Alaafin

Alaafin of Oyo as he is referred to is a powerful Yoruba monarch whose reign in the 17th to 18th centuries was vast. He ruled the Oyo Empire which extended from the present day Benin to Nigeria originating from states in the South East and West to the North. The people under him are called the Yoruba people and speak the Yoruba language.

The Alaafin of Oyo is said to according to Yoruba mythology and history is said to have originated from Oduduwa the progenitor of the Yoruba race.^[1] and present-day Oyo town of West Africa.^[2] It is "emperor" in the context of ruler of empire. He ruled the Oyo Empire, which extended from the present-day Benin republic to Nigeria, originating from states in the South East and West to the North. The individuals under him are Yoruba people who speak the Yoruba language. Yoruba is widely spoken in various regions, such as Egba, Ijebu, Ekiti, Ijesha, Ile-Ife, and Eko, each with its own minor dialects.

In mythology and history, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oranyan, is said to be son of [Oduduwa]. He migrated from Ile-Ife to Oyo, where he became the king and laid the foundation for Yoruba Civilization.^[1]. Ultimately, he returned to his origin, Ile-Ife, where he also ruled as king and eventually died.

The Alaafin and the Oyo Mesi formed the central government of the empire. Local provincial government was in the hands of oba (if crowned head) or bale (if not entitled to wear a crown).^[3] The relationship between the Alafin and the Obas was a feudal one, that is for his rule and protection, the Obas, the Baales and chiefs of vassal states owed him certain obligations.^[4] By the early 1800s.

The Present Alaafin of Oyo is His Imperial Majesty, Oba, Akeem Owoade I who succeeded the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin, The style used for Alaafins is Imperial Majesty.^[5]

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Alaafin

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