The 1941 Riot in Ilesa: Antecedents, Nature and Resolution
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Date
2005
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The Journal of History and Diplomatic Studies
Abstract
The British occupied the Yorubaland in 1893. This was mainly for economic reasons. The colonial system, however affected the social and political institutions in Ilesa, as it did in the entire Yorubaland. Of particular interest to us in this paper is the riot of 1941 in Ilesa. A riot is a violent action against public order, which could involve a group of people depending on the nature. Riot, in most cases, involves violence. The concept is obiviously broad and embraces a wide range of group conduct. This work takes a critical look at issues leading to the riot of 1941, its antecedents, nature and resolution. The Native Authority system, an adjunct of the Indirect Rule policy of the colonial administration worked to the advantage of the Owa and his senior chiefs, in conjunction with the staff of the Native Authority over and above what the junior chiefs could condone. For this reason, they became discontented and their grievances gravitated into a full-blown crisis in 1941.