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| Ariel View Ondo City | Image Credit: Getty images |
This is the complete history of Ondo Kingdom and their rich cultural heritage. This article traces the origin of Ondo Kingdom in Ondo City and the inhabitants.
This is the origin of Ondo Kingdom and Osemawe:
The historical lines of Ondo-Ekimogun originated from the Palace of Alaafin of Oyo in the ancient city of Oyo, when the wife of Alaafin, Oba Oluaso bore him twins; a male called Orere and a female also called Olu which is forbidden in the palace of every Monarch in the then Yoruba land.
Till today, Oyo is still regarded as the origin of Yorubas, while the Alaafin of Oyo is the political monarch of all Kings in the Yoruba land.
The then Alafin of Oyo loved the twins mother called Olori OLu so much, so, on hearing the news of the twins, he lamented that this is a mysterious child - "ese-omo-re" which later transform to "Osemawe" as Oba's title in Ondo kingdom till today.
The Alafin, Oba Oluaso ordered that the twins and their mother be taken out of Oyo City, he also gave instruction that one stroke of facial mark should be cut on each cheek of the twins as "kese" or "ibaramu" mark will cause agony for them on their journey.
The single facial stroke mark became an established custom in Ondo city till today, as it is rear to see a core Ondo indegent without the facial tribal mark. One of the core and notable Ondo sons is the popular award winning Musician - King Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as "Sunny Ade".
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| King Sunny Ade | Photo credit: Getty images |
While on their journey, Olori Olu and the twins were accompanied by the Alafin of Oyo warrior's leader called "ija" or " Uja" (The 'i" sound is usually pronounced as "U" in Ondo dialect), to a place called Epin in the then Fulani kingdom. Though, they later returned to Oyo after the death of Alafin Oba Oluaso in 1497 AD. The new Alafin, Oba Onigbogi also ordered them out of Oyo in 1498 AD with Alaafin warrior leader to the direction of Ile-Ife, (The place regarded as ancestral home of Yorubas, headed by Ooni of Ile-Ife)
They continued the journey until they reached a place called "Ita Ijama", from where they also arrived at Epe where Iyanghede of Epe received them with joy. This is how Ondos are eulogized today as "Ekimogun, ara ita ijama, a fi agogo ide m'omi".
After a brief stay at Epe land, they desired to look for a permanent settlement. As they left Epe, they arrived at a place which is today called "Ile Oluji"- It is less than 20 minutes drive to Ondo City. The name "Ile Oluji" came up after Olori Olu- Alafin's wife slept for days and did not wake up "Ile ti Olu sun ti ko ji".
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| Osemawe Palace On Goggle Map | Image Credit: Google |
After another short stay, Olori Olu and Princess Olu- the female twins left the town with one Ogunja from Epe, leaving Prince Orere behind in Ile oluji and continued a journey until it ended at the foot of a hill known in Ondo up to the present day as "Oke Agunla." Oke Agunla is less than 5 mins drive to the current Palace of Òsèmawe of Ondo Kingdom. The Oke Agunla is also why Ondos are referred today as "Opon inu odi Ogunja." At the hill, they spotted a smoke rising from below, they then followed in that direction down the hill and met a man whose named was Ekiri; neither farmer nor a hunter.
Ekiri later lead them to a place called Oriden, where they tried to stick their yam stick unto the ground to prove futile as instructed by an Ifa Oracle before they left Epe.
They were happy and exclaimed "Edo du do to Edo do to Idi edo" and finally transform to Ondo in 1510 AD. Princess Olu, the female twin finally became first Oba Pupupu of Ondo in 1516 AD. While Prince Orere, the male twins became the first Jegun of Ile Oluji.
Origin of religion in Ondo City/town:
The Ondos embraced Roman Catholic Christianity in 1875 under the CMS Missionary worker- Rev. Bishop Phillips and accepted by Oba Ayibikitiwodi; while Oba Jimekun accepted the CMS Anglican Communion in 1884 and Islam in 1888.
The first Ondo Rev. Father John Akinwale was ordained in 1947, while the first Ondo Anglican Bishop was Rev. D.O. Awosika and Rev. T.O. Olufosoye was the first Archbishop of the Anglican communion of Nigeria; while Alhaji Muhammed Alimi was installed the first Imam of Ondo in 1888.
Ondo Kingdom has many Cultural events they celebrate yearly, Some of them include:
1. Odun Oba Festival:
This festival is performed by the King and his Chiefs to celebrate the kingship lineage and also to allow the Prince and princess greet the King.
