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FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON IGBOMINA, C. 1750-1900 By ABOYEJI, ADENIYI JUSTUS 97/15CA020 (B.A. (2001), M.A. (2006) HISTORY, UNILORIN) BEING A Ph.D THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA i FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON IGBOMINA, C. 1750-1900 By ABOYEJI, ADENIYI JUSTUS 97/15CA020 (B.A. (2001), M.A. (2006) HISTORY, UNILORIN) BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA © March, 2015 ii iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the custodian of all Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Might, Counsel, Reverential Fear (Isaiah 11:2) and the Donor of the ‘pen of the ready-writer’ (Psalms 45:1), through our Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My indebtedness for accomplishing this study is undoubtedly, enormous. Contributions within the academic circles, family link and notable individuals/personages deserve due acknowledgement. This is because a man who beats up his doctor after he has been cured is incapable of being grateful. Nature‘s cruelty, to candour, is more bearable than man‘s ingratitude to man. Words are undoubtedly inadequate to quantify the roles of my supervisors, Dr. Kolawole David Aiyedun and Professor Samuel Ovuete Aghalino, to whom special accolades are exclusively reserved. In spite of their busy schedules as Head of Department, Senior Professor and in many other capacities, they never denied me the benefits of their supervisory acumen. I am more than greatly indebted to them. Professor Sam Aghalino particularly for took it upon himself to give this thesis its present colouration. I thank other members of the academic staff in the Department, notably: Professor B. M. Eyinla, Professor R. A. Olaoye, Dr. P.F Adebayo, Dr. I. A. Jawondo, Dr. S.Y. Omooya, Dr. L. E. Odeh, Dr. Bashir O. Ibrahim, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun, E. J. Ige, and Mrs. M. A. Y. Lewu, who gave me the benefit of their wealth of experiences. Dr. A. S. Adebola, Prof. H. O. Danmole and the late Prof. R. O. Lasisi are retired Generals that must be duly acknowledged for their immeasurable intellectual impartation. The encouragement received from Messers Yusuf, S. D., Alabi, O. M., Onagun, R and Mrs. Odeigah, T. N. this short time we have been together in the Department is quite memorable. I feel intellectually indebted to Prof. E. C. Emordi of the Department of History and International Studies, Edo State University, Ekpoma (my external examiner) and Prof. B. Salawu of the Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin (my internal examiner). Your input to this work promises to remain evergreen. I am also indebted to all those that this study benefitted from while we were in the field collecting data. They include: all our informants, the staffers of the Arewa Documentation Centre, Kaduna, National Archives, and Libraries. v I also wish to acknowledge the spiritual support of the pastor and elders of ECWA Church (Zionites‘ Sanctuary), Esie: Pastor & Mrs. J. B. Owolabi, Elders & Mrs. D. A. Olaoye, D. O. Adeniyi, J. O. Adekola, J. A. Bamisaye & S. S. Adewumi, and entire congregation. A special acknowledgement is reserved for Dr. Bashir Olaitan Ibrahim whom God has used severally to play significant and unforgettable roles in my life. Others deserving due acknowledgement for different roles played in my life towards the eventual attainment of this height include: Mr. & Mrs. David O. Kolawole & family, Proprietors Dominion Nursery & Primary School, Esie (my neighbours); Dr. Olowonirejuaro O. A. the Provost & former Director, DAP, Kwara State COED, Oro; Dr. E. O. Olafimihan, Mr. J. S. Akolawole, fellow Doctoral and Postgraduate students, staff of the Directorate of Affiliate Programmes (DAP), Kwara State College of Education, Oro, and indeed all who provided inspiration and encouragement, hence helping to keep keeping on against all odds. Should I so soon forget the meticulous support of my Pathfinders and Custodians in this world—Chief S. O. & Mrs. E. B. Aboyeji and brothers and sisters, who stood strong by me and gave me all the psychological, moral, spiritual and financial assistance needed to add this golden feather to my academic cap: Mr. & Mrs. ‗Yinka Oyedepo, Engr. & Mrs. Steve Aboyeji, Dr. & Mrs. Aboyeji O. Solomon, Mr. & Mrs. Amos Olakisan and Pastor & Mrs. Adebayo-Salami? You are God‘s Special Gifts Par Excellence in my life. The superlative part of this acknowledgement is unreservedly set aside for my better-half, Mrs. Aboyeji Adedotun Margret and our little angels—Oluwatunmise and Oluwasemiloore. Your patience, understanding, endurance, prayers, contributions, inspiration and sacrifice during this study period are not just noteworthy but duly esteemed, without which this