Department of History and International Studies
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Browsing Department of History and International Studies by Author "Elugbaju, Ayowole S."
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- ItemIfe-Modakeke Crisis (1849-2000): Re-thinking the Conflict and Methods of Resolution(Journal of Science, Humanities and Arts, 2018-10) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.This paper identifies the gap in the historical narratives gathered from the members of the belligerent communities and the sparsity of related literatures. Thus, this paper attempts a chronological reconstruction of the Ife-Modakeke conflict by exploring and fusing a plethora of related secondary source of data. The paper advocates the need to sustain an accurate history of the Ife-Modakeke relations; implementation of social justice; and the disarmament of the members of the two communities to engender sustainable peace and the total prevention of the conflict from re-occurring.
- ItemIndigenous Ritual Performance in Ile-Ife: A Further Light into the Edì Festival(Journal of Black Culture and International Understanding, 2017-06) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.Michael J. Walsh's interesting study on Edì provides an insight into one of the most important festivals celebrated at Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria. Festivals in Yorubaland, most especially in pre-colonial times, were deeply ritualistic and conjure up esoteric posturing that leaves discerning minds with ambivalent explanations or interpretations of peculiar traditional phenomena. Walsh's work, as he confessed, was rudimentary, thus, leaving readers with more grounds to cover on Edì festival among the Ile-Ife people. Based on fieldwork conducted in Ile-Ife, and drawing primarily on evidence from oral sources, the study digs deeper into the personality of Mòremí, on the one hand, and her role in the founding of the Edì festival, on the other hand. It explores the varied processes, practices and procedures carried out in the performance of this all-important festival. The study examines reasons Edì is celebrated and its importance to the interminable existence or survival of Ile-Ife as the fulcrum of the Yoruba race. Following the foray of monotheistic beliefs and colonial rule in Nigeria vis-à-vis Ile-Ife, the festival typically witnessed significant modifications and later new adaptations on some of its ritual practices and performances. This, however, has not diminished the vigour of Edì. Though a source of contention in recent time, Mòremí's personage (which is linked to Edì itself) share insight into female royal power and influence and illustrates their categorical position in African societies.
- ItemIssues and Contentions in the Incursion of Islam and Christianity into Ilé-Ifè, Southwestern Nigeria(International Area Studies Review, 2021-09) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.The late ninetieth century marked the period when Ilé-Ifè, the reputed cradle of the Yoruba people, witnessed the penetration of Christianity and Islam. Specifically, from the 1890s, both religions established a few years apart through several actors and factors, operated concurrently within Ilé-Ifè. However, the accounts surrounding the periods, initiators and several issues associated with the establishment of these religions have, in the history of Ilé-Ifè, become themes of contention that should be further interrogated from a historical perspective. This study employed primary and secondary data in examining the contested arguments in the narratives surrounding the incursion of these religions in Ilé-Ifè within the context of identifying pitfalls and providing a guide for future studies related to this theme. This study discovered that the issues and contentions include the primordial projection of narratives; and the conflation of the identities of the initiators of the religions, to mention a few. The study is concluded by drawing some lessons from the early peaceful coexistence between the adherents of the two religions in Ilé-Ifè.
- ItemA King or A Priest in the City of 201 Gods: Interrogating the Place of the Oòni in the Religious system of Ilé-Ifè in Southwest Nigeria(UCLA Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies, 2022) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.The tradition of the origin of the Yorùbá people of Western Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo, and the Diaspora indicate one source, Ilé-Ifè, where the varieties of their indigenous political system originated. However, since the colonial period, a debate remains about the place of the Oòni, the King of Ilé-Ifè, in the political and religious systems of the Yorùbá nation, which has led to a perennial discourse across Yorùbáland. Using literature, primary sources such as oral interviews, and participant observations of rituals and festivals spanning several years, this study critically analyses the position of the Oòni in the religious system of Ilé-Ifè. The findings of this study reveal that the festivals in Ilé-Ifè are within the purview of certain family compounds headed by the Ìsòrò (king-priests). It also discovered that the mandatory performance of the Oòni in Ifè festivals is limited the Ìdìó, Olójó, Edì, Ìtàpá, Pokùlere and Ifá festivals only. The participatory role of the Oòni is reflective of the commemoration of the important culture heroes of Ile-Ife who have reigned before Lajamisan, the originator of the current dynasty in the Ìtàpá festival of Obàtálá, Ìdìó festival of Odùduwà, Olójó festival of Ògún, and Pokùlere festival of Obalùfòn. The study further reveals that in the Edì and Ifá festivals, the Oòni re-enacts the performance of the previous Ifè kings in the epochal events in the history of Ilé-Ifè considered important enough to be re-enacted. In line with existing debate about the nature of the religious or political status of the King of Ifè, this study concludes that the structure of the Ifè religious system does not underscore the Johnsonian theory ascribing the role of a chief priest to the Oòni.
- ItemThe Role of Traditional Institution in Managing Ife-Modakeke Conflict(International Journal of Arts and Humanities(IJAH), 2016-04) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.The conflict between the Ife and Modakeke appears to be a protracted and seemingly intractable intra-ethnic conflict that has continued to pit two groups of the same ethnic background against one another. This study, therefore examined the role of traditional institution in managing Ife-Modakeke conflict. The study found that the major causes of the conflict between Ife and Modakeke group include land issues, Ife-East Local Government, debate over Modakeke’s sovereignty, boundary disagreement etc. This study discovered that one of the shortcomings of the past methods of managing the Ife Modakeke conflict is inability of bringing succour to the minds of those who records losses during the war. The role of traditional institutions in managing the conflict includes several committees comprising of chiefs of both towns inaugurated whereby chiefs of both towns meet at intervals to discuss the peace and progress of the towns and conclusions are reached on salient issues. Conflict is indeed an inevitable aspect of human interaction. There is the need to learn to manage them and deal with them in a way that prevents escalation and destruction, and to arrive at new, innovative, and creative ideas to resolve them.
- ItemSòókò Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Continuity and Change in the Royal History of Ilé-Ifè(Journal of Comparative Studies, 2020-12) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.The Sòókò institution is one of the under-researched areas within the socio-political system of Ilé-Ifè despite its primal position in the sustenance and continuation of the traditional political system of Ilé-Ifè. The paper employed primary and secondary data in examining the Sòókò institution, precisely, its origin; its place within the Ifè socio-political structure and investiture ceremonies within the context of change and continuity recorded by the institution thus far. The study discovered that while the institution is as old as the ancient town of Ifè and has continued to exist over several centuries, it has, however, not escaped the changes affecting its investiture ceremony, and relevance in the traditional political institution of the town. The paper concludes that while the institution has been affected by changes from modernity, for instance, it continues to remain a relevant body in the sustenance and continuation of Ifè monarchy and culture.