The origins Of Oyo lie with … THE OLD OYO EMPIRE From the 12th to the Late 18th century, the Oyo Empire grew to become the largest in West African. It is worth noting that although Old Oyo collapsed in 1830's, The Alaffin of Oyo was still recognized by some Yoruba states like Ibadan as the nominal head of all the former parts of the empire (sort of how the Japanese emperor was head of the state in Shogunate Japan but had little real influence) although in reality the Alaffin wielded little power outside his city. These invasions, reaching ever further south by the 19th century CE, caused severe disruption to Oyo’s trade and highlighted the inherent weakness in the Oyo political setup. theories and related literature. History has it in profile that Alaafin Labisi collected tributes from faraway kingdoms of Dahomey, Popo and Ashanti even though his reign was very short, and more than half of the kingdoms and villages in Yorubaland (over 6000) fell under the political umbrella of … The Oyo benefitted most from the savannah regions, which facilitated easy movement and trade contacts with neighbouring states. This difference was not resolved until the alaafin Abiodun (reigned c. 1770–89) conquered his opponents in a bitter civil war and pursued a policy of economic development based primarily on the coastal trade with European merchants. The trade in humanity was so large that this part of Africa became known simply as the ‘Slave Coast’. Oyo empire, Yoruba state north of Lagos, in present-day southwestern Nigeria, that dominated, during its apogee (1650–1750), most of the states between the Volta River in the west and the Niger River in the east. The Oyo Kingdom, as with other states of the Yoruba people in the southern coastal area of West Africa (modern Nigeria), claimed descent from an exiled king of Ife (11-15th century CE). Updates? Although the Fulani intrusion into Ilorin largely contributed to the collapse of the. His successor, Alaafin Awole, inherited local revolts, an administration tenuously maintained by a complex system of public service, and a decline in the power of tributary chiefs. History has it that the empire was created by Oranmiyan, the grandson of Oduduwa,. During the 17th century, Oyo began a long stretch of growth, becoming a major empire. Thus, until the collapse of the Oyo empire in the early 19th century, its dominance and commercial links with different parts of the world provided the basis for stability that protected Yorubaland from aggression or untoward experiences. "Oyo Empire." Ogbomoso stands at the confluence of several historical juncture, from Yoruba to Nigeria. The major … Oranmiyan founded the Oyo nation after establishing the bini dynasty, making him the first Alaafin (ruler) of the Oyo kingdom. It stretched from parts of the Republic of Benin in the west to the southwest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the east. Ancient History Encyclopedia. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Of the seven Ibarapas (Ibarapa mejeje), this abode cannot be ignored. As with the states which prospered throughout the second millennium CE in the region, the Oyo Empire exploited local resources such as okra, yams, dates, palm oil, and fish. Both the Owu in the south and Ede to the southeast became vassal states of Oyo as the empire reached its peak from the first half of the 17th century CE, eventually conquering 13 rival kingdoms. Although archaeology has yet to discover concrete connections between the various successive states of what is today Nigeria, oral traditions, such as those in the Kingdom of Benin (13-19th century CE), located just to the east of Oyo, tell of a king of Ife who not only sent a prince to rule other areas of the region but also sent a master craftsman to spread his sculptural skills. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Oyo-empire, Oyo Kingdom - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Oyo Empire - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Cite This Work c.1210– ORANYAN (Oranmiyan) Oyo-Ile was founded. They re-established Oyo as more centralized and expansive than ever. An impressive carved granite column from Ife stands 5.5 metres (18 ft.) tall and is known as the Opa Oranmiyan or ‘staff of Oranmiyan’. The Oyo kingdom is located in the south of the actual territory of Nigeria. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 02 Apr 2020. 2.1 ELEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN OYO The concept of heritage connotes legacy from the past, what people live with today, and what they intend passing on to the future generations. Although archaeology has yet to discover concrete connections between the various successive states of what is today Nigeria, oral traditions, such as those in the Kingdom of Benin (13-19th century CE), located just to the east of Oyo, tell of a king of Ife who not only sent a prince to rule other areas of the region but also sent a mast… Despite an oral tradition that minimises the Oyo’s involvement in the slave trade, the Oyo Empire certainly used slaves within its own state structures - many officials in the administration and military, for example, were of slave origin - much more so than in other states in the region. The area of what is today the state of Nigeria became a British colony in 1861 CE, and in 1900 CE the protectorates of North and South Nigeria were formed. Oyo was invaded by the newly risen Fon of Dahomey, and soon after 1800 it was captured by militant Fulani Muslims from Hausaland in the northeast. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Linguistic evidence suggests that two waves of immigrants came into Yorubaland between 700 and 1000, the second settling at Oyo in the open country north of the Guinea forest. According to Wikipedia, the Oyo Empire was the Empire of Yoruba of what is now Western, northern central Nigeria and the northern part of the Fon kingdom in the present Benin Republic.Oyo was founded in the 15th century and became one of the largest West African kingdoms (states). From its capital city at Oyo- Ile, this weak state in the early 1500s, had by 1550 conquered two neighboring … Oyo Empire. