The History of Ede town, series 4.
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION IN EDE TOWN.
Monarchical system in Ede.
Traditional rulership entails the reign of a monarch or a title ruler vested with the authority to rule over a people in their affairs of life and geographical location. Therefore the traditional institutions are headed by traditional rulers and these institutions are very vital in bringing development closer to the rural people.
However, the position of monarch in Yoruba traditional system is very unique like any other traditional institutions in the country. That uniqueness is very much implied in the tradition of the culture of the race which are very dynamic. A monarch,the Oba of a particular town in Yoruba land is peculiar,even though when ultimately he traces his root back to one and the same ancestor,Oduduwa like all other progenitor. Therefore the Oba is the epitome of Yoruba tradition and culture.
Timi is a Paramount ruler s well as spiritual, traditional and political head in his town, Ede land,(i.e Head of Ede land) He remain the prescribed and the consenting head in Ede land. He has the traditional right to appoint,ascent or consent the appointment as well as the judicial and consenting authority of all the Obas,chiefs and all the residents in Ede land. Traditionally, chieftain such as Balogun,Otun Balogun,Jagun,Aareago,Agbaakin and Ikolaba were important members of his administration when major decisions were to be taken.
The Ifa Oracle was the chief consultant and its divination was the final directive. This was the early practice system of installing chiefs in Ede town,and that tradition remains till today. Timi (The King) rules with the support and advice of the other Obas,chiefs and all heads of ruling families (The Mogajis) in town. Ede is possibly the only town in this area that has administrative cabinet dominated by the chiefs. Hence Balogun,Jagun and Oluodes are located at the strategic entry points of the ancient town of Ede.
The fact that many war chief appeared in the list of members of Ede administrative council shows succinctly that Ede was purely militant in nature. i.e with military dominated history.
In 1913, the town was split in to administrative quarters to facilitate the collection of homages whereby the following chiefs were allocated divisions: Babasanya,Alajue,Areago,Olusokun,and Jagun at the same time Obado (Oludo) and other Obas like Alawo,Olójo,Aragberi,Loogun and Ologobi collected homages on behalf of and with the authority of Timi Ede.
TRADITIONAL RITES
Yoruba is very rich in culture,norms and tradition. It is the only ethnic group in Nigeria that religion has not eroded its traditional practices, especially when it comes to installation of king and traditional chiefs and traditional government. Despite the fact that the civilization has eaten deep in to the fabric of Yoruba tradition and culture,there are some major areas where core and ancient Yoruba’s practices are maintained. One of such areas is the traditional rites in the installation of Obas in Yoruba land.
Before an Oba would be installed in Yoruba land,he must pass through some ritual processes. In Ede,before a Timi would be installed,it is traditionally mandatory for him to perform some traditional rites. Such include: The new Timi must stay in sacred house traditionally referred to as Asiepebi. The Timi will be schedule in Ipebi for seven days where he would be subjected to some Royal rituals believed to be historical. There are two Ipebis in Ede, One at Babasanya compound and two at Ikolaba’s compound.
History has it that the late Timi Oba Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi (Agbonran the second) underwent his Installation rite at Babasanya’s Ipebi in 1976. The contest for the selection of new Timi,who was to succeed Timi John Adetoyese Laoye, (1946-1975) was tough and intimidating, before his final selection, Oba Oyewusi faced strong opposition. Some indigenes of Ede confirmed that nobody knew he was going to be selected and installed as the Timi, Alas when Oyewusi was finally proclaimed the new Timi of Ede land,protest erupted the town and he was barred from performing his traditional rites at the existing Ipebi at Ikolaba’s compound. Consequently Oba Oyewusi re-established and renovated another Ipebi at the ruling house of Babasanya’s compound. The Ipebi is said to be more beautiful with modern facilities compared with that of Ikolaba where he was barred.
The current Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal (Laminida 1) underwent his Royal rite at the Ipebi Ikolaba which is said to be the ancient.
As a town it is believed that there are regular rites being performed by the assigned traditional chiefs and people to keep the ancient town calm and safe. But these rites are not to be disclosed by the various sources. The installation of every Timi is normally done at the shrine of Ogun.
The newly installed Timi has to dance round the shrine with gun shots heralding him to the esteem office.
Like it happened in other ancient towns of Yoruba land,there are specific rites to be performed before the installation of any traditional chieftain in Ede land. On the day of installation, New bouldia leafs ( Ewe Akòko) will be placed on the head of traditional chief (including a king) as a symbol of chieftaincy coronation.
THE RULING HOUSE IN EDE LAND.
In the most of the towns in Ede land,ruling houses are historical and the established rules is the presence of ruling houses which is derived from either the founder,(s) of the town or progenitor. Some towns have only one ruling house,while there are multiple in some others.
Ibadan for instance,and perhaps some other not do prominent towns are towns where ascendancy to the throne is not by any established ruling houses.
Ede is one of the towns with ruling houses. It has six ruling houses in the gazette which are identified as 👉 AGBONRAN, OYEFI,ODUNIYI,AROHANRAN,and AJENJU. However, LAMODI and OYEWOLE LALEMO ruling houses are still battling with legal process and are yet to be approved by the government. The six ruling houses have produced 13 Obas among themselves since the establishment of the new Ede till date.
Ruling houses in the present Ede and the numbers of Timi produced as follows👇
Agbonran ruling house produced 2.
Oyefi ruling house 1
Oduniyi ruling house 1
Laminisa ruling house 1
Arohanran ruling houses 3
Ajenju Ruling house 5.
THE PRESENT AND PAST TIMI OF EDE LAND.
Kingship as an institution has come a long way since the reigning of Timi .
Below is the list of past and present Paramount rulers in Ede land 👇
Alapotiemi tiemi (Timi Olofa Ina) 1495-1796.
Timi Olofa Ina
Timi Laokun
Timi Lamodi
Timi Lalemon
Timi Alale
Timi Oniyito
Timi Oyefi
Timi Lasiyi
Timi Kubolaje Agbonran 1796-1824.
Timi Bamigbaye Ajenju 1824-1841.
Timi Ojo Arohanran 1841-1848.
Timi Abibu Lagunju 1848-1892.
Timi Olunloye 1865-1872.
Timi Lamisebe 1882-1889.
Timi Masunloye 1889-1899.
Timi Oyenekan 1899-1924.
Timi Ipinoye 1924-1933.
Timi Sanusi Akangbe 1934-1946.
Timi John Adetoyese Laoye 1946-1975.
Timi Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi Agbonran the second 1976-2007.
Timi Munirudeen Adesola Lawal Laminisa the first. 2008 till date.
QUARTERS IN EDE LAND.
This refers to the head of the ruling family representatives in the palace (Mogaji) Ede has six (6) distinctive quarters which are>>> Mogaji of Arohanran
Mogaji of Laminisa
Mogaji of Oyefi
Mogaji of Agbonran
Mogaji of Oduniyi
Mogaji of Ajenju.
Concluded.
