THE LAST OF THE EXISTENTIAL WARS BETWEEN THE MUHAMMEDANS AND THE YORUBA TRADITIONALISTS

The end of a dynasty.
One expedition into Yoruba heartland after another, the Fula Muhammendans destroyed, pillaged and depopulated Yoruba towns and kingdoms. Ifa and men of foresight had predicted the calamity that finally befell Yoruba kingdoms in the hands of Fula Muhammedans, but jealousy and rivalry among the Yoruba war-chiefs prevented unity of purpose. Whenever there was a war with the Fula Muhammedans, who had captured Ilorin, these chiefs usually acted against their own real and national interests, either by betraying their own nation and people or by colluding with the enemy. As a consequence of the inappropriate behavior among the chiefs, Yoruba country was weakened and it became an easy prey to the Fula Muhammedans who swore to rule over the entire Yorubaland. In fact, at one point, the capital city of the most powerful Yoruba Kingdom, Oyo, became tributary to Ilorin. This would change when Oluewu ascended the throne of Alaafin.

Soon after Oluewu’s accession, Shitta (the Muhammedan king of Ilorin) requested Oluewu to come to Ilorin, in person, to pay homage to him as his vassal, but Oluewu declined until he was advised, not without much effort, by his great chiefs to honor the request. Oluewu travelled to Ilorin where he was received with every mark of honor and distinction; but all the same, the shame and disgrace of it all, with unspoken resentment rankled in the chest of Alaafin Oluewu. Oluewu felt his humiliation keenly and was determined to resent it at all cost or die in the attempt. But that was not all; the Emir of Ilorin (Shitta) sent Jimba (his head servant) to place a copy of the Quran in the palace of Alaafin in Oyo, ransack the palace and bring anything of value he could find back to Ilorin.

Shortly after his first visit to Ilorin, Oluewu received a second request from Shitta, requiring Oluewu to come over to Ilorin to perform the humiliating ceremony known as “tapping the Quran” in order to become a true Muhammedan, but Oluewu flatly declined. Effort to get him to honor the request by his chiefs proved futile. Oluewu had had enough. Knowing fully well that his refusal could cost him his throne or even his life, he decided to launch a pre-emptive war against Ilorin once and for all. He invited the Baribas, who were excellent archers, to assist him in his war campaign against Shitta and Ilorin. Oluewu went to war with Ilorin; unfortunately, he was betrayed by his top generals and fell on the battle field. Oluewu death marked the end of the real traditional dynasty in Oyo - nearly 180 years ago, today.😥

Reference
Johnson, S. (1921). “The history of the Yorubas....”