Ota Traditional Chiefs
Encyclopedia
Traditional Chiefs in Ota play a role in maintaining local cultures and traditions in Ota, Nigeria
. Many also form the group of Kingmakers who select the traditional ruler, or Oba
, of Ota: the Olota of Ota
.
Chiefly positions are hereditary. When a traditional chief dies, his or her family lineage performs rites and then meets to determine the new chief. Once one or more candidates are chosen by the family, they are presented to a local group of kingmaker
s who make the final decision. These local Kingmakers include the Apena of Osugbo Ota, the Odogun of Ota, the Asalu of Ota, the Ojumo of Ota, and the Oloregan of Ota. The procedure for choosing new chiefs is governed by the Chiefs Law of 1957, Section 4(2) of the Customary Law.
All chiefly candidates must be male members of the appropriate ruling houses. Female candidates may be acceptable if there are no qualified male candidates. The Iyalode of Ota is the sole exception, as this title is always held by a woman.
in their quarter to the Olota and the Kingmakers council.
The group of Kingmakers that select the Olorogun chiefs are different for each of the four titles. Each Kingmaker group consists of a combination of minor chiefs from the quarter as well as some higher ranking chiefs that sit on the Olota Kingmaker committee.
Ajana means "One who fights on the road" in the Yoruba language
. He is the most senior chief in the Ijana quarter of Ota. Traditionally, the Ajana led the residents of his quarter to fight any potential threats to Ota, as Ijana quarter is the gateway to the town of Ota. He was also responsible for imprisoning and punishing criminals. Because of this, he is considered the first among equals among the Olorogun chiefs.
There are two ruling houses that produce Ajanas: the Ijitsu and the Aribiti. Each alternates in choosing the next Ajana. The candidates are presented by the family head to the nine Kingmakers: the Balogun, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Lisa, the Eletu of Ijana, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.
The title Onikotun comes from Oniko-Otun, meaning "The representative of Otun" in the Yoruba language
. The Onikotun ranks second to the Ajana. He is the head chief of the Otun quarter of Ota, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There is only one ruling house that produces the Onikotun: the Ijagba family. The family head presents candidates to six Kingmakers: the Odota, the Odofin, the Aro, the Olori of Otun, the Oluwo, and the Balogun of Otu.
The title Onikosi is a shortened form of Oniko-Osi, which means "Representative of Osi" in the Yoruba language
. He is the head chief of the Osi quarter, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There are three ruling houses that produce candidates for the Onikosi: the Iloti, the Isiki, and the Ikin. The three houses rotate to allow each a chance to produce an Onikosi. The head of the family presents candidates to ten Kingmakers: the Ekerin, the Bada of Osi, the Balogun of Osi, the Olori of Iwaiye, the Akeja Oniyanru of Osi, the Odogun, the Olori of Osi, the Seriki of Osi, the Asalu, and the Odofin of Osugbo Itoki.
The Akogun is equal in rank to the Onikosi, and is the head chief of the Oruba quarter of Ota. He is a member of the Ikogun/Igebe family, who presents potential candidates to seven Kingmakers: the Seriki of Oruba, the Asiwaju of Oruba, the Olori of Oruba, the Balogun of Oruba, the Oloregan, the Ojumo, and the Eleru of Oruba.
. This group was responsible for maintenance of law and order in Ota before the advent of the police. Two of them, the Oluwo and the Lisa, also participate as Kingmakers.
The Oluwo is a highly placed position among Ota's chiefs. He conducts the inauguration ceremonies of the four quarter chiefs and is also responsible for performing traditional Yoruba rituals at the Ojudinobi grove
. Following the installation of a new Olota, the Oluwo performs rituals for him on the third, ninth, seventeenth, and ninetieth days following his installation.
The Lisa is one of the most important officers in the Ogboni secret society, and makes vital decisions in the day to day running of the group. Before the introduction of Western-style laws, he also played a major part of the justice system in Ota. The Lisa is chosen from the Idowu-Eleku family, and the head of the family presents candidates to a group of ten Kingmakers: the Ajana of Ijana, the Balogun, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Apena of Osugbo Itoki, the Apena of Osugbo Itoki, the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Eletu of Ijana.
The Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki is the chief priest
of the secret society. He is also known as Olitoki. The Osugbo Itoki is located near the Esa night market
in Ota. His duties include worshiping the edan and offering sacrifices.
". His office insignia
is a sword
. He chairs the committee of Kingmakers.
There are three ruling houses that produce the Balogun: the Mosuro family, the Osho Onibudo family, and the Ajuwon family. These houses rotate to ensure each has an opportunity to provide candidates. Candidates must be male members of the ruling house, but females may be proposed as candidates if there are no qualified male candidates. The candidates are presented by the head of the family to nine Kingmakers: the Ijana of Ijana quarter, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Lisa, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Eletu of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.
