The Oyo empire

Object Details

Author

Pemberton, John 1928-2016

Subject

Shango (Yoruba deity)

The consolidation of power by the Alaafin of Oyo in the late seventeenth century and the rise of the Oyo Empire prefigured the spread of Oyo's influence and its dominance of Yoruba history for the next two centuries. The old capital of Oyo, Oyo-Ile, was visited by Hugh Clapperton in 1826, and he has left us some glimpses of life at the royal court. Although Oyo-Ile was abandoned soon after Clapperton's visit, the archaeological record provides further evidence on this capital city.

In establishing his political legitimacy, the Alaafin of Oyo claimed descent from Shango, who according to myth was the fourth Alaafin. Although there are several Shango myths, it is clear that Shango figures prominently in Yoruba cultural history, and his presence in Oyo and areas under its suzerainty continues to be important.

The Shango cult, its shrines, the dance wand (oshe Shango) and related oral traditions remain central features of Oyo Yoruba culture. Pemberton discusses the many visual and ceremonial manifestations of Shango. The cult of twins (ibeji) is yet another major cultural feature throughout this large area of Yorubaland. Carved on the death of a twin, these small ere ibeji figures are ubiquitous and offer a whole range of regional stylistic variations. The Yoruba masquerade for the ancestors (egungun) originated among the Oyo Yoruba; indeed Clapperton witnessed one such performance during that 1826 visit.

Includes some color illustrations and map.

AFAINDEX5

1989

Call number

N7399.N52 Y68 1989X

Type

Articles

History

Place

Nigeria

Oyo

Oyo Empire

Africa

Smithsonian Libraries

Topic

Art, Yoruba

History

Mythology, Yoruba

Egúngún (Cult)

Oshun (Cult)

Alaafin of Oyo

Yoruba regalia

Yoruba shrines

Ere ibeji

Oyo (African people)

Record ID

siris_sil_552036

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0