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. About 1774 they gave the throne to a king, Abiodun, who escaped from their control and used provincial forces to establish royal authority…. He was said to have headed his brothers (other Yoruba kings) on an abortive expedition to the east to avenge the death of their father. The kingdom of Oyo, also known as the Oyo Empire, is a West African monarchy, that at its peak, covered 270,000 square kilometres (1). "Oyo Empire." Wooden Figure, Oyo Empireby The British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA). The Fulani pressure on the northern Yoruba states resulted in a southward population movement, which generated most of the civil wars that plagued Yorubaland throughout the 19th century and completed the disintegration of the Oyo Empire. Oyo like all African states on the coast engage in the slave trade. Oyo and Dahomey were at war between 1726 and 1730 CE, a conflict which the Oyo Empire eventually won. In return, the Oyo received European goods which they could use themselves or trade with neighbouring states. Oyo rose to become the most important city state, surpassing Ife during the 1300s. There are many myths and legends associated with the foundation of the Empire and the infiltration of Oduduwa into Ile-Ife. It rose through the outstanding organizational and administrative skills of the Yoruba people, wealth gained from trade and its powerful cavalry. At present very little is known about the early history of the state. In oral traditions, the founder of the Oyo state was one Oranmiyan (aka Oranyan), son of Oduduwa, the founder of Ife. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. By the late 16th century CE, the Portuguese were joined by the British, French, and Dutch, eager to obtain a slice of the lucrative regional trade. The principal settlements of the Oyo were in and around Ife, the old capital of the Ife Kingdom, Old Oyo (aka Oyo Ile or Katunga), Kusu and Igboho. Oranmiyan was the first king and the founder of the Oyo empire. The Oyo Empire (1600 … History of Oyo Town and Oyo Empire Oyo is a city in Oyo State, Nigeria, founded as the capital of the Oyo Kingdom in the 1830s and known to its people as 'New Oyo' (Ọyọ Atiba) to distinguish it from the former capital to the north, 'Old Oyo' (Ọyọ-Ile), which had been deserted as a result of rumors of war. 1700 (CC BY-SA 3.0) Oyo, a pre-colonial kingdom in present-day Nigeria, was founded in the 1300s. The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire, and the Largest empire ever existed in West Africa, occupying most of what’s is today Southern Nigeria, expanding its territory to the nearby Republic of Benin. The Oyo Empire might have achieved regional dominance but a much bigger power was slowly moving itself into position far to the north. The origin of Oyo Empire lies with Oranmiyan, the second prince of the Yoruba Kingdom of lle-lfe. This was particularly true for the coastal areas which had a longstanding trade relationship with European sailing vessels. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Being in the savannah proved beneficial, as Oyo could use horses, which were unable to live farther south (due to the tsetse fly). c.1210– ORANYAN (Oranmiyan) Oyo-Ile was founded. The Oyo empire grew to be the largest of the Yoruba states, it rose through the outstanding organisational and administratyive skill of the Yoruba people. The Oyo king, the Alafin, had already been in conflict with both the state’s ruling council of elders, the Oyo Mesi, and the military leader, the bashorun (who also led the Oyo Mesi). Oyo empire was a yoruba empire covering distance over the southwest zone and the western half of northcentral zone of the today Nigeria. April 21, 2020 Skillz ARTICLES 0. Through this process of cultural transfer, the Oyo inherited a long cultural tradition which stretched right back the Nok Culture of ancient Nigeria (5th century BCE to 2nd century CE). That in itself is a significant opening statement in the political history of Oyo state. Last modified April 02, 2020. This situation and the loose control of vassal states meant that the Oyo Empire was really a house of cards awaiting the winds of change. Iron-smelting technology permitted the production of iron tools and weapons while traded goods included kola nuts, pepper, ivory, gold and slaves. THE HISTORY OF OLD OYO EMPIRE (OYO-ILE) WhatsApp us or visit our Website now THE PERIOD BEFORE 1500A.D The Oyo Alaafin is an integral portion of the Yoruba nation that descended from the historical figure, Oduduwa or Olofin. The documented history of the Yoruba people begins with the Oyo Empire, which became dominant in the early 17th century. Oyo never encompassed all Yoruba-speaking people, but it was the most populous kingdom in Yoruba history. Culture, Politics, and Money Among the Yoruba, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Although the Oyo did not form many large towns of note, rulers were able to forge a small empire thanks to their fearsome cavalry and archers - both a result of their commercial tentacles reaching as far north as the trans-Saharan trade routes. The Ancient History of the Old Oyo Empire. Naturally, other regional powers were also anxious to control trade routes, notably the Kingdom of Dahomey to the west. The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire, and the Largest empire ever existed in West Africa, occupying most of what’s is today Southern Nigeria, expanding its territory to the nearby Republic of Benin. Below are the kings who had ruled one of the greatest empire in history. The power of Oyo was already growing by the end of the century, however, thanks to the alaafin Orompoto, who used the wealth derived from trade to