THE TRUE HISTORY OF ODÙDUWÀ AND YORUBALAND: A CALL FOR HISTORICAL RESTORATION AND TRADITIONAL DIGNITY

Security Expert/Surv.
Prince Amb (Dr) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
Akinjagunla Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland,
NIS, DiL, PSU, BSc, MSc

In Yorubaland, we need to forget the colonial history and the religiously influenced narratives about the Yoruba people. The manipulation is too much, to the extent that some ignorant beliefs now dominate our understanding of who we are.

In our historical record, we have two dominant and popular versions of the Odùduwà origin story — but both are fake, without concrete evidence. This distortion is the genesis of many of Yorubaland’s problems. It is the main reason traditional rulers are constantly fighting for supremacy, especially between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. Some people support the Ooni, while others support the Alaafin.

This fight will only stop if we return to our original history — the story that says Odùduwà came from heaven (Odùduwà Tèwòràn). This version has strong backing in oral tradition and spiritual belief, and evidence of it exists up to this day.

1. The history that claims Lamurudu (or Lamududu) gave birth to Odùduwà, who then gave birth to Okanbi, who then had seven children — is a fabricated lie. It was created by religious leaders when they wanted to condemn our traditions and culture. They found it difficult to accept that Odùduwà came down from heaven. Instead, they wanted us to believe that they were the first settlers on earth.

2. Another story says Odùduwà came from an Arabian country and refused to accept Islam. This, too, is a fantastical and fabricated lie. There is no proof anywhere that Odùduwà came from the Arabian Peninsula to Ile-Ife. There is no house or trace of Lamurudu or Okanbi in Ile-Ife till today. They used the fact that our forefathers couldn’t read or write to manipulate the history of Odùduwà and the Yoruba people.

Some people find it difficult to believe that Odùduwà came from heaven (Tèwòràn), but my question is: do those who reject that story believe in God? If they do, then they should also believe that there is nothing Almighty God cannot do.

If they believe the religious stories in the Quran and the Bible — for example:

That a fish swallowed someone for three days (Prophet Yunus / Jonah),

That someone died and rose after three days (Jesus Christ),

That Allah sent angel Jubril to Prophet Muhammad,

That Prophet Muhammad married a wife at age six,

That a baby used his leg to dig the ground and created a stream (Zamzam water),

Then they should also accept Yoruba traditional beliefs as recorded in Ifa. These things may be hard to believe, but they are accepted in faith so our own traditions deserve the same respect.

Let me make this clear: Odùduwà did not have only seven children. That story is another fabrication by religious and colonial scholars. I can categorically say that Odùduwà had many children not just seven or one but that is a story for another day.

The only person who has rights across the entirety of Yorubaland is Alaafin. This is based not only on oral and traditional history but also on legal judgment. During the reign of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, there was a legal matter between the Alaafin and the past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. The matter went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the Alaafin affirming that he has overarching rights in Yorubaland. Only Alaafin has the authority to confer titles over Yorubaland.

*Some important clarifications:*
The issue of Alaafin not standing up to greet the Ooni at an event is not an insult. It is in fact the correct tradition. No king is expected to stand up and greet another person whether they are a king or not.

In the Nigerian constitution and protocol, it may be required that Obas stand to greet governors and presidents, but in our Yoruba culture and tradition, it is wrong.

You will never see respected Obas like the Awùjalẹ̀ of Ijẹbu, the Aláké of Ẹ̀gbá, or other prominent rulers attending events anyhow or behaving like ordinary citizens.

The Ooni must respect Yoruba culture and stop attending every event and visiting politicians constantly. I hope that the new Alaafin, Ọba Ọláyẹmí Ọwọádé, will uphold the dignity of the throne and not join such practices. Traditional rulers must carry themselves with the dignity of their titles.

A king should not:

Shake hands or hug people unnecessarily.

Stand to greet anyone if already seated with the royal staff (Ọpá Aṣẹ or Irukere).

Eat or drink in public.

Uncover their head outside their inner chambers.

*The Supremacy of the Alaafin*
Let it be known: the Ooni is not the supreme king in Yorubaland. Alaafin is more supreme according to our traditions and culture. Alaafin’s throne is the only empire in Yorubaland. Any tribe or person who claims that Alaafin has no control over their land is simply being dismissive or ignorant.

We must return to the truth. We must respect our traditions. We must believe in our own story as much as we believe in others. Only then can we have unity, peace, and dignity in Yorubaland.

Legal Clarification Regarding the Supreme Court Case
There has been widespread reference to a Supreme Court case involving His Highness Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (Alaafin of Oyo) and Oba Adesoji Aderemi (Ooni of Ife),

*The previously cited case*
Case Title: His Highness Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (Alaafin of Oyo) & Others v. Attorney-General of Oyo State & Others
Suit Number: SC.409/1968
Citation: (1984) 1 S.C.N.L.R. 525

Actually involved a boundary dispute between Oyo and Ogbomosho communities, not a supremacy contest between the Alaafin and the Ooni. The Supreme Court upheld the administrative powers of the Boundary Settlement Commissioner,

This clarification is important to maintain factual accuracy while upholding the strong call to cultural truth and identity.

Security Expert/Surv.
Prince Amb (Dr) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
Akinjagunla Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland,
NIS, DiL, PSU, BSc, MSc