thesis would not have seen the light of the day. I cannot but appreciate one more person—YOU, reading this work. This is because the outcomes of many researches that should have been of great benefit to humanity have only ended up unread, especially in this part of the world, accumulating dust upon dust on shelves. Once again, a big thanks, and God bless you all real good. vi TABLE OF CONTENT Title Page i Certification iii Dedication iv Acknowledgments v Table of Content vii Glossary/List of Abbreviations ix List of Maps, Tables and Appendices xi Abstract xii CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Justification of the Study 4 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 5 1.4 Scope of Work 5 1.5 Conceptual Clarification 7 1.6 Research Methodology and Problems 9 1.7 Literature Review 14 1.8 Geographical Description 26 1.9 Historical Background 36 Notes and References 53 CHAPTER TWO: IGBOMINA BEFORE THE 18TH CENTURY 2.1 Introduction 64 2.2 Igbomina Traditional Institutions Prior to the External Influence 65 2.3 Foreign Incursion into Igbomina Prior to the 18th Century 78 2.4 Era of the Dominance of Ọyọ Empire 79 2.5 Structure of Ọyọ Administration–Ajẹlẹ System 81 2.6 Weakness and Collapse of Ọyọ 85 2.7 Influence of the Collapse of Ọyọ on Igbomina 86 Notes and References 92 vii CHAPTER THREE: 18th CENTURY FOREIGN INFLUENCE: NUPE INCURSION 3.0 Introduction 97 3.1 The Nupes 97 3.2 First Phase of Nupe Incursion into Igbominaland, 1733-1795 102 3.3 Second Phase of Nupe Incursion, 1833-1897 105 3.4 Structure of Nupe Administration in Igbominaland 106 3.5 Nupe Influence on Igbomina 112 Notes and References 120 CHAPTER FOUR: 19TH CENTURY FOREIGN INFLUENCE: ILORIN CONQUEST AND IBADAN RAIDS, AND A POSTSCRIPT OF THE 20TH CENTURY 4.0 Introduction 125 4.1 Igbomina in the Context of the 19th Century Yoruba Civil Wars 125 4.2 Rise of the Ilorin/Fulani and Structure of Administration on Igbomina 134 4.3 Ilorin-Fulani Influence on Igbomina 147 4.4 Ibadan‘s Expansionism and Structure of Administration in Igbomina 150 4.5 Ibadan Influence on Igbomina Institutions 159 4.6 POSTSCRIPT: Igbomina in the 20th Century 161 4.7 British Colonialism and Influence 163 4.8 Impetus to the Incessant Military Invasions and Conquests of Igbomina 167 Notes and References 174 CHAPTER FIVE: ASPECTS OF CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN IGBOMINA 5.0. Introduction 180 5.1 Igbomina‘s Reactions to Foreign Influence 180 5.2 Implements of War 187 5.3 Igbomina Women in Warfare 193 5.4 Igbomina Inter-group Relations and Influence 196 5.5 Traditional Religious System 236 Notes and References 239 CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 248 Notes and References 262 BIBLIOGRAPHY 263 LIST OF MAPS, TABLES AND APPENDICES 274 viii GLOSSARY/LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 1) A. D. O. -Assistant District Officer 2) Agannigan -Name given to Ibadan Marauders in Igbominaland 3) Agbaasin -A goddess brought from Ile-Ife by Olusin 4) Ajele -Political Agent under the Oyo and Ibadan pre-colonial administration 5) Ajia -A minor war Chief under the Ilorin Emirate Administration 6) Alaafin -Title of (Oba) King of Oyo 7) Awoji -Religious soul of Iwoland/Iwo Kingdom goddess 8) B.O.P -Balance of Power 9) Babakekere -Middleman (economic/commercial) 10) Balogun -War Chief Title 11) D.H. -District Head. 12) D. O. -District Officer 13) Ekitiparapo -Ekiti/Igbomina Confederacy during the Kiriji War 14) Ekun -Province 15) Emir -Head of an Emirate. E.g. Ilorin Emirate. 16) Esinkin -A distinguished war leader 17) Etsu -Head of the Nupe Dynasty/potentate. 18) Griot -Members of a caste of professional oral historians(as in the Mali Empire) 19) H.R.H -His Royal Highness 20) Ibid -Same as above 21) Igbona -Abridged form of Igbomina (in colonial records) Igbimo/Ilu - Council of Chiefs (Community) ix 22) ILORPROF -Ilorin Province Report File 23) Iwofa or Iwefa -bond or indentured servants 24) L.G.A -Local Government Authority 25) N.A. -Native Authority 26) NAI -National Archives, Ibadan 27) NAK -National Archives, Kaduna 28) Oba/Baale -Village Head/Chief of Provincial Settlements/Provinces 29) Ogba -Nupe Residents who served as link between the Nupe potentate and the subject people. 30) Ogbo -A type of early traditional club or cutlass which possesses magical powers (that knows the way to the bank of the Niger) believed to have led Igbomina migrants 31) Ọlọbà -The Head of Ọbà 32) Oloogun - Members of Warrior group 33) Oluawo -Head of the diviners 34) Olupo -The Head of Ajase-po 35) Olusin -Head of Isinland 36) Oniwo -Head of Iwoland 37) Oniwonate/Olusinate-Territories under the Oniwo/Olusin 38) Orangun -The Head of Ila 39) Orile/Oriki -Cognomen 40) RNC -Royal Niger Company 41) V.A.C. -Village Area Council 42) V.G.C -Village Group Council 43) W.W. -World War (I & II) x