Two ruling houses produce candidates for the Odota: the Odo-Idota and Oke-Idota. Each family alternates in producing candidates. The head of the family brings the candidates before a group of eight Kingmakers: the Onikotun of Otun quarter, the Oluwo, the Odofin, the Aro, the Apena of Osugbo, the Balogun of Otun, the Olori of Otun, and the Eletu of Otun.
. The Aro dresses the incoming Olota in his traditional dress. The Aro also wears the Olota's traditional dress when he himself is inaugurated. He also performs traditional rites when an Olota dies.
The Aro is chosen from the Aro family of Ilata. The head of the family brings the candidates before a group of seven Kingmakers: the Okikotun of Otun, the Odota, the Odofin, the Oluwo, the Apena, the Balogun of Otun, and the Olori of Otun.
, the Iyalode is the First Lady
to the Oba and represents the interests of the women of the realm at his court, being higher in rank than even his princesses consort
. As opposed to the other traditional chief positions, the Iyalode is always a woman.
Ota, Nigeria
Ota is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, and has an estimated 163,783 residents living in or around it Ota is the capital of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. The traditional leader of Ota is the Olota of Ota, Oba Alani Oyede...
. Many also form the group of Kingmakers who select the traditional ruler, or Oba
Oba (ruler)
Oba is a West African synonym for monarch, one that is usually applied to the Yoruba and Edo rulers of the region. It is also often used by their traditional subjects to refer to other kings and queens, such as Elizabeth I of England, in their native languages.-Edo account of the word's origin:The...
, of Ota: the Olota of Ota
Olota of Ota
The Olota of Ota is the traditional, yet ceremonial, sovereign of Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also called an Oba.Historically, the Olota of Ota was a crowned ruler whose power came from the traditional homeland of the Yoruba, Ile-Ife...
.
Chiefly positions are hereditary. When a traditional chief dies, his or her family lineage performs rites and then meets to determine the new chief. Once one or more candidates are chosen by the family, they are presented to a local group of kingmaker
Kingmaker
Kingmaker is a term originally applied to the activities of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick — "Warwick the Kingmaker" — during the Wars of the Roses in England. The term has come to be applied more generally to a person or group that has great influence in a royal or political succession,...
s who make the final decision. These local Kingmakers include the Apena of Osugbo Ota, the Odogun of Ota, the Asalu of Ota, the Ojumo of Ota, and the Oloregan of Ota. The procedure for choosing new chiefs is governed by the Chiefs Law of 1957, Section 4(2) of the Customary Law.
All chiefly candidates must be male members of the appropriate ruling houses. Female candidates may be acceptable if there are no qualified male candidates. The Iyalode of Ota is the sole exception, as this title is always held by a woman.
Olorogun Chiefs
The four Olorogun chiefs are also known as quarter chiefs. Each quarter is a section of the town of Ota that each chief is responsible for overseeing. These chiefs can judge minor disputes between the people in his quarter and also represent the minor chieftainsTribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
in their quarter to the Olota and the Kingmakers council.
The group of Kingmakers that select the Olorogun chiefs are different for each of the four titles. Each Kingmaker group consists of a combination of minor chiefs from the quarter as well as some higher ranking chiefs that sit on the Olota Kingmaker committee.
- The Ajana of Ijana quarter
Ajana means "One who fights on the road" in the Yoruba language
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
. He is the most senior chief in the Ijana quarter of Ota. Traditionally, the Ajana led the residents of his quarter to fight any potential threats to Ota, as Ijana quarter is the gateway to the town of Ota. He was also responsible for imprisoning and punishing criminals. Because of this, he is considered the first among equals among the Olorogun chiefs.
There are two ruling houses that produce Ajanas: the Ijitsu and the Aribiti. Each alternates in choosing the next Ajana. The candidates are presented by the family head to the nine Kingmakers: the Balogun, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Lisa, the Eletu of Ijana, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.
- The Onikotun of Otun quarter
The title Onikotun comes from Oniko-Otun, meaning "The representative of Otun" in the Yoruba language
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
. The Onikotun ranks second to the Ajana. He is the head chief of the Otun quarter of Ota, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There is only one ruling house that produces the Onikotun: the Ijagba family. The family head presents candidates to six Kingmakers: the Odota, the Odofin, the Aro, the Olori of Otun, the Oluwo, and the Balogun of Otu.
- The Onikosi of Osi quarter
The title Onikosi is a shortened form of Oniko-Osi, which means "Representative of Osi" in the Yoruba language
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
. He is the head chief of the Osi quarter, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There are three ruling houses that produce candidates for the Onikosi: the Iloti, the Isiki, and the Ikin. The three houses rotate to allow each a chance to produce an Onikosi. The head of the family presents candidates to ten Kingmakers: the Ekerin, the Bada of Osi, the Balogun of Osi, the Olori of Iwaiye, the Akeja Oniyanru of Osi, the Odogun, the Olori of Osi, the Seriki of Osi, the Asalu, and the Odofin of Osugbo Itoki.
