6 °C), rarely falling below 59 °F (15 °C) or rising above 94 °F (34.4 °C).

For hot-weather activities, favoring clear days with temperatures between 75 °F (24 °C) and 90 °F (32.2 °C), the "best" time to visit Owo is from somewhere around early November to mid-February. [15]

Traditional rulers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorubaland</span> Cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa

Yorubaland is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of 142,114 km2 (54,871 sq mi). Of this land area, 106,016 km2 (74.6%) lies within Nigeria, 18.9% in Benin, and the remaining 6.5% is in Togo. Prior to European colonization, a portion of this area was known as Yoruba country. The geo-cultural space contains an estimated 55 million people, the majority of this population being ethnic Yoruba.

Oba Sir Olateru Olagbegi II, was the King (Olowo) of Owo, an ancient city which was once the capital of an Eastern Yoruba city state in Nigeria.

The Itsekiri language is a major branch of the Yoruboid group of languages, which as a group, is a key member of the Volta–Niger sub-family of the Niger–Congo family of African languages. Itsekiri is spoken by nearly 900,000 people in Nigeria as a first language and by many others as an additional language notably in the Niger Delta and in parts of Edo and Ondo states of Nigeria. The other key members of the Yoruboid group are Yoruba and Igala along with the various Yoruba dialects spoken in Benin and Togo.

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Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from the rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria. Although they do not have formal political power, in many cases they continue to command respect from their people and have considerable influence in their community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III</span> Olowo of Owo

Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III, CFR, SAN was the traditional ruler of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. He was the eldest son of the late Olowo of Owo, Sir Olateru Olagbegi (1910–1998). He succeeded his father as the Olowo of Owo in 1999 but was given the staff of office as the Olowo of Owo on December 11, 2003, by late Olusegun Agagu, former executive governor of Ondo State. He celebrated his 15th coronation anniversary in 2014

Olowo Adekola Ogunoye II was a traditional ruler of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, who reigned between February 1968 to November 1992 before Sir Olateru Olagbegi II was reinstated in 1993. One of his sons, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, was later enthroned as the Olowo of Owo, in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olowo of Owo</span> The paramount Yoruba king of Owo

The Olowo of Owo is the paramount Yoruba king of Owo, a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria which was the capital of Yoruba between 1400 and 1600 AD. Ojugbelu Arere, the first Olowo of Owo was the direct descendant of Oduduwa known as the father of the Yorubas. The current Olowo of Owo is His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who is also the 32nd paramount ruler of Owo kingdom. The name Owo meaning Respect, is said to have been coined from the intrigue attitude of Ojugbelu, the first Olowo of Owo.

Ojugbelu Arere was the first Olowo of Owo, a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. He was a son of Oduduwa Olofin Adimula known as the ancestor of the Yoruba race whose origin was traced to Ile Ife. The name, Owo, meaning Respect was coined from his intrigue attitude. He was succeeded by Olowo Ajagbusi Ekun

This is a list of the royal titles of Yoruba monarchs. It is not in the order of seniority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igogo festival</span> Yoruba festival in Owo, Nigeria

The Igogo festival is a Yoruba festival held in Owo, Nigeria. It is held annually in September to honor Queen Oronsen, a mythical wife of Rerengejen. During the festival, the incumbent Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, and high chiefs of Owo Kingdom dress like women with coral beads, beaded gowns and plaited hair. The wearing of headgears and caps as well as the beating of drums and firing of guns are forbidden during the festival.

Ajike Ogunoye was a paramount ruler of Owo Kingdom, Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria who reigned between 1938 and 1941. He was the son of Olagbegi Atanneye I and immediate brother of Olowo Ajaka.

The Olagbegi family is a royal family in Owo, a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. Members of the family are descendants of Olagbegi Atanneye I, the Olowo of Owo who reigned between 1913 and 1938. Olagbegi Atanneye was himself a descendant of Ojugbelu Arere, the first traditional ruler of Owo, who was a direct descendant of Oduduwa.

