As with many traditions of origin of the Yoruba people, the traditions of origin of Ikare come in variants. This has in the past and even now generated some form of stoic and psychological but silent tensions. Through the analytical method, this paper clarifies the perceived doubt about the theme and concludes that the traditions, albeit different in narration, features some key Characters which in itself dispels the multi-content narratives.
The origin of the Yoruba nation is involved in obscurity. Like the early history of most nations, the commonly received accounts are for the most part purely legendary. The people being unlettered, and the language unwritten, all that is known is from traditions carefully handed down. It is also instructive to note that all the various tribes of the Yoruba nation trace their origin from Oduduwa and the city of Ile-ife. As evident from the above, Ikare-Akoko in the present Ondo State of Nigeria is not an exemption to this “universal claim” of the Yoruba. While admitting Ikare Ile-Ife origin (leaning on available evidences as would be presented shortly), series of recent development in the town has placed a traceable tradition of origin on a zigzag mode. In whichever case, an attempt shall be made to straighten the theme in this engagement.
As Akintoye indicated, our knowledge of the North Eastern part of Yoruba nation where Akoko North East belongs and of which Ikare is the Headquarter remains very poor. It is therefore against this backdrop that the accounts of Ikare origin shall be based to a larger extent on oral traditions as a resultant effect of the lack of reliable documentary evidence. Ikare is about 105 kilometres from Akure, the state capital. It is located in the North Eastern part of the state between latitudes 40-50 North of the equator and longitudes 30-40 East of the Greenwich meridian.
A proper understanding of this migration views can best be situated within the context of the present “Royal Tussle” between the “Two Heads” of this Akoko town, a link which in my own estimation cannot be detached from this discourse, as it is synonymous to the two principal traditions of origin. This, as I shall demonstrate shortly, played a pivotal role in peoples’ understanding of Ikare origin in the past and even now. With Ikare emigration from Ile-Ife established, the questions that should follow are; who led the emigrating crew and consequently founded Ikare, with whom did he emigrated, is there anything he was given or brought from Ile- s first settlement, how did the name (Ikare) came about, who was the first ruler. These questions are what this study seeks to address.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Traditions of Origin of Ikare
- The Batimehin Tradition
- The Agbaode Tradition
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to clarify the differing accounts of Ikare's origin, highlighting the common threads within these narratives despite their variations. The study focuses on resolving the perceived contradictions in the traditions and demonstrating the underlying unity in Ikare's history, tracing its origins back to Ile-Ife.
- Ikare's migration from Ile-Ife
- The role of oral traditions in understanding Ikare's history
- The "Royal Tussle" and its impact on interpretations of Ikare's origins
- The key figures in the founding of Ikare
- The significance of Ifa divination in the settlement of Ikare
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Foreword: This brief introduction acknowledges the existence of varying traditions surrounding Ikare's origins, hinting at the underlying tensions caused by these differing accounts. The paper promises to use analytical methods to clarify these accounts and highlight shared elements that resolve the apparent contradictions.
Introduction: The introduction establishes the context of Ikare's origin within the broader history of the Yoruba people. It notes the predominantly legendary nature of early Yoruba history due to a lack of written records, emphasizing the reliance on oral traditions. The chapter highlights Ikare's claimed Ile-Ife origin and introduces the complexities introduced by recent developments within the town. The introduction explicitly states the paper's objective: to reconcile conflicting accounts of Ikare's founding.
Traditions of Origin of Ikare: This chapter presents two main versions of Ikare's origin story. Both narratives trace Ikare's origins to Ile-Ife, emphasizing the importance of the smithery craft (Agbede) as a connecting point between Ife and Ikare. The chapter details the "Royal Tussle" as a crucial element shaping the understanding and interpretation of these traditions. The first tradition centers on Prince Batimehin's migration from Ile-Ife, detailing his journey, Ifa divination, and the sacrifices made to appease the land's gods. This narrative emphasizes the role of Ifa divination in choosing the settlement location. The second tradition focuses on Prince Agbaode's migration from Ile-Ife, explaining the journey, the significance of the Owa-Ale hill, and the roles of key figures in establishing the town. This tradition highlights the importance of the weaver birds and the hill's defining features in naming Ikare. Both accounts underline the process of migration, emphasizing specific details around the arrival at the present Ikare site and the establishment of the ruling dynasty, the Olukare, with Prince Batimehin or Agbaode as its founder.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Ikare, Ile-Ife, Yoruba, oral traditions, migration, Oduduwa, Batimehin, Agbaode, Ifa divination, Olukare dynasty, Agbede (smithery), "Royal Tussle," Akoko.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Ikare's Origins
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview provides a structured overview of a paper analyzing the differing accounts of Ikare's origin, focusing on reconciling conflicting traditions and highlighting the common threads in these narratives. It explores Ikare's migration from Ile-Ife, the role of oral traditions, and the influence of key figures and events in shaping Ikare's history.
What information does the preview include?
The preview offers a comprehensive overview, including the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It summarizes the main arguments and findings of the full paper, making it easily accessible for researchers and those interested in the history of Ikare.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Ikare's migration from Ile-Ife, the role of oral traditions in understanding Ikare's history, the impact of the "Royal Tussle" on interpretations of its origins, the key figures in its founding, and the significance of Ifa divination in its settlement.
What are the two main traditions of Ikare's origin discussed?
The paper presents the Batimehin tradition and the Agbaode tradition. Both traditions trace Ikare's origins to Ile-Ife, emphasizing the importance of the smithery craft (Agbede) as a connecting point. They differ in their details regarding the founding prince, the journey, and the specific events leading to Ikare's establishment.
How does the paper address the conflicting accounts of Ikare's origin?
The paper aims to resolve the perceived contradictions between the different traditions by highlighting common elements and demonstrating an underlying unity in Ikare's history, ultimately tracing its origins back to Ile-Ife.
What is the significance of Ifa divination in the narratives?
Ifa divination plays a crucial role in at least one of the traditions, guiding the choice of settlement location and influencing the establishment of Ikare.
What is the "Royal Tussle," and how does it impact the understanding of Ikare's origins?
The "Royal Tussle" refers to internal conflicts or disputes within Ikare that have influenced the interpretation and understanding of its founding narratives. This internal conflict has shaped the ways in which the different origin stories are understood and presented.
What are the key figures mentioned in the founding of Ikare?
The key figures include Prince Batimehin and Prince Agbaode, both considered potential founders of Ikare according to different traditions.
What is the role of oral traditions in understanding Ikare's history?
Given the lack of written records for early Yoruba history, oral traditions are crucial for understanding Ikare's origins. The paper highlights the importance of analyzing and interpreting these oral accounts to reconstruct the historical narrative.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Ikare, Ile-Ife, Yoruba, oral traditions, migration, Oduduwa, Batimehin, Agbaode, Ifa divination, Olukare dynasty, Agbede (smithery), "Royal Tussle," Akoko.
- Quote paper
- Mr. Afeez Tope Raji (Author), 2019, Rethinking Ikare Tradidions of Origin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/506241