- The Akogun of Oruba quarter
The Akogun is equal in rank to the Onikosi, and is the head chief of the Oruba quarter of Ota. He is a member of the Ikogun/Igebe family, who presents potential candidates to seven Kingmakers: the Seriki of Oruba, the Asiwaju of Oruba, the Olori of Oruba, the Balogun of Oruba, the Oloregan, the Ojumo, and the Eleru of Oruba.
Ogboni Chiefs
These eight chiefs represent the Ogboni (or Osugbo) secret societySecret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
. This group was responsible for maintenance of law and order in Ota before the advent of the police. Two of them, the Oluwo and the Lisa, also participate as Kingmakers.
- The Oluwo of Ota
The Oluwo is a highly placed position among Ota's chiefs. He conducts the inauguration ceremonies of the four quarter chiefs and is also responsible for performing traditional Yoruba rituals at the Ojudinobi grove
Grove (nature)
A grove is a small group of trees with minimal or no undergrowth, such as a sequoia grove, or a small orchard planted for the cultivation of fruits or nuts...
. Following the installation of a new Olota, the Oluwo performs rituals for him on the third, ninth, seventeenth, and ninetieth days following his installation.
- The Apena of Ota
- The Lisa of Ota
The Lisa is one of the most important officers in the Ogboni secret society, and makes vital decisions in the day to day running of the group. Before the introduction of Western-style laws, he also played a major part of the justice system in Ota. The Lisa is chosen from the Idowu-Eleku family, and the head of the family presents candidates to a group of ten Kingmakers: the Ajana of Ijana, the Balogun, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Apena of Osugbo Itoki, the Apena of Osugbo Itoki, the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Eletu of Ijana.
- The Ashipa of Ota
- The Odofin of Ota
- The Oloregan of Ota
- The Ashiwaju Oodua of Ota
- The Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki
The Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki is the chief priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of the secret society. He is also known as Olitoki. The Osugbo Itoki is located near the Esa night market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
in Ota. His duties include worshiping the edan and offering sacrifices.
Balogun of Ota
The Balogun of Ota is considered an enforcer, and is sometimes referred to as a "generalissimoGeneralissimo
Generalissimo and Generalissimus are military ranks of the highest degree, superior to Field Marshal and other five-star ranks.-Usage:...
". His office insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
is a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
. He chairs the committee of Kingmakers.
There are three ruling houses that produce the Balogun: the Mosuro family, the Osho Onibudo family, and the Ajuwon family. These houses rotate to ensure each has an opportunity to provide candidates. Candidates must be male members of the ruling house, but females may be proposed as candidates if there are no qualified male candidates. The candidates are presented by the head of the family to nine Kingmakers: the Ijana of Ijana quarter, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Lisa, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Eletu of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.
Seriki of Ota
The Seriki is produced from two ruling houses: the Ojo Seriki family and the Shittu Bashorun family. Each family alternates in producing candidates for the Seriki. Candidates are presented by the head of the family to the nine Kingmakers: the Ajaua of Ijana quarter, the Balogun, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Lisa, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.Ekerin of Ota
The Ekerin is produced from the Osunlabu Ekerin family. Candidates are presented to ten Kingmakers: the Onikosi of Osi quarter, the Odogun, the Bada of Osi, the Olori of Osi, the Balogun of Osi, the Seriki, the Asalu, the Olori Iwaiye, the Akeja Oniyanru of Osi, and the Odofin of Osugbo Itoki.Odota of Ota
The first Odota of Ota was Olaforikanmi, who was crowned in 1621. Along with the Aro of Ota, the Odota performs the installation rites for a new Olota. The Odota also cares for several Yoruba shrines including Bata Erin, Apesefun, Awurela, and Orisa Ara.Two ruling houses produce candidates for the Odota: the Odo-Idota and Oke-Idota. Each family alternates in producing candidates. The head of the family brings the candidates before a group of eight Kingmakers: the Onikotun of Otun quarter, the Oluwo, the Odofin, the Aro, the Apena of Osugbo, the Balogun of Otun, the Olori of Otun, and the Eletu of Otun.
Aro of Ota
The Aro works with the Odota to perform traditional rites for an Olota's inaugurationInauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
. The Aro dresses the incoming Olota in his traditional dress. The Aro also wears the Olota's traditional dress when he himself is inaugurated. He also performs traditional rites when an Olota dies.
The Aro is chosen from the Aro family of Ilata. The head of the family brings the candidates before a group of seven Kingmakers: the Okikotun of Otun, the Odota, the Odofin, the Oluwo, the Apena, the Balogun of Otun, and the Olori of Otun.
Iyalode of Ota
Referred to as Oba Obirin or "King of the Women" in Yoruba mythologyMythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
, the Iyalode is the First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
to the Oba and represents the interests of the women of the realm at his court, being higher in rank than even his princesses consort
Princess consort
Princess consort is a title or an informal designation normally given to the wife of a sovereign prince. Since a male sovereign ruler is generally titled as a king and not a prince, the title of princess consort is not widely used. More rarely, it may be given to the spouse of a king, if the more...
. As opposed to the other traditional chief positions, the Iyalode is always a woman.