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Bashorun Gaa: Oyo-Ile’s Unforgotten Tyrant And His End

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The Old Oyo Empire was one of the strongest if not the strongest in the Yoruba mythology. Oyo-Ile as it was called then (not the modern day Oyo) has a lot of stories surrounding it, being the choosen place for many of the Yoruba gods and warriors, likewise kings and people of great reputation. This brings us to the story surrounding Bashorun Gaa and his reign as the Prime Minister of the Old Oyo Empire. Bashorun Gaa was an integral part of the Old Oyo Empire’s royal politics. No story of Oyo-Ile would be complete without a mention of his name. Bashorun Gaa was instrumental to the military conquests during his time as a Prime Minister of the Old Oyo Empire during the 17th/18th century. During the 17th century Oyo Kingdom, the monarchical failings came with a succession of uncharitable kings to the exalted throne. From Odarawu who was bad tempered, to Kanran, an unmitigated tyrant, then Jayin, the effeminate and dissolute, down to Ayibi, the cruel and ar...
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The untold story of Efunsetan Aniwura

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Most narrations portrayed Efunsetan as a very wicked, callous and blood sucking monster who killed just for the fun of it. I cannot agree less that it is a deliberate attempt by chauvinistic men to discredit one of the most powerful women in the sociopolitical history of the Yorubas. The records need to be set straight. Efunsetan Aniwura is a popular chief (iyalode) in the town of Ibadan in the old Oyo kingdom. She was fathered by an Egba farmer named Ogunrin who happened to be from Egba Oke-Ona. A typical Yoruba man would wonder how an Egba fathered woman can hold such an important chieftain in Ibadan. She gradually rose through hard work to become very influential economically, politically and even militarily. In the midst of all these, Efunsetan could not give birth to more than one child, a daughter. Unfortunately, she lost her sole child to childbirth. This event made Efunsetan to become withdrawn, a sadist and an atheist. She banned every act of love or romance...
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Aso oke fabric: From Head to Toe Yoruba Beautiful attires

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Aso oke fabric , (Yoruba: Așǫ oke, pronounced   ah-SHAW-okay ) is a hand-loomed cloth woven by the   Yoruba people   of west   Africa .   Aso oke  means "top cloth" in the   English language , denoting cloth of high status.   Usually woven by men, the fabric is used to make men's gowns, called   Agbada , women's   wrappers , called iro, and men's hats, called   fila . Aso oke  is from the Yoruba culture in  Ondo ,  Oyo ,  Ogun ,  Ekiti ,  Lagos , and  Osun States  in southwestern Nigeria and  Ajase  in southeastern  Benin Republic The way of making the cloth has remained the same for centuries, however new techniques and production methods have been looked into to eliminate the weight and thickness of the Aso oke cloth, and to make it more accessible for casual wear. Types of aso oke Edit Other ways that designers have made this old traditional cloth be...
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NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN NIGERIA

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The New Yam Festival is an annual festival observed mostly by the people of the Middle belt ,South and East of Nigeria. It is held at the end of the rainy season  which is different times in different communities starting from early August to  October . The festival also known as Iwa Ji ,Iri Ji or Ike ji (meaning eating yam), is observed throughout West Africa , Especially in Nigeria .It symbolises the conclusion of a harvest and the beginning of the next work cycle . In Igbo land , it ties the Igbo communities together .Yam are the first crop to be harvested and it is the most important crop. The evening before the New yam Festival ,old Yam must be consumed or discarded and on the day of the festival only dishes made out of yam is  served. Palm oil is used to  eat the yam .The oldest Man in the community eats the first yam offering the yam and prayers to the gods, deities and ancestors . The harves...
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Traditional Wedding in Zulu land

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A Zulu wedding, like most African weddings, is vibrant with colors, music, dancing, and then some. There are other traditions when it comes to South African weddings but Zulu weddings are among the most popular because of the vast population of members of Zululand. When a Zulu girl is ready for marriage, her father will arrange a coming-out ceremony to introduce her to society and formally make her availability for marriage known. Nowadays, I don’t know how close to the historical Zulu traditions a Zulu wedding is but it is still fascinating to learn about how their ancestors did it. Among the Zulus, the bride has the upper hand. The bride goes and gets her groom. Once she gives her consent, the number of cattle that will be given to her father in exchange for her is negotiated. Beaded jewelry is the language of love in Zulu weddings. Brides-to-be will typically make two sets of bead necklaces in matching colors – one for herself and one for her groom-to-be. Their matchi...
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Cowrie cash days in Nigeria

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In Nigeria, Cowry shell is believed to be the most-widely known pre-coinage currency. There are of course two species of Cowry shell that were used as currency, and their acceptability varied from one area of the country to another. A species of the large type called “Cypraea annulus” was preferred in the West of Niger whereas in the East of Niger the smaller type “Cypraea moneta” was in common use. Cowrie is known by different names in Nigeria. In Igbo-land, the large Cowry shells are known among the people as “Mbudambu” or “Nwefe” or “Okpokpo” which cost one-third of the small ones known as “Ayola”In Nigeria, Cowry shell is believed to be the most-widely known pre-coinage  Besides the Igbo people, Cowry shell is also known by different names among people of other ethnic groups of Nigeria: Among the Fulani, it is known as Sedere ; owoeye in Yoruba; Igvo or Bosjes or “Bossies in  Bini.
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History of Bartering age

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The history of bartering dates all the way back to 6000 BC. Introduced by Mesopotamia tribes, bartering was adopted by Phoenicians. Phoenicians bartered goods to those located in various other cities across oceans. Babylonian's also developed an improved bartering system. Goods were exchanged for food, tea, weapons, and spices. At times, human skulls were used as well. Salt was another popular item exchanged. Salt was so valuable that Roman soldiers' salaries were paid with it. In the Middle Ages, Europeans traveled around the globe to barter crafts and furs in exchange for silks and perfumes. Colonial Americans exchanged musket balls, deer skins, and wheat. When money was invented, bartering did not end, it become more organized. Due to lack of money, bartering became popular in the 1930s during the Great Depression. It was used to obtain food and various other services. It was done through groups or between people who acted similar to banks. If any items ...
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