Ogbomosho
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Ogbomosho | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Oyo State |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,200,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT (UTC+1)) |
Ogbomosho (also Ogbomoṣho) is a city in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria, on the A1 highway. It was founded in the mid 17th century.[1] The population was approximately 645,000 as of 1991;[2] as of March 2005, it is estimated at around 1,200,000.[3]
The majority of the people are members of the Yoruba ethnic group. Yams, cassava, maize, and tobacco are some of the notable agricultural products of the region.[2]
Ogbomosholand
"Ogbomosho in 1891 was a walled city, the gates of which were closely watched by day and securely closed by night. There was little or no communication between it and Oyo and Ilorin which were only thirty miles to the north and south. The town, pictureque and well watered was isolated from the rest of the Yoruba towns. Political relations were maintained with the Ibadans, for the country depended on its security on the warriors of Ogbomosho and Ikirun... The strength of Ogbomosho lay in the wall and moat surrounding the town, and the warriors made full use of it by sitting close and tight.." - Rev. S. G. Pinnock was pioneer Baptist Missionary who recorded his travel in The Romance of Missions in Nigeria
History
Ogunlola was of Ibariba descent. He came to the area now known as Ogbomoso in pursuit of his hunting profession. He stayed under ajagbon tree (still by the side of the palace) and used the branches for hanging gears. The whole place was at this time (around the middle of the seventeenth century), a dense jungle. He Ogunlola was an expert archer and brave hunter. Later he and his wife, Eshu, built their hut by the side of the ajagbon tree.
Ogunlola noticed smoke oozing from some nearby locations. He took courage and approached these places and discovered other hunters. The first one named Aale at a site now called Oke-Elerin quarters, the second called Onsile at the site now known as Ijeru quarters, the third Orisatolu at Isapa quarters and the fourth Akande quarters. The descendants of the first three of these hunters are still today the Bales of Oke-elerin, Ijeru and Isapa quarters respectively. There is no more Bale Akandie.
Lorungbekun was a very fierce man. Eshu feared what might be her fate whenever she offended her husband; particularly when there was no one near their hut to act as check on him. She therefore designed a mound near the hut and by consensus they decided that whenever Ogunlola wanted to beat up Eshu, if she could escape and embrace the mound, whatever the nature of the offence, he must spare her.
This mound is named Lorungbekun (Olorun-gbo-Ekun) and is still within the Abata enclosure in the palace. The term of the agreement is Egbe Alongo (Alongo Society)
Ogunlola, after the discovery of these hunters, took the initiative to invite them to form the Alongo Society. The Primary objectives of the society were defence against Sunmoni (slave prowler) raids, group hunting of wild animals, and mutual assistance.
At the take off of the society. Ogunlola was, made the chairman. After each day’s hunting, they retired to Ogunlola’s hut where they were treated to beans and other meals and were served with sekete wine brewed by Ogunlola’s wife from fermented guinea corn. They also engaged in discussing current affairs and planning.
Later, other settlers came and built their thus and huts formed the nucleus of a small village. Ogunlola‘s hut became the place for setting disputes and other matters. He, Ogulola had the final say. The groups of huts being on the north-south highway from Oyo-ile became popular as aroje (a place to stop for refreshment and other ‘knick-knack’ by travellers).
During the time the Ibaribas under the leadership of Elemoso attacked Oyo-Ile near Ilorin, Ogunlola was already in detention there, awaiting trial for an alleged offence. Elemooso caused a devastating havoc among Oyo’s so much that they feared him in battle. Elemoso consequently laid total siege on Oyo causing famine and untold hardship among the people. Ogunlola therefore, told the Alaafin that if he could be released, he would kill Elemoso. This was granted and Ogunlola was shown where
Ogunlola after studying Elemaso’s tactics took proper aim and shot him down from his hiding place Ogunlola quickly beheaded him and brought the severed head to the Alaafin. Elemeso’s army was therefore routed.
Alaafin was so impressed by Ogunlola’s prowess that he, the Alaafin, requested him to stay in the capital Oyo-Ile instead of returning to his settlement.