establish a cavalry force and to maintain a trained army. https://www.ancient.eu/Oyo_Empire/. THE OYO EMPIRE. Unlike other Yoruba states, which were located in the forest area, Oyo was situated in woodland savannah. Established by Oranmiyan of the Yoruba people of West Africa, Oyo quickly grew to become one of the most powerful states in the Yoruba-speaking region. Law, Robin(1977). Early in the 16th century Oyo was a minor state, powerless before its northern neighbours Borgu and Nupe—by whom it was conquered in 1550. Mark is a history writer based in Italy. After 1730 CE, Dahomey consequently accepted the political authority of Oyo and the latter claimed some of the Dahomey coastal conquests, giving the empire its own direct access to the sea via the tributary state of Ajashe (aka Porto Novo). A map of the Oyo Empire which flourished in what is today southern Nigeria from the 17th to 19th century CE. Doubleday:New York, pp. Dr Catel discusses the yoruba people, in particular the Oyo empire. The Oyo Empire flourished from the 17th to 19th century CE in what is today southwest Nigeria. The Kingdom of Benin in the east was another formidable block to Oyo ambitions. The people created a government that established its power over a vast empire. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Culture is the totality of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by … Consequently, the kingdom expanded to include areas of the southwest and, in the savannah to the north, it acquired territory from its neighbours the Borgu and Nupe states. The first Oni of Ife was Oduduwa who gave birth to … By the 18th century CE half of the slaves taken from Africa came from the southern coast of West Africa, and the area controlled by the Oyo Empire, the Kingdom of Dahomey (c. 1600 - c. 1904 CE, modern Benin), and the Kingdom of Benin - the Bight of Benin - came to be widely known as simply the ‘Slave Coast’ (the ‘Gold Coast’, another lucrative trade hub, was further to the west). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. take a new look at the history of the Oyo Empire in the 18th century, and question the old view. The original kingdom, which was one of the complex of Yoruba states, was founded by Oranyan, an Ife prince, who is also believed to be the founder of the present Benin dynasty.5 Oyo started to be important towards the end … The old Oyo empire was a powerful force in the history of the yoruba race. Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 02 April 2020 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The two protectorates joined in 1914 CE, became a federation in 1954 CE, and finally gained independence in 1960 CE. Cartwright, Mark. The Oyo Empire flourished for over three hundred years. Related Content Abiodun’s neglect of everything but the economy weakened the army, and thus the means by which the central government maintained control. Revised 2nd ed. It expanded from the 16th to the 18th century to become the Oyo Empire, reaching its peak (around 47570km2) in the middle of the 18th century. Please help us create teaching materials on Mesopotamia (including several complete lessons with worksheets, activities, answers, essay questions, and more), which will be free to download for teachers all over the world. The Nupe did conquer Old Oyo around 1535 CE and held onto it until the Oyo kings regained it around 1610 CE. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. Oranmiyan was a very brave and warlike king. Books Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. The storm duly came in the 1820s CE in the form of the militant Muslim Fulani and, ultimately, the northern part of the Oyo Empire, Ilorin, was conquered to become the Fulani Emirate of Ilorin, an outpost of the great Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1903 CE). This movement from Old Oyo to New Oyo effectively marked the end of the Oyo Empire. He was the son of Oduduwa. Omissions? As Oyo’s wealth increased, so did its leaders’ political options; some wished to concentrate on amassing wealth, while others advocated the use of wealth for territorial expansion. Interestingly, the Oyo also took cultural ideas, not just land from its rivals, notably adopting the prominent ancestor worship of the Nupe into their own religious practices. Its inhabitants are mostly of the Yoruba people, and its ceremonial ruler is the Alaafin of Oyo. Early in the 16th century Oyo was a minor state, powerless before its northern neighbours Borgu and Nupe—by whom it was conquered in 1550. The '''Oyo Empire''' was a Yoruba empire of what is today Western and North central Nigeria. Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / History Of The Oyo Empire (34116 Views) Lies About Oyo Empire / Yoruba's After The Fall Of Oyo Empire / Oyo Empire - 1300CE (2) Re: History Of The Oyo Empire by sammyjay3(m): 1:50pm On Jul 03, 2014; koastar: Where are you getting your history from? The same was true for the Ekiti who dwelt in the hills bordering the far northern stretch of Oyo lands. According to traditions, Oyo derived from a great Yoruba ancestor and hero, Oduduwa, who likely migrated to Ile-Ife and whose son became the first alaafin (alafin), or ruler, of Oyo. The motivation for this territorial expansion was to gain control of the lucrative regional trade routes along which salt, gold, and slaves were transported. The 18th century CE had already seen an expansion of the northern Islamic states who had embarked on a holy war to spread their faith. The consequence of this political decline for the Yoruba peoples was catastrophic as they had largely avoided being made slaves up to that point but were now by far the majority of those captured and shipped to the Americas until the slave trade ended here in the 1850s CE. Shillington, Kevin (2005). Page 1 of 50 - About 500 essays. The Oyo Empire was a powerful Yoruba state in the modern country of Nigeria. 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