Some Facts About Otan – Il
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At about 13th Century Prince Akindugba, one of the sons of Oduduwa left Ile-ife as other Princes did. He headed for Umayinyin (New Ijare) in Ondo State where he sojourned for a period. This was the third installation of Oodua of his Princes when each founded a kingdom outside ile-ife (See Ife Genesis of Yoruba Race by Dr. Fabumi p.30) his brother, OIwa Ajibogun had settled earlier before him at Ibokun establishing Ijesa Kingdom. Ajibogun realizing the war prowess of his brother Akindugba, did not want him too far away from him.
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On arrival of Otan-Ile. He Akindugba saw a footpath which he traced to Oloyo Stream on crossing to the side, he sawan old man Eleesu who wanted him to settle very near Him. Here he had been referred to as Baba Otan. He settled his two wives Otinhunmi and Olamoke and his children with Ajila. Ajila his host later realized Akiondugba’s royalty. When at night his velveteen throne sheet was spread, his beaded crown and staff (Opa Afole) were displayed. Ajila thereby shouted “Kabiyesi” as royal greetins. Ita Ajila is the seat of Oodoru (head of all masquerades) who normally gave the highest judgment especially capital punishment before colonial days and English laws became operative in Nigeria. The nes soon spread through the whole area and among all small settlement thereabout and they all recognized him Olotan as their Oba. Arigbolori’s house at Ajila is still accorded the honour of that first recognition and homage is still paid today whenever a new Olotan is installed.
There are many important Senior Chiefs in the Town like Obaala, Odofin Asao, Saloro, Risawe, Osunta, ejemu, Osolo, Lejoka, Saba, and a host of others. Among the women chief s also are Yeyesemure, Yeyerisa, Yeyedofin, Yeye Jumo and a host of others. Each came from various other towns in Yoruba land to settle with Olotan. Olotan of Otan –ile was father to Owa Otan Aiyegbaju formerly known as Otan Koto. Prince Olamodi who founded Otan – Aiyegbaju was the son of Oba Olotan Adegbola. Olotan of Otan-ile was also the father of Aragbiji, Oogbo his son was the First Aragbiji. There are Identical Chiefs, Streets and House – hold at Otan Aiyegbaju with those at Otan-ile, Otan Aiyegbaju being an offshoot of Otan ile
Otan –Ile took active part in Kiriji war and famous Warrior like Fakuyigbe, Lukotun, Ologun Odo, Oguntuyi and Agbeusi, Aipa Oge Era Lese were all from Otan – ile. The first Aafin (Palace) was at lmotin where Otinhunmi had her grave. The Latest and Present Aafin (Palace ) is now at the market place where we are celebrating on today. Places, of historical interest in the town include Ile Arigbolori, Olujoda, Ajila, Ile Odofin Ogboni, which are involved in the affairs of Olotan installation. Also places like Olua. Imotin (where and unfaithful new wife is dealth with traditionally. Igbo Igbale and Ile Orisa Inigbo. The traditional drums in town are Bata-Koto Gbedu (Royal Drum) I Agbe, Ipesi (Historical) drum that ushered in the first Olotan, Apiiri, Ibembe, Ugbin, Ilu Aje, Kenge.
The listed drums are used when most of the following festivals are observed.
1. Oroke Festival
2. Egungun Festival
3. Ifa Festiva
l 4. Ogun nFestival
5. Ore Festival
6. Sango / Orisa Oko Festival
7. Otin Festival
8. Orisa Inigbo
9. Agemo
10. Orisa Eleeta
11. Christian Festival
12. Muslim Festival.
Brief History of Olotan of Otan-Ile
Olotan of Ota-Ile in Obokun Local Government of Osun State is a direct Prince of Oduduwa – Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife.
Olotan of Otan-Ile was crowned at the same time with seventeen others – among them were Oloyo of Oyo (Alaafin) Awujale of Ijebu, Olowu of Owu – Abeokuta, Deji of Akure, Elekole of Ikole, Olowo of Owo, Owa Obokun among others.
Akenzua, Akindugba (1st Olotan) and Ajibogun, Owa of Ilesa (then) were all brothers of same stock; Akindugba being a senior brother to Ajibogun.
Olotan Akindugba, a notable warrior, gave Loobaro now Loro of Ilesa to Owa his junior brother to help Owa in case of wars as an adviser. As a warrior, he had no rival, no conqueror throughtout Yoruba land.
Olotan is a crown beaded Oba directly from Ile Ife. He brought with him while leaving Ile-Ife Opa Afole. His war emblem for conquest, beaded crown, beaded staff and beaded shoes, all royal apparels and are still preserved till date.
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Olotan of Otan-Ile allowed one of his princes to settle at Otan-Koto now known as Otan Aiyegbaju. This second Otan is an offshoot of Otan-Ile (Otan Odo-Ile) and she has identical history, customs, rites, ceremonies, taboos, streets and chieftaincy titles with Otan-Ile till today. Interaction, funerals all still held the two towns closely.
Olotan has a street in Benin-City till date to commemorate his royal sojourn briefly at Benin to help jointly with Owa Ajibogun to solve a royal problem as advised by Ifa oracle centuries ago.
Akindugba was immortalized at Igbo Oluwa a place for annual celebration by Omo Owas and the whole town, known as “Oroke festival”. The cave is preserved from fire incident, wanton cultivation and indiscriminate hunting for posterity. Children born if a fire accident should occur have ‘burn marks’ at various parts of their bodies.
All indigenes of Otan-Ile at home and abroad never eat or taste dog meat as forbidden by Olotan. This emanated from an incident of fire occurrence in the palace in the absence of all occupants and the watch dog carried the prince on his royal cloth (ite omode) to a nearby clinghill to save his life.
Olotan has first class chiefs – Iwarafa or Kingmakers, second class and third class chiefs as well as lower ranks called ‘Isogan, Jagunna and ‘Emeses’ who do not wear beads cultivated by Olotan. There are such grades and wearing of beads among women chiefs as well.
His descendants established both Otan Aiyegbaju and Iragbiji who both share similar customs and cultures with Otan-Ile.
Olotan as a beaded crown Oba has Ogbonis, Elegbes and Looguns under him for administrative purposes in the ancient town.
Olotan has a camp at Imesi-Ile during Yoruba inter-tribal wars. Lukotun and other warriors of note were immediate aides of Ogedengbe during Ekiti/Ijesa Parapo war against Oyos.
It is only recently, 19th Century precisely under British Rule that Otan-Ile came under the same District Officer with other Obas in Ijesaland. He was not under any Oba in the whole of Ijesaland originally and the Olotan’s shrine exists till today within the confines of the Ooni’s palace at Ile-Ife.
The present Olotan, His Royal majesty Oba Samuel Sunday Olatokun Fagberade (JP) is the 29th Olotan of Otan-Ile as enunciated by Dr.Fabunmi in Ile-Ife – Genesis of the Yorubas”
List Of Past Obas
OBA AKINDUGBA
OBA ALADE SOKE
OBA ADEGBOLE
OBA ADEGOKE
OBA ADEKUSIBE
OBA ADEYEYE
OBA ADEOSEBIKAN
OBA OLUWOLE OLODEAJIGBA
OBA ABARIBIRI ATELOJIKU
OBA ADEYANJU
OBA FATINNU I
OBA ADEYEMI
OBA ADEWOLE
OBA OLATUNJI FAGBEMIGUN I
OBA OJO ADEPOJU FAYINMINU II
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