The Mecca expedition of the 12th century into the jungles of West-Africa brought about an influx of a particular group of ancient men who,unable to operate any longer under the shadow of a new powerful religion Islam,sought solace in a new abode - Ile-Ife.It was a migration which brought about radical changes in the lives of the aboriginals who hitherto, had no structure.With their coming came a new culture and tradition, the introduction of the Old gods and a new form of religion,a new civilization and most importantly,a progenitor -- Oduduwa,the first King of Ife who birthed a new race now known as Yoruba.

Oduduwa not only set in motion, the train of a new civilization in Ile-Ife,also from his loins sprouted great kings and kingdoms across the Yorubalands even unto Dahomey and Togo.Rulers such as the Onipopos,Onisabes,Owa-Obokuns,the Obas in Benin and most importantly, the Alaafins,who through its founder Oranmiyan,later went on to establish the greatest empire in the history of West-Africa - the Oyo Empire.Therefore,over 40 million blossoming Yorubas owe a great deal of their existence to this progenitor and his expansionist descendants.It should be noted that Oduduwa never sat on any other throne or took upon himself another title except that of the King of Ile-Ife up till his demise.

Conversely,due to their historic role in shaping the current Yoruba geographical landscape over the centuries,Nubia Republic has been able to put together a list of ten of the greatest Kings of Yoruba lineage.Some of the major factors used in grading these thrones are their longevity,military might,economic importance and,relevance in relation to the Yoruba people.

10.ONIPOPO OF POPO

The first on our list is the Olupopo of Popo whose throne and kingdom lies in the Republic of Benin due to the Berlin conference of 1895.Though,not as powerful and important as we all think,it should be noted that the throne and significance of the Onipopo can not be easily brushed aside.It is actually one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Benin Republic.

The throne of the Onipopo is actually one of the very first set of ancient thrones in the history of the Yoruba race,even older than the Oyo empire.Been one of the seven legal children of Okanbi,he along with his other siblings set out to create their very own separate kingdoms independent from Ile-Ife.

After several centuries of turmoils,wars and,subjugation by the Oyo empire,it still managed to survive and outlive many of its peers.Also,one cannot overemphasis its relevance economically.

9.ALAKETOU OF KETOU
On the list of the Yoruba greats is also the ancient stool belonging to the Alaketou of Ketou.Also stuck with the likes of Popo and Sabe in Benin Republic due to the scramble and partition of Africa by the Europeans,the stool of the Alaketou has remained as important as it was during its early days of creation.

Furthermore,going by the Yoruba history,it was said that the Aleketou is actually the first child out of seven children from the legal marriage of Okanbi,son of Oduduwa and should naturally have succeeded the throne of his grandfather Oduduwa,but due to their expansionist and adventurous dreams,he also hit the road on an epic journey which resulted into the creation of the Ketou kingdom.

Following

8.ORANGUN ILA OF IGBOMINALAND
Occupying the number eight spot on our list is the Orangun of Ila,who is also the paramount ruler of Igbomina,situated in south western part of Nigeria.

As one of the legitimate seven sons of Okanbi,and grandson of Oduduwa,the progenitor of the race,Ifagbamila Ajagunla also set out to find himself a kingdom where he eventually founded the kingdom of Ila and settled down.He however,took upon himself the title of Orangun,meaning ‘king’ of Ila.

A legendary warrior King and conqueror,Ifagbamila Ajagunla played vital roles during the formative years of the Oyo empire.After Oranmiyan had left Ile-Ife to settle at the first site known as Oyo Ajaka,he was faced with series of battle with the Ibaribas and Nupes.Oranmiyan requested help from his brother Ifagbamila Ajagunla,who accepted to help Oranmiyan.Legend has it that he led the likes of Olugbon,Aresa,Onikoyi and,Olomu Aperan into series of successful wars against the Ibaribas and Nupes until they were eventually conquered,thus bringing the Nupes and Ibaribas under the the firm control of Oranmiyan,the first Alaafin of Oyo.

