...Oke Idanre hill consists of high plain with spectacular valleys interspersed with inselbergs of about 3,000 ft above sea level.
Olofin Aremitan the younger brother of Olofin Oduduwa led a group of people from Ile Ife after the demise of Oduduwa owing to the ensuing power struggle with the heirs to the throne of Oduduwa.
On the death of Oduduwa, Olofin Aremitan left Ile Ife with a group of people and settled first at Ijama in the present day Ile-oluji with Jegun Orere. A short while after, perhaps after only a season, he moved to Epe, It was believed that a group of people parted from Olofin at Ijama; and he bade goodbye to the rest at Epe. From Epe, Olofin moved out with those we might regard today as the fathers of Idanre and settled at Ojanla, not far from river Owena. From this time on, Idanre had maintained its distinct almost completely separated from all other children of Oduduwa.
The exact reason that led Olofin to leave Ife is the power tussle that no doubt erupted between Oduduwa’s heirs after the death of this powerful King. Olofin ruled Ife briefly after the death of Oduduwa as a regent but his reign was marred by jealousy, in-fighting and acrimony. Defeated in his bid for power, he set out to found another settlement with his followers, going eastward through Ujama, Epe, Urede, Ojanla, Jaleja, Utaja (his last stop where he called Ufe’ke), and crossing the Urore river. In some accounts, he was accompanied in these travels by the early leaders of Idanre.
After the death of Olofin Oduduwa, Olofin Aremitan took with him a few valuable and the most treasured belongings of Oduduwa. These include among others the ancient crown of Oduduwa, Oreghe, Ugwan, a pair of irunkere or horse tail and certain medicine for their preservation. These were supposed to be the common property of all the children of Oduduwa. It is related orally that some of the property he could not take with him while leaving Ile-Ife he sent Ajija to bring them for him.
OWA OF IDANRE:
Idanre people lived in caves, safeguarded by the protective charms of Olofin. Olofin lived with the Idanre people at Utaja for about forty years. Seeing that he was getting too old and could travel no further, he eventually died in a cave at Utaja-Idanre called Uwo-Akota, meaning the cave of wasps. Relics that are claimed to have belonged to Olofin remain in the cave until this day. Uwo Akota was located on the West side of Utaja at the foot of Aghagha Hill on the Eastern path to Oke Idanre.
Olofin Aremitan was succeeded by his lieutenant Agboogun who inherited all his properties as well as the old enemies. Agboogun was the armour bearer of Olofin and his name indeed makes reference to this; “Agberu Ogun” means he who carries his master’s tools of war. Agboogun sought to protect his people from invasion by surrounding enemies and decided to relocate his community from the foot of the hills to Oke-idanre, the top of the hills. In those days, the new settlement was called, “Ufe Oke,” which loosely translates to ‘Ife atop the hills’, thus providing some connection to ancient Ile-Ife.
One of Agboogun’s lieutenants was an explorer and hunter named Egunren and it was he who sought out the ideal location for the Idanre people to reside at Idanre Hills. Agboogun feared for the safety of his people in the valleys, where it was easy for other tribes to raid and enslave the people. He thus met with his followers, who were split into several groups, to deliberate on a more secure place to settle for the Makanres (Idanre people). These groups included Logunro, who led the Urowo people, Asalu who led the Usalu people, and Jemiken, who led the Udale people. One of these followers was a hunter called Egunren, who had gone up Aghagha hill on one of his hunting expeditions.
He reported that he had found a secure location up in the hills, where enemies could not easily attack. Agboogun led his followers to Oke Idanre, where they first settled the Oba at a place named Usalu up in the hills. However, this region was thought to be too exposed, so another location was chosen, close to Egunren, “the hunter’s cave”, where the people would mobilise; presumable under the lead of Egunren who was the leading warrior.
Agboogun settled at Odeja. The building of the palace took over 30 years to construct. As he was getting old, he decided to relinquish the palace on to his son, Baganju, on the condition that he would perform rites at Odeja for his father after the former’s death. Baganju was thus the first Owa to occupy the old palace at Oke Idanre. However, the traditional accounts are generally in agreement in considering Agboogun the first Owa of Idanre up in Idanre Hills, with Baganju as the second.
Oke Idanre hill consists of high plain with spectacular valleys interspersed with inselbergs of about 3,000 ft above sea level. Its physical attributes include Owa’s Palace, Shrines, Old Court, Belfry, Agbooogun foot print, thunder water (Omi Apaara) and burial mounds and grounds. It also has diverse and variegated eco-systems of flora and fauna. Oke Idanre contains very important bio-physical and land form features whose interaction with the physical features created an enduring cultural landscape within the setting.
One of the most delightful meals enjoyed by Makanres, whether at home in Idanre or in diaspora is “Iyan” (pounded yam) and “efo riro” (vegetable stew). This is a meal that is common to many of the Yoruba tribes in western Nigeria. Pounded yam can be eaten with a variety of stews including “Ila” (okro), “Egusi” (melon soup), “Gbegiri” (ground beans soup) and “Ewedu” (another type of vegetable). These stews often include an assortment of meats such as chicken, fish, beef, lamb amongst others.
Another meal enjoyed by Idanre citizens is Pupuru. It is made from Cassava through a local fermentation, smoking and drying process that gives it a distinctive flavour, which distinguishes it from Garri, the other well-known delicacy produced from Cassava.
The local drink enjoyed by the indigenes is Palm Wine, which comes from the fermented sap of the palm tree.
