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PRE- COLONIALADMINISTRATION YORUBA LAND In discussing pre-colonial administration in the Yoruba land, old Oyo Empire was monarchial in nature. It is important to note that the system of administration was based on the principles of inheritance known as PATRILINEALITY (generations of male descendants). The story goes that all Yoruba’s have their origins in Ile Ife. Tradition has it that all Yoruba’s descended from a common ancestor known as Oduduwa who settled in Ile Ife. Some claim that Ododuwa came from the sky and settled in Ile Ife; others claim that he came from that part of the world we now call the Middle East. Oduwa was said to have had seven sons who became the kings of the original Yoruba kingdoms of Owu, Sabe, Popo, Benin, Illa, Ketu and Oyo. Ododuwa later moved his head-quarters from Ife to Oyo from where he administered all Yoruba kingdoms as the Oyo empire. Later many Yoruba kingdoms broke away from the Oyo Empire to form their own states. POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION: The administration of the empire involved the Alaafin, assisted by the Aremo, the Bashorun (prime minister) and the Oyomesi played a very key role in the administration. 1. POLITICAL HEAD: The Alafin was seen as the political head of the empire. He was chosen by the Oyomesi (seven hereditary kingmakers of the empire). He was highly respected as a representative of God on earth. The Alafin ruled in conjunction with the council of chiefs known as the Oyomesi. He was assisted b he Baale, and the Mogaji in the Administration of his kingdom. 2. THE AREMO: He was the eldest son of the ruling Alaafin but cannot succed his father at his demise. He can only work or assist the father in the administration of the empire 3. COUNCIL OF OYEMESI: They are seven hereditary king makers in the empire. They performed numerous functions; it was made up of prominent chiefs in the kingdom. The leader was Bashorun. They are responsible for installing new Alafin, if the ruling one happens to die. And they acted as the organs of checks and balances to the excesses of the king of the empire. They perfomed executive, legislative as well as judicial functions. They served as kingmakers who appointed the Oba, they offer a tyrannical Oba who has refused to change a calabash of parrot eggs with the following words ‘the land rejects you, the gods reject you, and the people reject you’. The Oba on receiving this calabash would either go on exile or commit suicide. 4. PROVINCIAL GOVENORS (Baale): each province was administered by the Baale. They guarantee the payment of tribute and paying of homage to Oyo. There was the claim that these rulers had the power to threaten any hardened Alafin or chief by invoking the god of thunder and lightning through the cult of sango. 5. ARE-ONA-KAKANFO (The Army): This is the head of army that is charged with the responsibility of defending the territory integrity of the empire. It was claimed that if the army suffers any defeat, the kakanfo should commit suicide 6. OGBONI SOCIETY: This was the secret cult that influenced event in the society. one of the constitutional function of the Ogboni society is to check the activities of the oyemesi. It is also their responsibility to moderate between alafin and Oyemesi council. They also performed the judiciary functions of judging cases especially criminal cases and sacrifice such as spilling of blood. FUNCTIONS OF THE OGBONI SOCIETY 1. THE 3 EUNUCHS: a. The Osi Efa is in charge of political affairs and customarily, he had to die with the Alaafin b. The Ona Efa is for the judiary c. The Otun Efa had to perform religious duties for Alaafin. 2. THE EMPTY CALABASH: the council of elders were in the position to make sure that the customs and traditions were respected by both the Alaafin and the people. 3. Kingship: the sucession of the throne of the Alaafin was not from father to son but the Oyomesi was free to choose a new ruler from the royal families. FUNCTIONS OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THE PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS 1. Maintenance of Law and order 2. They made laws, rules and regulations 3. They appoint subordinate chiefs to help in administration 4. Budget( traditional rulers were involved in raising and spending money) 5. They served as a symbol of unity and power 6. Traditional rulers were involved in allocation and sharing of communal wealth and resources. 7. Protection of their domain against external aggression. 8. Some of the traditional rulers acted as final court of appeal 9. They planned for the development and progress of their various communities FEATURES OF YORUBA TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM 1. The size of the political system was moderate 2. It was a constitutional monarch 3. There was a system of check and balances within the political system to ensure that political powers were not abused 4. There was no system of taxation 5. Policies and law making were not the responsibilities of the council of oyemesi