Reformed Ogboni Fraternity: Difference between revisions

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The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, also known as the R.O.F, is an international fraternal organization. It is commonly described by initiates as a syncretic blend of the Ogboni system of Yorubaland and the Freemasonry that is found in the Western World.

Early history

The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity was founded on the 18th of December, 1914. It was started as an alternative of the older Ogboni fraternity for practitioners of Christianity, and its founder was the Anglican cleric T.A.J. Ogunbiyi.

Founding members that joined him in starting the fraternity included Prince Orisadipe Obasa, his wife Princess Charlotte Blaize Obasa of the R.B. Blaize family, and Prince M. Akinsemoyin of the Akinsemoyin royal family. Prince Obasa was recognized by the founders as the first Oluwo, or master, in the same year.^[1]

Later history

By the 1930s, the R.O.F. had become a powerful entity. When the merchant prince Akomolafe Dada Eso joined in 1936, it was said that he

signified his point of arrival on the social scene at Ilesa in about 1936 when he joined the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.). This attempt by an Anglican pastor to reform the traditional Ogboni institution and make it acceptable to Christians and the educated elite quickly spread in many large urban areas and became one way in which the emergent elite tried to show themselves as modernizers. The R.O.F. was a kind of intercultural organization, based on a traditional secret society, "purged" of its pagan practices and echoing European freemasonry.^[2]

Although the fraternity was founded by and for Christians, it has since grown in scope, and its current membership is composed of members of different faiths.

Notable members

Notable members of the fraternity have included:^[3]^[4]^[5]

Sir Adeyemo Alakija (who served as Olori Oluwo, or grandmaster, of the fraternity)
Chief Ladoke Akintola
Sir Adetokunbo Ademola (who also served as Olori Oluwo)
King Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife
Sir Ladapo Ademola, the Alake of Egbaland
King George VI of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Dominions

References

^ Akintola, Akinbowale (1992), The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins and Interpretation of Its Doctrines and Symbolism, pp. 9 and 10
^ J.F. Ade.Ajayi and Yemi Akinseye-George (2002), Kayode Eso: The Making of a Judge, pp. 19 and 20
^ "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
^ Akintola 1992.
^ Anyebe 1999.

[1] Akintola, Akinbowale (1992), The Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (R.O.F.): The Origins and Interpretation of Its Doctrines and Symbolism, pp. 9 and 10

[2] J.F. Ade.Ajayi and Yemi Akinseye-George (2002), Kayode Eso: The Making of a Judge, pp. 19 and 20

[3] "Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity". Guardian.ng. Retrieved October 27, 2020.

[FOOTNOTEAkintola1992-4] Akintola 1992.

[FOOTNOTEAnyebe1999-5] Anyebe 1999.

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@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==Notable members==
 Notable members of the fraternity have included:<ref> {{cite web|URL=https://m.guardian.ng/news/nothing-secret-sinister-about-us-ogboni-fraternity/|website=Guardian.ng.|title=Nothing Secret, Sinister about us - Ogboni fraternity|accessdate=October 27, 2020}} </ref>{{sfn|Akintola|1992}}{{sfn|Anyebe|1999}}
-* Sir [[Adeyemo Alakija]]
+* Sir [[Adeyemo Alakija]] (who served as ''Olori Oluwo'', or [[Grandmaster|grandmaster]], of the fraternity)
 * Chief [[Ladoke Akintola]]
-* Sir [[Adetokunbo Ademola]]
+* Sir [[Adetokunbo Ademola]] (who also served as ''Olori Oluwo'')
 * King [[Olubuse II]], the [[Ooni of Ife]]
 * Sir [[Ladapo Ademola]], the [[Alake of Egbaland]]