This article or section is in a state of significant expansion or restructuring. You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article or section has not been edited in several days, please remove this template.If you are the editor who added this template and you are actively editing, please be sure to replace this template with ((in use)) during the active editing session. Click on the link for template parameters to use. This redirect was last edited by T Cells (talk | contribs) 8 years ago. (Update timer)
Ife bronze casting of Oduduwa, the pioneer Ooni of Ife

.


The Ooni of Ife is the paramout traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. Since the demise of Oduduwa, 49 Kings had reigned in Ile Ife with the title, "Ooni of Ife.[1] The 50th Ooni of Ife, Olubuse II was reported dead on July 28, 2015 but the claim was refuted by the Royal Traditional Council of Ife with the claim that he is alive and in good state of health.[2][3]

Dynasty

Yoruba Copper mask for King Obalufon, The Ooni of Ile Ife, Nigeria c. 1300 C.E.

The royal dynasty could be traced back to over 500 B.C and was pioneered by Ooni Odùduwà who was the ancestral father of the Yorubas. Ooni Oduduwa was succeeded by Ooni Osangangan Obamakin who was also succeeded by his son, Ooni Ogun. Following the demise of Ooni Ogun, Ooni Obalufon Ogbogbodirin ascended the throne as the 4th paramout ruler of the ancient city, "Ile Ife" and was succeeded by his son, Ooni Obalufon Alayemore.[4] Oranyan Omoluabi succeeded Ooni Obalufon Alayemore. Oranyan was Ooni Oduduwa's last born and one of Oduduwa's principal ministers and overseer of the nascent Benin Empire. He was the father of the pioneer Oba of Benin and first the Aláàfin of Oyo was one of his sons.[5] Oranyan was succeeded by Ooni Ayetise. Ooni Lajamisan ascended the throne following the demise of "Ooni Ayetise]] as the 8th Ooni of Ile Ife.[6] Lajamisan was succeeded by Ooni Lajodoogun who was also succeeded by Ooni Lafogido as the 10th Ooni of Ile Ife. Ooni Odidimode Rogbeesin ascended the throne as the 11th Ooni of Ile Ife and following his demise, he was succeeded by Ooni Aworokolokin, the 12th traditional ruler of Ile Ife.[7] Aworokolokin was suceeded by Ooni Ekun who was in turn succeeded by his son, Ooni Ajimuda. Ooni Gboonijio ascended the throne as the 15th Ruler and was succeeded by Ooni Okanlajosin who was in turn succeeded by Ooni Adegbalu who preceded Ooni Osinkola who was succeeded by Ooni Ogboruu.[8] Ooni Giesi ascended the throne as the 20th Ruler of the ancient city and was succeeded by Ooni Luwoo who was a female Ruler. [9] Other rulers with the title before the 16th century includes Ooni Lumobi, Ooni Agbedegbede, Ooni Ojelokunbirin, Ooni Lagunja, Ooni Larunnka, Ooni Ademilu, Ooni Omogbogbo succeeded by Ajila Oorun.[10] Ooni Adejinle ascended the throne as the 30th ruler of Ife and was succeeded by his son, Ooni Olojo who was succeeded by Ooni Okiti. Following the demise of Ooni Okiti, Ooni Lugbade became the Ooni of Ife and was succeeded by Ooni Aribiwoso who preceded Ooni Osinlade who was succeeded by Ooni Adagba, the father of Ooni Ojigidiri who was succeeded by Ooni Akinmoyero in 1770.[11]

19th century Rulers

Following the demise of "Ooni Akinmoyero" in 1880, Ooni Gbanlare ascended the throne but died in 1823. He was succeeded by Ooni Gbanlare who only spent 12 years on the throne before his demise in 1835, the same year Ooni Wunmonije became the paramout ruler.[12] Wunmonije joined his ancestors in 1839 and was succeeded by Ooni Adegunle Adewela who reigned for 10 years until his demise in 1849. He was succeeded by Ooni Degbinsokun who reigned between 1849 to 1878. Following his demise in 1978, he was succeeded by Ooni Orarigba who only spent 2 years on the throne. In 1880, Ooni Derin Ologbenla ascended the throne and reigned for 14 years before his demise in 1894. Ooni Ologbenla was succeeded by Ooni Adelekan Olubuse I who died in 1910.[13]

20th century rulers

Following the demise of Ooni Olubuse I in 1910, Ooni Adekola ascended the throne as an interim Ruler and was succeeded by Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun who reigned for 20 years before his demise in 1930.[14] He was succeeded by Ooni Adesoji Aderemi who reigned for 50 years. He died in 1980 and on July 1980, Ooni Okunade Sijuwade ascended the throne and he is the incumbent "Ooni of Ife".[15] According to Forbes, he is the third Africa's Richest King with a net worth of at least $75 million.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade, dies at 85". The Punch News. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. ^ "Ooni of Ife is not dead-Royal Traditional council". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  3. ^ "The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is dead". Daily Independent. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  4. ^ Dele, Awoyinfa (1992). Ooni of Ife in Yoruba history. Nigeria: Lichfield Nigeria. p. 96. ISBN 9789783049871. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  5. ^ Aremu, Bello (1999). The Greatness of Ile-Ife in Yoruba History. Lagos, Nigeria: New Millenium Communications Limited. p. 128. ISBN 9789783049857. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  6. ^ A., Akinjogbin (2002). Milestones and concepts in Yoruba history and culture: a key to understanding Yoruba history. Nigeria: Olu Akin Publisher. p. 167. ISBN 9783576879. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  7. ^ Alisa, LaGamma (2011). Heroic Africans: Legendary Leaders, Iconic Sculptures. New York City: Metropolitan Museum of Art New York. p. 274. ISBN 9780300175844. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  8. ^ Toyin, Falola (1989). History of Nigeria: Nigeria before 1800 AD. Nigeria: Longman Nigeria. p. 194. ISBN 9781396768. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  9. ^ R O, Ajetunmobi (2002). The evolution and development of Lagos State. Lagos, Nigeria: Triad Associate. p. 285. ISBN 9783624083. Retrieved July 30,2015. ((cite book)): Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  10. ^ "Ooni Of Ife: Ademiluyi Family Set To Produce Successor". Leadership Newspaper. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  11. ^ Bamidele, Ayo (2002). Public Administration and the Conduct of Community Affairs Among the Yoruba in Nigeria. Nigeria: ICS Press. p. 237. ISBN 1558155236. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  12. ^ Olubayo, Okelola (2001). Political history of Ile-Ife (cradle of Yoruba race) 1900-1980. Ile Ife, Nigeria: Lichfield Nigeria. p. 125. ISBN 9783049833. Retrieved July 30, 2015. ((cite book)): Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  13. ^ Dayọ̀, Ológundúdú (2008). The cradle of Yoruba culture. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  14. ^ Dayo, Ologundudu (2008). The cradle of Yoruba culture. Nigeria: Centre for spoken words. p. 206. ISBN 0615220630. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  15. ^ "Ooni of Ife is dead". The Nation News. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  16. ^ "The 5 Richest Kings In Africa". Forbes. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
Categories