The untold story of Efunsetan Aniwura

-
Image result for efunsetan aniwura story
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.
Image result for efunsetan aniwura story This event made Efunsetan to become withdrawn, a sadist and an atheist. She banned every act of love or romance among her slaves. Any slave caught dissenting this law is dealt with accordingly. The height of her actions was when she ordered that a female slave be killed when it was discovered that the slave was pregnant. This provoked serious anger from the king and his men and it eventually lead to her fall. There are many version of how she fell despite being boastful of one of the best armies in the Yoruba kingdom then.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ODO OGUN: THE HUMAN RIVER OF SAKI

-
Image
Saki was once a Yoruba refugee settlement after the destruction in 1835 of old Oyo.  Ogun (god of Iron) was from this town. Traditionally, the work of inhabitants in the olden days of Saki were hunting, farming, blacksmith, goldsmith and clay pot mouldering  According to Omoba Olawuyi Maranroola, one of the princes in the royal family of Iji-ojiele, Iganran area of Saki town who made it known that in the ancient time, the first king that reigned in Saki was Akebekun meaning someone that shouts like tiger. He was a powerful king that married two wives. There was also a powerful woman who lived in Saki at this time whose name was Omujelewu, Ekunsumi meaning her breast was so big to the extent of falling out of her clothing. This prevented men from approaching her for marriage. Her parents tried all what they could do to get her problem solved, they tried all what they could, going from one herbalist to another but to no avail. Not until her father’s friend took her to an he...
Read more

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

-
Image
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...
Read more

Aso oke fabric: From Head to Toe Yoruba Beautiful attires

-
Image
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...
Read more