Architecture:
Buildings in Idanre are a mix of old and modern architecture. Within the major town centres like Odode where you have the more affluent areas and the business enterprises, can be found some of the more modern cement and concrete structures. Many of the residential houses carry corrugated iron roofs. When you visit the villages however, you are likely to encounter mud brick buildings and the occasional throwback to huts with thatched roofs.
Festivals:
Like many other cities and townships in Yorubaland, Idanre has a variety of festivals. Several of these are based on the ancestral history and traditional religions of the Yorubas and are done to celebrate the various demigods who played notable parts in the history of the Yorubas.
The festivals celebrated in Idanre include the following:
1. New Yam Festival
One of Agboogun’s lieutenants was an explorer and hunter named Egunren and it was he who sought out the ideal location for the Idanre people to reside at Idanre Hills. Agboogun feared for the safety of his people in the valleys, where it was easy for other tribes to raid and enslave the people. He thus met with his followers, who were split into several groups, to deliberate on a more secure place to settle for the Makanres (Idanre people). These groups included Logunro, who led the Urowo people, Asalu who led the Usalu people, and Jemiken, who led the Udale people. One of these followers was a hunter called Egunren, who had gone up Aghagha hill on one of his hunting expeditions.
He reported that he had found a secure location up in the hills, where enemies could not easily attack. Agboogun led his followers to Oke Idanre, where they first settled the Oba at a place named Usalu up in the hills. However, this region was thought to be too exposed, so another location was chosen, close to Egunren, “the hunter’s cave”, where the people would mobilise; presumable under the lead of Egunren who was the leading warrior.
Agboogun settled at Odeja. The building of the palace took over 30 years to construct. As he was getting old, he decided to relinquish the palace on to his son, Baganju, on the condition that he would perform rites at Odeja for his father after the former’s death. Baganju was thus the first Owa to occupy the old palace at Oke Idanre. However, the traditional accounts are generally in agreement in considering Agboogun the first Owa of Idanre up in Idanre Hills, with Baganju as the second.
Oke Idanre hill consists of high plain with spectacular valleys interspersed with inselbergs of about 3,000 ft above sea level. Its physical attributes include Owa’s Palace, Shrines, Old Court, Belfry, Agbooogun foot print, thunder water (Omi Apaara) and burial mounds and grounds. It also has diverse and variegated eco-systems of flora and fauna. Oke Idanre contains very important bio-physical and land form features whose interaction with the physical features created an enduring cultural landscape within the setting.
One of the most delightful meals enjoyed by Makanres, whether at home in Idanre or in diaspora is “Iyan” (pounded yam) and “efo riro” (vegetable stew). This is a meal that is common to many of the Yoruba tribes in western Nigeria. Pounded yam can be eaten with a variety of stews including “Ila” (okro), “Egusi” (melon soup), “Gbegiri” (ground beans soup) and “Ewedu” (another type of vegetable). These stews often include an assortment of meats such as chicken, fish, beef, lamb amongst others.
Another meal enjoyed by Idanre citizens is Pupuru. It is made from Cassava through a local fermentation, smoking and drying process that gives it a distinctive flavour, which distinguishes it from Garri, the other well-known delicacy produced from Cassava.
The local drink enjoyed by the indigenes is Palm Wine, which comes from the fermented sap of the palm tree.
Architecture:
Buildings in Idanre are a mix of old and modern architecture. Within the major town centres like Odode where you have the more affluent areas and the business enterprises, can be found some of the more modern cement and concrete structures. Many of the residential houses carry corrugated iron roofs. When you visit the villages however, you are likely to encounter mud brick buildings and the occasional throwback to huts with thatched roofs.
Festivals:
Like many other cities and townships in Yorubaland, Idanre has a variety of festivals. Several of these are based on the ancestral history and traditional religions of the Yorubas and are done to celebrate the various demigods who played notable parts in the history of the Yorubas.
The festivals celebrated in Idanre include the following:
1. New Yam Festival
2. Olofin
3. Orosun
4. Ogun
5. Ulesun
6. Agheregbe
7. Osu Ifa
8. Osu Ise
9. Mare
The introduction of Christianity has played a part in the evolution of how the various festivals are conducted in Idanre and the rest of Yorubaland.
These festivals have evolved over the centuries from being celebrated with human sacrifices to appease the local gods, to modern day sacrifices of animals, occasions for merriment and get-togethers with families and friends.
Idanre Anthem Yoruba Version:
Igi po nigbo
Ka too yan bi laayo
Kibi ma se opo
K'opoo ma ye'le da nu
Iji ma se wo'gi ragaji k'eye r'ohun ba le
K'ibi ma s'Oloja Idanre
K'Owa jifa oye o!
Bee ni ko ri!
Bee ni ko ri!!
Bee ni ko ri!!!
Bee ni ko ri!!!!
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955
3. Orosun
4. Ogun
5. Ulesun
6. Agheregbe
7. Osu Ifa
8. Osu Ise
9. Mare
The introduction of Christianity has played a part in the evolution of how the various festivals are conducted in Idanre and the rest of Yorubaland.
These festivals have evolved over the centuries from being celebrated with human sacrifices to appease the local gods, to modern day sacrifices of animals, occasions for merriment and get-togethers with families and friends.
Idanre Anthem Yoruba Version:
Igi po nigbo
Ka too yan bi laayo
Kibi ma se opo
K'opoo ma ye'le da nu
Iji ma se wo'gi ragaji k'eye r'ohun ba le
K'ibi ma s'Oloja Idanre
K'Owa jifa oye o!
Bee ni ko ri!
Bee ni ko ri!!
Bee ni ko ri!!!
Bee ni ko ri!!!!
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955