7.OLUBADAN OF IBANDAN
Although,the stool of the Olubadan might have been a late comer into the Yoruba imperialist structure,but quickly prove its terrifying might,which was devastating to the rest of the Yoruba race.

Its grand entrance into the power race came during the fall of the Oyo empire when the then Alaafin gave power to the Ibadan garrison to defend and protect the Yorubas from the encroaching Fulanis and the Ilorin rebels.

Right from the time of Aare Ona Kakanfo Iyanda Latoosa,who also doubled as the Olubadan,the Ibadan forces had proved their onion,by consistently defeating the foreign invaders,hereby putting an end to the Fulani territorial quest into the Yorubalands.Immediately after,this,they then set their eyes on some of their fellow Yoruba brethren and kingdoms who had failed to surrender power to the new hegemonic Ibadan,thus kick-starting series of wars which became known as the 16yrs war or the Yoruba civil war in which Ibadan engaged 80 percent of the Yorubas in war.

Though,the stool of the Olubadan and the kingdom of Ibadan might not have been established by any of the original seven grandsons of Oduduwa nevertheless,it still remains ones of the greatest seats of powers in the entire Yorubaland.

6. OWA OBOKUN OF IJESHALAND
In number 6 on our list of the greatest Yoruba thrones is the powerful Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.Adimula Ajibogun,who was one of the legitimate sons of Okanbi and the first Owa of Obokun would go on to play vital roles in the early years of Yoruba history.

According to legends,Okanbi the king of Ile-Ife,and only son to Oduduwa fell victim to the ugly grip of age,as he became old and was struck with blindness.His son Adimula Ajibogun was then sent to the sea to fetch water to cure his ageing father off the ailment of his blindness.On return from his trip,it dawned on Ajibogun that he had been presumed dead due to the longevity of his journey.

Furthermore,a very impressed Okanbi quickly summoned his chiefs to inform them that his son Ajibogun should be crowned king of Ile-Ife after his demise.Nevertheless,Ajibogun also had a thirst for an epic adventure of his own which made him decline the offer of succeeding his father as King.

Displeased by this sudden change in decision by his heir apparent nevertheless,he greatly appreciated the efforts of Ajibogun regarding his eyesight and was forever indebted to him,hence he decided that Ajibogun was entitled to more lands than his other brothers,if he choose not to become king after him.

Conversely,Okanbi entrusted the Ajase Sword,which he inherited from his father Oduduwa and also told him that from the very gate of the of the Ife palace to as far as he could venture shall belong to him,hence the name “Enuwa”attached to the palace of the Ooni of Ife,which literally translate to “boundary of Owa”in English and still serves as its current name.

The might of Adimula Ajibogun was legendary as he and his descendants went on to create probably the largest kingdom in the present day Osun state.The Ijeshas are also reputed for their business acumen and warlike nature and, for centuries they have blossomed far beyond the reach of their kingdom.

5. OLOWU OF OWU
Who would ever forget the great tales of the legendary kingdom of Owu which blossomed more than any of its contemporaries during its existential days.Known not only as one of the greatest commercial centers of the Yorubas,but it was also a jewel to behold.

Going by legends,the Olowu of Owu was also one of the original seven of Okanbi,and also followed the conquest path cleared by his siblings.Not only did he succeed in creating a kingdom for himself,he created what was more than kingdom,he created a paradise.

Furthermore,the Kingdom of Owu centuries ago was viewed in a manner in which the Greek city states such as Athens,Sparta,Mycenae and the rest had viewed the city of Troy;it was a city that had all the splendors,might,fortifications and,riches they could ever envisage,this had spurned jealousy and envy in the hearts of other kingdom,thus setting the stage for an imminent clash which the powerful Owu kingdom had been a major culprit.