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| Ondo Chiefs during Odun Oba Festival | Photo Credit: Facebook - Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
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| Ondo Chiefs during Odun Oba Festival | Photo Credit: Facebook - Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
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| HRM Oba Victor Kiladejo And His Wife during Odun Oba Festival | Photo Credit: Facebook - Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
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| FL: Wife of former Ondo State Governor- Olufunke Mimiko, Former Ondo State Governor- Olusegun Mimiko, HRM Oba Victor Kiladejo, jillo III, Olori Kiladejo | Photo Credit: Facebook - FFC |
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| Oba Kiladejo during a festival outing | Photo Credit: Facebook - Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
2. Odun Ogun Festival
This festival is largely celebrated by Citizens of Ondo Kingdom. It's a day to warship, appreciate and appease Ogun - god of Iron deity.
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| Ogun worshippers in Ondo City | Photo Credit: Facebook - Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
Get farmiliar with Ondo Kingdom With The Epic Ogun Festival more.
3. Ekimogun Day:
This is a popular celebration in Ondo Kingdom. It is a day celebrated to bring all sons and daughters of Ondo Kingdom; home and diasporas together to celebrate their culture. On this day, various Cultural troops will perform while Ondo people put on various traditional attires to mark the day.
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| Ondo Culture Heritage Attires, Cloths (Aso Oke) And Beads (uleke) | Photo Credit: Instagram - Ondo Diary |
Ondo Kingdom also celebrate some exclusive festivals like: Odun Moko, where females will stay in door from dawn till dusk; Odun opepee, among others.
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| Ondo people while dancing Obitun Cultural Dance In Ondo Kingdom | Photo Credit: Instagram - Ondo Diary |
The Ondo warriors of that time are Ago, Taagba and Jomu-lila known as Jomu till today and that chieftaincy title is family hereditary. The current Jomu is High Chief Ambrose Boluwaji Akinsade.
History of Osemawe Palace in Ondo Town:
The first Osemawe palace was built by Oba Airo, first son of Oba Pupupu who became Oba in 1530 AD. Oba Adeuga Fidipote 11 built the first modern palace in Ondo when he became Oba in 1935 AD, while Oba Festus Ibidapo Adesanoye- Osungbedelola II built the best recent Oba's palace located at the heart of Ondo Kingdom when he became the 43rd Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom in 1992. The current King is Oba Dr. Victory Adesumbo Ademefun Aderele Kiladejo, Jillo III.
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| Entrance gate to Osemawe Palace | Photo Credit: Getty Images |
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| Late Ondo King Festus Ibidapo (1930-2006) | Photo Credit: Getty Images |
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| Current Ondo Monarch, Oba kiladejo, 2006 till Date | Photo Credit; The Punch |
Here are Ondo chieftaincy Titles:
The Ondo chieftaincy title are The Iwarefa - (The six High Chiefs: Jomu, Sasere, Odunwo, Lisa, Adaja and Odofin), Ukule, Elegbe, Otu headed by the His Highness Osemawe. While the Upojis- female chiefs headed by the Her Highness, Olobun Oba Obirin in Ondo Kingdom.
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| The Ukule Chiefs During A Cultural Odun Oba Festival | Image credit: Adeyemi Tiwalade {Adecocoa} |
History made it known that Ondo had only one Female Monarch - Oba Pupupu. She was dethroned after she left her Chiefs while in a crucial meeting and went to pack her chickens. Till today, a female never become Monarch in Ondo Kingdom.
But, to make the female more relevant, the title of "Olobun" - Oba Obirin was created and headed by a Female till today.
Major occupations of Ondo People:
The Ondos are known to be Farmers and Marchants. Ondos produce more Cocoa after Idanre Town. Their staple food is Iyan (Pounded Yam), made from yam and they have their own peculiar dialect and very hard working. It must be noted however that Ondo emigrants settlers also founded towns like Igbado, Igbindo, Ajue, Agbabu, Odowo, Igburowo, Odigbo, Oro, Imorun, Ilu Nla, Erinla, Igunshin, Araromi, Araromi Obu, Ajebandele, Oboto, Bolorunduro, Fagbo, lake, Tekuile, Owena, Oke-Opa, Aiyesan, Oka, Oke-igbo and etc.
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| Map of Ondo State | Google Map |
Ondo People are very accommodating and friendly. Though, they are also very stubborn. Ondo People also love eating Dogs, known as 404. They do use both Dog and Goat meat for "Asùn" - a cooked meat with pepper and onion; it could be roasted or boiled after roasting. Arguably, Ondos do say Dog meat is sweeter than Goat Meat.
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| Dogs displayed for Sale in Ondo | Image credit: Getty Images |
When you meet one Ondo indigene next time, tell him "Le o Omo'ndo Ekimogun".