Ijebu-Owo is one of the five quarters that together make up the township of Owo, in Owo local government area of Ondo State, south-western Nigeria. The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between Owo and Benin kingdoms from the seventeenth century till date. Oral tradition claimed that the founders of Owo and Ijebu-Owo were the descendants of Ojugbelu Arere, the first Olowo of Owo who was a descendant of Oduduwa, the pioneer ruler of Ile-Ife. The king of the Ijebu-Owo is called Ojomo Oluda and the incumbent Ojomo Oluda is Oba (King) Kofoworola Oladoyinbo Ojomo, a retired General of the Nigerian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ojomo Oluda</span> A traditional ruler of Owo Kingdom

The Ojomo Oluda is the Yoruba king of Ijebu, Owo in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. The king is believed to be a descendant of Ojugbelu Arere, the pioneer Olowo of Owo. Ojomo Oluda also celebrates the Igogo festival with the incumbent Olowo of Owo since they are the descendants of the late Olowo Rerengejen, who married Oronsen, the goddess that brought about the annual Igogo festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kofoworola Oladoyinbo Ojomo</span> Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu, Owo

Kofoworola Oladoyinbo Ojomo is the paramount Yoruba king of Ijebu, Owo in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. He is a descendant of Ojugbelu Arere, the pioneer Olowo of Owo.

Olubunmi Olateru Olagbegi, OFR is a Nigerian jurist and former Chief judge of Ondo State, Nigeria. She is also a reader at Afe Babalola University

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi</span>

Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi was a Nigerian activist and the Director of the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON). She was a prolific writer and author of the book "Path to Women’s Development: Thoughts, Vision and Passion ."

Olowo Imade succeeded his father, Ojugbelu at Okiti Upafa. He led his people to Oke-Made (Made-Hills) where they had a short-lived stay mainly due to wars and incessant thunderstorms which caused several fatalities of the Omo-lowos. They eventually moved to Okiti-Asegbo and expanded to the southern part of town where Olowo Imade along with the Ighare warriors/chiefs conquered the land and settled. The area was designated the Iloro (Uloro) quarters. Today, the 12 Iloro (Ighare) Chiefs are responsible for the installation and burial of the Olowo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III</span> Nigerian traditional ruler (born 1966)

Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III is the Olowo of Owo and Paramount Ruler of Owo Land. His father was Oba Adekola Ogunoye II, the Olowo of Owo, who reigned between 1968 and 1993. His mother was Olori Adenike Yeyesa Ogunoye. Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III was presented with the staff of office by the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu on 14 December 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palace of Olowo of Owo</span> Royal palace of the Yoruba kings of Owo

The Olowo's palace, Aghọfẹn Ọlọghọ, is the largest palace in Africa. It is located in Owo, a local government area in Ondo State, and has been dubbed a national monument by the federal government of Nigeria in the year 2000. The palace features 100 courtyards, called Ugha, that each have a specific function and address a specific deity.

References

  1. ↑ "Fig. 1a. Map of Nigeria showing Ondo State in relation Owo LGA Source:..." ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  2. 1 2 "Owo | Igbo-Yoruba, Ondo State, Benin-Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. ↑ "Tinubu mourns death of Olowo of Owo". Vanguard News. 2019-04-24. Archived from the original on 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "AFRICA | 101 Last Tribes - Owo people". www.101lasttribes.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  5. ↑ Brinkhoff, Thomas. "OWO Local Government Area in Nigeria". City Population. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Origins and Empire: The Benin, Owo, and Ijebu Kingdoms". metmuseum.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  7. ↑ Smith (1988), Kingdoms of the Yoruba, p. 52.
  8. ↑ "Exchange of Art and Ideas: The Benin, Owo, and Ijebu Kingdoms". metmuseum.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  9. ↑ Willett, Frank; Picton, John (1967). "On the Identification of Individual Carvers: A Study of Ancestor Shrine Carvings from Owo, Nigeria". Man. 2 (1): 62–70. doi:10.2307/2798654. JSTOR   2798654. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2011-07-20– via JSTOR.
  10. ↑ Princewill, Nimi; Cassidy, Amy (2022-06-06). "Mass shooting at Nigeria church kills dozens, says local lawmaker". CNN . Archived from the original on 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  11. ↑ "At least 50 killed in massacre at Catholic church in southwest Nigeria". Reuters . 2022-06-06. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  12. ↑ "Inside Africa's largest palace". Tribune Online. 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  13. ↑ Dada, Peter (2019-07-12). "Ajibade emerges new Olowo of Owo". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  14. ↑ "Expedition Magazine | New Treasures From Nigeria". Expedition Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  15. ↑ "Owo Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Nigeria) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  16. ↑ "The life, times of Oba Olateru OlagbegiIi". Vanguard News. 2016-04-29. Archived from the original on 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  17. ↑ "The Olagbegi/Ogunoye Tango and Its Misreading In History, By Femi Kehinde - Premium Times Opinion". 2019-09-29. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  18. ↑ "BREAKING: Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, The 'Olowo Of Owo, Is Dead". Sahara Reporters. 2019-04-17. Archived from the original on 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  19. ↑ "Olowo: How Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye Emerged". PM Parrot. 13 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.

Bibliography

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