Centuries ago,the Ife kingdom was seen as a very sacred land,due to the fact that it served as the bedrock and origin of further Yoruba civilizations,thus there was a unanimous decision that forbade any other Yoruba kingdom from ever attacking Ife.This decision might have fallen on the deaf ears of Olowu Amororo,the then Olowu of Owu who went on to carry out attacks on Ife towns coupled with the fact that an Alligator pepper incidence had led to the loss of lives of some Ijebu traders and properties.This set the stage for an inevitable war and alliances were formed to put an end to the menace of the arrogant Owu kingdom.Perhaps,the Owu Kingdom shared a lot of things in common with the ancient Trojans which included a ghastly fate.

Just as King Agamemnon of Mycenae,Menelaus of Sparta,Odysseus of Ithaca,Ajax,and Achilles went into alliance against Troy,same alliance was forged by the Ijebus,Ibadan and Ile-Ife,which saw to the routing and total destruction of Owu after a prolonged 5yr war with her remnants taken captives by the Ijebus and Ibadan forces.The few who managed to survive were scattered all round the Yoruba federation.

Today,the people of Owu are found in several parts of the South-Western part of Nigeria,with a large chunk of its people in Abeokuta,where they have managed to repopulate and preserve what is left of the history and legacy of its people.Even though they are down and relegated down the echelons of power,yet we cannot but gaze at its glorious past that has over the years inspired Thespians and dramatist to re-enact a theatrical experiences based on the legendary kingdom of Owu.

4.OBA OF BENIN
Critics might have a lot to say regarding the inclusion of the kingdom of Benin as part of an ancient Yoruba brainchild and establishment.Nevertheless,we cannot dispute the fact that it is actually a product of the Yoruba race,a controversy that has finally been supported by the newly enthroned Oba of Benin during his coronation ceremony.

Prior to the triumph of Oranmiyan in Benin,it should be noted that it already had a sort of leadership structure with the head and ruler known as the “Ogiso”.During the reign of Okanbi in Ile-Ife,emissaries were sent to Ile-Ife to solicit for help due to the internal rift between the warring factions of the Ogisos.Okanbi then decided to send down an equally capable son renowned in the art of war and anti-insurgency,hence the quick departure of Oranmiyan to the kingdom of Benin where he quelled all rebellion adroitly.

To further strengthen peace and unity within the Kingdom,Oranmiyan thought it wise to put an end to the existing dynasty and in other for a new one thus,he made himself “Oba” meaning ‘King’ in the Yoruba dialect.This was the beginning of the new Oba dynasty in Benin with Oranmiyan’s son Eweka I successor after he left Benin back to his homeland and Family in Ile-Ife.The dynasty still stands and rule today.

This marked Oranmiyan’s first major conquest and his bloodline line and dynasty went on to become of the greatest kingdoms in West Africa with various great excavated artifacts now in museums all across the world.Surely,it deserves a spot amongst the Yoruba greatest 10.

3. OONI OF IFE
On our number 3 is the ancient stool of Ile-Ife which also doubles as the spiritual headquarters and home to the 201 gods of the Yoruba race.More like the Vatican city with the Pope as its head,Ile-Ife today is a perfect replica with all forms of spiritual attachments and relevance across the Yoruba lands.Also,being the seat of power of the Progenitor himself Oduduwa,this gives it a three-in-one attribute;the spiritual centre,home of the throne of the progenitor and,the birth place of the Yoruba race.Nevertheless,the name and title “Ooni” came into existence after the death of the King Okanbi.So,how did this name and title surfaced coupled with the fact that as at time of death of Okanbi,all original seven sons had left to start their various Kingdoms.

According to Yoruba legends,Okanbi had 8 sons which included the “original 7” whose names were the Alaketou of Ketou,Onisabe of Sabe,Onipopo of Popo,Olowu of Owu,Ifagbamila Ajagunla the Orangun of Ila,Adimula Ajibogun the Owa Obokun of Ijesa and,the last of them all,Oranmiyan the Alaafin of Oyo.Later on,he also gave birth to another son kn own as Ooni,this time,not from his legal marriage,but from his favorite slave known as Orunto.So,how did this alleged bastard son ascend the throne of Oduduwa and initiated a dynasty that still rules even till today.

