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Browsing by Author "Elugbaju, Ayowole S."

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Ife-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.
Indigenous 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.
ISLAM AND RELIGIOUS CHANGE IN ILÉ-IFÈ, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA, 1903-1939
(Historical Society of Nigeria, 2021) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.
The spread of Islam across West Africa permeated several parts of Yorùbáland, including Ilé-Ifè, the sacred city of the Yorùbá. While there is a consensus that the presence of Islam in Yorùbáland dates back several centuries, the religion appears not to have made inroads into Ilé-Ifè until the 20th century – thus, making the advent of Islam in Ilé Ifè a recent phenomenon. Despite being a recent event, the history of Islam in Ilé-Ifè has been a subject of a few scholarly endeavours. Thus, there is a compelling need to explore certain aspects of the history of Islam in Ile-Ife. Using primary and secondary sources, the study examines the history of Islam in Ilé-Ifè within the contexts of its advent, religious contest, adaptation, and change. The findings of this study are that Islam was subjected to resistance upon advent, which culminated in a religious contest that led to several deaths. In addition, the study showed the dexterity of the people in the resolution of the religious contest and the adaptation of the natives to the presence of Islam which led to several changes. The study concludes that despite the setbacks it encountered, Islam continues to thrive in Ilé-Ifè, the city of Yorùbá gods.
Issues 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.
A 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.
Myth, Ritual, and Visible Expressions of Ọbàtálá and Olókun in Ilé-Ifẹ̀
(LEXINGTON BOOKS, 2024) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.
Òrìsá Nlá Festival: Change and Continuity in the Festival of Obàtálá in Ilé-Ifè, Southwestern Nigeria
(Journal of Africana Religions, 2024) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.
In the Yòrùbá pantheon, Obàtálá, otherwise known as Òrìsá Nlá, is imagined as a creator god, next only to Olódùmarè. Meanwhile in Ilé Ifè, Obàtálá is regarded as an important king of Ilé-Ifè, whose reign was significant to the development of monarchy in the reputed source of the Yòrùbá. In Ilé-Ifè, where festivals occur daily, the festival of Obàtálá is essential to the continuity of life and the institution of the monarchy. Thus, it is considered to be a national festival. Be that as it may, when placed at the intersection of Western education, colonialism, religion, and modernization, the festival of Obàtálá has been subject to change. Using primary and secondary sources, this article examines the nature of the changes associated with the festival. Despite the impact of change, attempts are being made to sustain the festival of Obàtálá through adaptation.
The 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.
Sòókò 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.
The upsurge of religious intolerance in Southwestern Nigeria: Whither Yoruba cultural values?
(AFRICAN IDENTITIES, 2023) Elugbaju, Ayowole S.
Concerning religion, the Yoruba people of the south-western part of Nigeria are often touted as a very tolerant group of people, given the peaceful nature of the cohabitation of multiple religions within their families and communities. However, in recent years, there has been a trend of sporadic conflicts between adherents of Indigenous, Islam, and Christian religions such that it is indicative of a threat to the system which has sustained the harmonious co-existence of the different faiths in Yorubaland. Thus, drawing on primary and secondary sources, this paper argues that the trend of religious intolerance in Yorubaland is an indication of an impending religious crisis and advocates that the Yoruba cultural values which sustained the multiplicity of religious systems in Yorubaland in the time past needs to be revitalized to prevent the outbreak of a major religious crisis.

Browsing by Author "Elugbaju, Ayowole S."

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