Later, travellers passing to and fro, used to refer to the settlement as of him who beheaded Elemaso meaning “ìdó ẹni tí ó gb’Ẹ́lẹ́mọ̀sọ́”. This was later contracted to Ogbomosho and finally to Ogbomosho.
Eventually the authority of Ogunlola became greater and more respected. He was consequently made the head of the settlement under the title of Sohun to reflect his request from the Alaafin, ‘let me stay yonder’. His compound by the Ajagbon tree then became the Soun’s palace and a rallying point for all Ogbomosho citizens.
Ogbomosho, because of her strategic location, quickly grew from a village status to a medium size town. Her people were also renown warriors. During the Fulani wars of the 19th century many towns and villages, about 147, were deserted while their people took refuge in Ogbomosho. The influx of people further enhanced the size and strength of the town.
The title sohun was not never the original title of kings in Ogbomosho it was changed from ogbori elemoso of ogbomoso to sohun
Orisapopo
Esuu, the wife of Ogunlola introduced the worship of Orisapopon to Ogbomosho. This object of worship is the same as Orisala and is worshipped in different towns under different names. The worshippers are distinguished by white beads worn round their necks and wearing only white dresses. Drinking of palmwine is forbidden to them. The mane orisapopo was probably derived from the fact that Ogunlola’s hut was on the north-south route therefore the Orisala being worshipped in the hut was name “Orisapopo” (idol by the highway).
The importance and influence of ‘Orisapopo’ among the citizens of Ogbomosho is immense. It can be described as the patron “Orisa” of Ogbomoso.
Georgraphy
Ogbomoso is located on Latitude 8o 08’ 00” and Longitude of 4o 16’ 00” North of the Equator. Ogbomoso, the second largest City in Oyo State after Ibadan, which is the Capital of Oyo State, lies within the derived savannah region and it is a gateway to Northern part of Nigeria from the West. Ogbomoso is 57 Kilometers South West of Ilorin (the Capital of Kwara State) 53 Kilometers North – East of Oyo, 58 Kilometers North – West of Osogbo (Capital of Osun State) and 104 Kilometers North – East of Ibadan (Capital of Oyo State)
Climate
Ogbomoso has the Tropical wet and dry climate as it falls in the transition zone between the rain forest and the savannah. The region experiences a fairly high uniform temperature, moderate to heavy seasonal rainfall. The mean annual Temperature is about 26.20o C and the mean annual rainfall of 1200mm. The relative humidity is within the range 75 – 95%
Vegetation
Ogbomoso lies in the transition zone forest of Ibadan Geographical region and the northern savanna region. As a result of this, derived savanna vegetation predominates. The Town is a low land forest area and agricultural is the main activity.
Geology and Soil type
Rocks of the basement complex, which forms part of the African crystalline shield, underlie Ogbomoso. The basement complex is composed major of folded Gneiss, Schist and Quartzite of the Precambrian age into which have been emplaced Charnokeotic rocks show a high level of variation as regards grain size and mineral composition.
Rainfall
Regions around and within Ogbomoso have four seasons like most of southern Nigeria. A long wet season is from March to July, and brings heavy rainfall and high humidity. The short dry season is normally in August. This is followed by a short wet season from September to October. The last season, harmattan, is at the end of November to mid March. Mean annual rainfall is 1-24mm. Variation in rainfall between different stations is significant, both annually and monthly.
Education
The first Primary School in Ogbomoso is St. Davids Primary School, Agboin Ogbomoso and it was founded in 1854. Today there are about three hundred and eleven public primary Schools established by the government, religious organizations, and various communities in Ogbomoso. This includes rural and urban schools. Ogbomoso has many private primary schools. Other educational institutions in Ogbomoso include public and private secondary schools, a private college of education (Best Legacy college of Education), various continuous education centers, the Baptist Nursing School, Baptist Theological Seminary, and a university (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology).
References
- ^ "Ogbomosho". Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
- ^ a b Chernow, Barbara A; George A. Vallasi, ed. (1993). "Ogbomosho". Columbia Encyclopedia (5th ed ed.). Columbia University Press. p. 1997. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|edition=has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ "History". ogbomosodiocese.org. Ogbomoso Missionary Diocese. Retrieved 2007-04-01.