Furthermore,legend also has it that when Oranmiyan returned from Benin,he found out that his long lost brother Adimula the Owa Obokun,had return from the sea where he had gone to get the sea water which was needed to cure their ailing father’s blindness.Not only that,he also learnt that his father Okanbi had ceded the throne to Owa of Obokun as a compensation for his help towards his health.
This,Oranmiyan pondered on and saw no reason why he should continue his life in Ile-Ife since he was no longer a favorite for the throne,hence his second journey out of Ife,to establish his own kingdom.

Conversely,after the exit of Oranmiyan,Owa Obokun also grew tired and restless as he wanted to leave Ile-Ife to establish his own kingdom.This decision,he made known to his father Okanbi,who later granted his heart desire and gave unto him territories and land which stretch forth from the very gate of Ife palace to wherever Adimula pleased.

Now,all his legal sons had departed to establish their kingdoms,he was left with his son Ooni from his favorite slave Orunto.Having no legal son to succeed him,he had no choice than to name Ooni as his successor after his demise thus began the bloodline and dynasty of the Oonis of Ife.Just like Julius Caesar of Rome,Ooni’s name was adopted as the official title of the ancient stool.

Though,Ile-Ife may not have offered much in terms of military might and trade during the monarchical days of the Yorubas,yet it was the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilization.

2.ALAAFIN OF OYO
The undisputed paramount ruler of Yorubaland who was also the most promising grandson of the great Oduduwa founded the greatest and only empire of Yoruba descent,which went on to rival the likes of the Songhai empire in terms of power,might and,wealth.

After the sojourn of Oranmiyan out of Ile-Ife,Yoruba legend has it that he was provided with a magical snake and was instructed to follow its trail till it eventually stopped and disappear into the ground at a certain location after seven days.Eventually,the serpent stopped at site in which came to be known as Ajaka.Here at Ajaka,he decided to lay the foundations of his new kingdom.

During this period,his newly found Kingdom was faced with many raids from a neighbouring power house known as the kingdom of Borgu whose king was attempting to subjugate the new kingdom of Oyo.It took the intervention of Oranmiyan’s elder brother the great Ifagbamila Ajagunla the Orangun of Ila,to quell and conquer the threats to his brothers kingdom thus,saving the the greatest Yoruba kingdom from an early destruction.


From there onward,it was a mass expansion and display of power and brute force.In its prime,the successive Alaafin’s took control of all Yoruba lands and kingdoms which stretched as far as the northern parts of Nigeria and present day Benin and Togo thus,becoming an empire.The Oyo Empire had a military system synonymous to that of the ancient Greeks and Romans.It was a highly centralized and disciplined force,who had at its head as commander,the most powerful and reputable warrior at the time known as Aare Ona Kakanfo,whom is usually handpicked by the Alaafin himself.Several of these Aare Ona Kakanfos would later go on to play various roles in the formation of the present Yoruba landscape.

Up until its total collapse,the Oyo Empire and the Alaafins remained a force to reckon with in Africa.

1.THE AWUJALE OF IJEBULAND
Shocked at the choice of number 1 on the list?Strange it is,but lets look at these damning facts about this people to have warranted its position as the most powerful throne in the entire Yorubaland.Lets have it in mind that they were neither conquered nor subjugated by an forces except from the Brits.

Firstly,we examine and trace their origins which is in contrast to that of the other Yoruba legends.While the Yorubas trace their origins to Oduduwa,who journeyed from Mecca down to the present day Ife,where he then set in motion, a new race of people.In contrast to this,the Ijebus traced their own origin to what is now known as South Sudan or ancient Kush with traceable traits between them.

