Orangun

Orangun or Ọ̀ràngún is the title of both paramount kings of the Yoruba kingdoms of Oke-Ila and Ila Orangun as well as their ancient (originally united) kingdom of Ila-Yara of northeastern Yorubaland, presently in southwestern Nigeria.

History

According to Yoruba oral history, the first Òràngún was the fourth son of Odùduwà, the mythical ancestor of the Yoruba, who was king at Ile-Ife in ancient times. Odùduwà’s fourth son was named Fagbamila and nicknamed Òràngún. The nickname is a contraction of Ọ̀ràn mí gún, meaning "my situation is perfect", although an alternative but implausible etymology exists.

Odùduwà is said to have given a crown to each of his seven sons (some accounts say seven grandsons, and yet others claim sixteen grandsons) and sent them off to found their own kingdoms.

The first Òràngún was given a massive, curved cutlass called "Ogbo" by Odùduwà to clear his way in the forest but the main purpose of the "Ogbo" gift was the inherent power to lead the young prince to a suitable place to settle down and establish his own kingdom. This "Ogbo" is claimed by oral historians.^[1] as the source of the name "Igbomina" (from "Ogbo mi mo ona" or "Ogbo mo ona", a statement attributed to the original Òràngún, meaning "My Ogbo knows the way", or "The Ogbo knows the way"), which the Yoruba sub-ethnic of northeastern Yorubaland (of Òsun and Kwara States of Nigeria) are called.

This translation of Ogbo is only one interpretation; in standardized Yoruba, Ogbo in fact means Long Life, or Senior citizen, depending on where the accents are.^[2] Ada, is the yoruba word for cutlass, Ogbo mi mo ona would correctly translate to "My elder shows me the road".

Orangun of Oke-Ila and Ila

In Oke-Ila Orangun one of the twin sister-kingdoms, and capital of Ifedayo Local Government area of Osun State, the current Orangun is Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin.

He is from the Obasolo Ruling House, one of the four ruling houses among which the title rotates in Oke-Ila Orangun. He was installed on December 8, 2006.

In Ila Orangun, the other of the sister kingdoms, and capital of Ila Local Government area of Osun State, the current Orangun is Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun.

For the first time in more than three centuries, the two Orangun reigning in both Oke-Ila and Ila are descendants of Arutu Oluokun, the younger prince who led the exodus of the youth from the united kingdom at Ila Yara about 500 years ago. Some siblings of Arutu Oluokun stayed loyal to the then Orangun Apakiimo, and migrated with him to Igbohun (the initial name for Oke-Ila Orangun).

References

1. Babalola, Olufemi Oladapo. “The Obaala Babalola Adekeye's History of Oke-Ila Orangun - Historical and Constitutional Development of The Ìgbómìnà-Yorùbá Kingdom of Oke-Ila Orangun from its Foundation to British Imperio-Colonialism”. Butubutu Publishers. Austin, Texas. August 1984.
2. see Chief Fama's Orisa dictionary, Kayode Fakinlede's Yoruba: moder practical dictionary, Wande Abimbola, Ifa an exposition of literary corpus, or any other reputable traditional Yoruba Ifa texts.