The Olowo of Owo is the paramount Yoruba king of Owo, a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria which was the capital of Yoruba between 1400 and 1600 AD.[1][2] Ojugbelu Arere, the first Olowo of Owo was the direct descendant of Oduduwa known as the father of the Yorubas. The current Olowo of Owo is His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III,[3] who is also the 32nd paramount ruler of Owo kingdom. The name Owo meaning Respect, is said to have been coined from the intrigue attitude of Ojugbelu, the first Olowo of Owo.[4]
| Olowo of Owo | |
|---|---|
| Incumbent | |
 | |
| Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III since 2019 | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Ojugbelu Arere |
| Residence | Owo Kingdom Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria |
Ruling families
editOwo is ruled by princes who are descendants of Olowo Elewuokun according to Ifá consultations.[5][6] The king is often assisted by appointed chiefs collectively known as Edibo Ologho and other chief such as the, Sashere, Ojumu Odo, Elerewe Ayida, Ajana Atelukoluko, the Ifa priest of Owo and Akowa loja who is the head of chiefs in Iloro quarters of Owo.[7][8] According to Owo traditions, the Olowo is often appointed by king-makers, Omolowo's after which the iloro chiefs under the leadership of Akowa loja play a significant role in the king installations.[9] The iloro chief comprises the senior chiefs collectively known as Ighare and the others collectively known as the Ugbama.[10] Both play a major role during the installation of the appointed Olowo of Owo.
Reigned Olowo
edit- Ojugbelu Arere, (1019-1070) the first Olowo of Owo
- Olowo Imade (1070-1106)
- Olowo Korodo(1106-1156)
- Olowo Agwobojoro(1156-1209)
- Olowo Odondon (1209-1260)
- Olowo Ajegunren (1260-1305)
- Olowo Asunsola(1305 -1332)
- Olowo Rerengejen(1340-1356)
- Olowo Asunsoma(1356-1386)
- Olowo Geja/Ogeja(1386-1430)
- Olowo Imagele(1430-1481)
- Olowo Alamuren(1481-1539)
- Olowo Omasan(1539-1578)
- Olowo Omaro(1578-1600)
- Olowo Osogboye(1600-1648)
- Olowo Alubiolokun(1648-1690)
- Olowo Otutubosun(1690-1719)
- Olowo Ajagbusiekon(1719-1760)
- Olowo Ajaka(1760-1781)
- Olowo Elewuokun(1781-1833)
- Olowo Aghagunghaye & Sons(1833-1876)
- Olowo Adaraloye (1876-1880)
- Olowo Aladetoun (1880-1889)
- Olowo Aralepo Olubila(1889)
- Olowo Olagbegi Atanneye I(1889-1902)
- Olowo Olateru Olagbegi I(1913-1938)
- Olowo Ajike Ogunoye (1938-1941)[11]
- Olowo Olateru Olagbegi II (1941-1968)
- Olowo Adekola Ogunoye II (1968-1993)
- Olowo Olateru Olagbegi II (1993-1999)
- Olowo Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III (1999-2019).
- Olowo Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III (July 2019 - till date)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Smith (1988), Kingdoms of the Yoruba, p.51.
- ^ "Owo culture of ancient Nigeria". Vanguard News. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Ajibade emerges new Olowo of Owo". Punch Newspapers. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ Smith (1988), Kingdoms of the Yoruba, p.52.
- ^ "Nigeriaworld -- Dramatic changes in the Palaces: An expired tradition in Yoruba Nation". Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Akinola, Wale. "Nigeria: Before Owo Explodes Again".
- ^ "www.ngrguardiannews.com". news.biafranigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
- ^ "Deji Of Akure Part 3: The Trojan Horse Plea Of The Deposed Deji By Dr. Wumi Akintide". Sahara Reporters. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Tension in Owo over vacant stool". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Details - The Nation Archive". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Taiwo Abiodun. "At 103, griot says 'I need a wife'". The Nation. Retrieved 30 December 2014.