Secondly,during the twilight years of Okanbi,he was sick and became blind.In other to regain eyesight,Okanbi consulted the Ifa priest Agbonmiregun for a possible cure to his eye-sight,he was directed by the Ifa priest to get sea water to cure the ailment.Owa Obokun the son son of Okanbi was then sent to get the sea water,which he wandered about for years in fruition until he finally stumbled upon the the king of the Ijebus Awujale Lewu Legusen.On hearing the plight of Owa Obokun,the Awujale aided him and sent a messenger along with him to the sea to get the water,and also gave to him on his return from the sea,some eye medications for his father which eventually healed him.The Awujale in question was the fifth Awujale which shows that there had been a form of organized civilization even before the coming of Oduduwa into the Jungles of west Africa.

Thirdly,according to legends,the Ijebus were a very secretive set of people,who shielded others from ever venturing into their land.In other words,Yoruba or not,no outside was ever welcomed,though,they traded with all forms of people outside their cities,but if anyone executed.This went on till the conquest of Imperialist Britain.

Fourthly,the remains of a great ancient ruins of a city and presence of pyramids which were said to be much larger than that of Giza in Egypt were found in the hearts of the Ijebu lands.These discovery greatly bewildered the Europeans coupled with the facts that this city had fortifications in forms of walls which was said to be a replica of the wall of China.The remains of this great walls was later dubbed the Eredo works which all points to the existence of a very ancient power house within Western Africa.Though,they could not pinpoint the actual age of this edifice,but from the study of some of these works and carbon dating,they were able to predict a period probably thousands of years before the coming of Oduduwa since pyramids and walls were always signs of an advanced civilization.This further gave credence to the fact they had migrated from Kush.

Another weird fact is that the Ijebus are probably the only people in South-Western Nigeria that has successfully remained in its exact location since its inception,while other ethnic groups within the Yorubalands have relocated once or twice.In other words,no war or upheavals in recorded history had moved them away from their lands at any particular time which attested to its might.

It gets more weird when we realize that the assumed final resting place of the legendary Queen of Sheba was traced down to Ijebu.To the Ijebus she was known as Bilikisu Sungbo whose burial place could still be seen today and is possibly used as a tourist site.It should be noted that this conspiracy was not not a brainchild or myth by the Yorubas or the Ijebus,it was the research carried out by renowned Europeans Historians and Archaeologists and even aired as a documentary by popular media houses included a featured BBC documentary exclusively on the topic of controversy.

Finally,it should also be noted that the Yoruba Civil War waged on for years,not only because the warring groups refused to dialogue.but because the Ijebus maintained and monopolized the trade route which saw to the influx of all sort of weapons needed to keep the war going.It was a win-win situation,which saw to the increase in wealth of the various Ijebu businessmen.Perhaps,this dexterity and deftness in business and trade eventually led to their Waterloo.Being the gateway to the hinterlands of the Yoruba Federation,the British powers pleaded with the Ijebus to remove the blockade leading to the hinterlands,still the Ijebus refused and chose war which later became known as the Magbon War;it was a war they eventually lost to Britain,thus ending the Ijebu monopoly on land and sea trade routes.With access to the Yorubalands,the Brits were eventually able to quell the conflicts by assuming and affirming their control on the warring city states hence,the defeat of the Ijebus ultimately led to the end of the Yoruba Civil war.

I'm coming

and I'm sure Edo people will have sth to say.

Laughing...
I wonder what your number one is..
.


Oba of LAGOS

Read more on www.nubiarepublic.com

[s]

mickeyenglish:

1.THE AWUJALE OF IJEBULAND
Shocked at the choice of number 1 on the list?Strange it is,but lets look at these damning facts about this people to have warranted its position as the most powerful throne in the entire Yorubaland.Lets have it in mind that they were neither conquered nor subjugated by an forces except from the Brits.

Firstly,we examine and trace their origins which is in contrast to that of the other Yoruba legends.While the Yorubas trace their origins to Oduduwa,who journeyed from Mecca down to the present day Ife,where he then set in motion, a new race of people.In contrast to this,the Ijebus traced their own origin to what is now known as South Sudan or ancient Kush with traceable traits between them.

Secondly,during the twilight years of Okanbi,he was sick and became blind.In other to regain eyesight,Okanbi consulted the Ifa priest Agbonmiregun for a possible cure to his eye-sight,he was directed by the Ifa priest to get sea water to cure the ailment.Owa Obokun the son son of Okanbi was then sent to get the sea water,which he wandered about for years in fruition until he finally stumbled upon the the king of the Ijebus Awujale Lewu Legusen.On hearing the plight of Owa Obokun,the Awujale aided him and sent a messenger along with him to the sea to get the water,and also gave to him on his return from the sea,some eye medications for his father which eventually healed him.The Awujale in question was the fifth Awujale which shows that there had been a form of organized civilization even before the coming of Oduduwa into the Jungles of west Africa.

Thirdly,according to legends,the Ijebus were a very secretive set of people,who shielded others from ever venturing into their land.In other words,Yoruba or not,no outside was ever welcomed,though,they traded with all forms of people outside their cities,but if anyone executed.This went on till the conquest of Imperialist Britain.

Fourthly,the remains of a great ancient ruins of a city and presence of pyramids which were said to be much larger than that of Giza in Egypt were found in the hearts of the Ijebu lands.These discovery greatly bewildered the Europeans coupled with the facts that this city had fortifications in forms of walls which was said to be a replica of the wall of China.The remains of this great walls was later dubbed the Eredo works which all points to the existence of a very ancient power house within Western Africa.Though,they could not pinpoint the actual age of this edifice,but from the study of some of these works and carbon dating,they were able to predict a period probably thousands of years before the coming of Oduduwa since pyramids and walls were always signs of an advanced civilization.This further gave credence to the fact they had migrated from Kush.

Another weird fact is that the Ijebus are probably the only people in South-Western Nigeria that has successfully remained in its exact location since its inception,while other ethnic groups within the Yorubalands have relocated once or twice.In other words,no war or upheavals in recorded history had moved them away from their lands at any particular time which attested to its might.

It gets more weird when we realize that the assumed final resting place of the legendary Queen of Sheba was traced down to Ijebu.To the Ijebus she was known as Bilikisu Sungbo whose burial place could still be seen today and is possibly used as a tourist site.It should be noted that this conspiracy was not not a brainchild or myth by the Yorubas or the Ijebus,it was the research carried out by renowned Europeans Historians and Archaeologists and even aired as a documentary by popular media houses included a featured BBC documentary exclusively on the topic of controversy.

Finally,it should also be noted that the Yoruba Civil War waged on for years,not only because the warring groups refused to dialogue.but because the Ijebus maintained and monopolized the trade route which saw to the influx of all sort of weapons needed to keep the war going.It was a win-win situation,which saw to the increase in wealth of the various Ijebu businessmen.Perhaps,this dexterity and deftness in business and trade eventually led to their Waterloo.Being the gateway to the hinterlands of the Yoruba Federation,the British powers pleaded with the Ijebus to remove the blockade leading to the hinterlands,still the Ijebus refused and chose war which later became known as the Magbon War;it was a war they eventually lost to Britain,thus ending the Ijebu monopoly on land and sea trade routes.With access to the Yorubalands,the Brits were eventually able to quell the conflicts by assuming and affirming their control on the warring city states hence,the defeat of the Ijebus ultimately led to the end of the Yoruba Civil war.

[/s]
Lol
You're surely a sick Ijebu boy that's high on 5 days old Ẹ̀ba or ífọkọrẹ̀.
Ijebu people that don't even have any connections with Oduduwa?
People that are not even qualified as yoruba?
You surely need a psychiatrist.

I have been following with keen interest. And been liking your post until u call alaafin the paramount ruler of yorubaland.

Do you even know the meaning of paramount ruler?

you did not even include alake and yet u put awujale as number 1. Bro are you high or i dont get it.

Abeg remove Benin. Benin was and will never be a Yoruba throne, get that into your skull

The tribe called yorubas are cunning....if they dont add benin to thier history thier amala wont pass thier thrown

gregyboy:
The tribe called yorubas are cunning....if they dont add benin to thier history thier amala wont pass thier thrown

Frustration will kill you.

The truth is bitter...