28/07/2024
AKOKO SPOTLIGHT 1.0: History of Arigidi Akoko
"Arigidi, Ondo, Nigeria", hometown of Aare Anakankafo of Yorubaland "Iba Gani Adams", the national coordinator of Oodua people's Congress (OPC), and many other reputes like; Late Snr Prophet T.B Joshua, founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN); Late Prince Solaco Olanipekun; Late Primate Oladunni; Dr Nat Adojutelegan, Chief Owolo, CEO of Alleluya Hotels and Suites; and many more.
Presents a unique historical evolution that will interest any discerning scholar nay reader.The history of Arigidi,which is located in present day Ondo state,Nigeria,dates back to early 19th century.
The people of Arigidi, are said to migrate five different settlements, which three of the communities includes; Ile-Ife, Oyo, and Benin. They settled in Arigidi in 1819. Going by the intelligence report of 1933 by J.H Eslop, some the people of Arigidi migrated from Benin and that community was referred to as the "Akoko Edo". According to another source, there is a claim that the people of Arigidi migrated from Ife and settled in their present location. The population of the community during that era was less than 500 people.
During the Yoruba civil wars of 18th century, the Arigidi people used the mountains as their abode or place of refuge due to the expansionist war of the Nupe warlords of the period. It is important to note that the Nupe people came to Arigidi with slaves captured from Kaba and it's environs. Arigidi was also a commercial centre for the Nupe. Apart from being used as a place where slaves were kept, the commercial commodities such as mats, ivory, hide and skin bought from Warri by the Nupe people were sold at Arigidi.
There was a cave which was used as a refuge by the Arigidi people whenever war was waged against them by external invaders. It is on record that whenever the Arigidi people desired to emerge victorious in wars, there existed some powerful millets called "Oka" in Yoruba which they used to defeat their foes. According to oral tradition, those millets(Oka) was so efficacious and powerful that the number of millets thrown into the water during war would result in the death of the corresponding number of external invaders. The community noted for using the "Oka" was Esin.This was indeed a striking characteristics of the Arigidi people during that period and even till date.
Prior to the advent of the Europeans in Arigidi, there existed no school, no church but there was a system of political leadership headed by the Ogbaragbara.Ogbaragbara was succeeded by his son, called Ajomu, who around the late 18th century, established his kingdom and exerted effective political authority like his late father. During Ajomu's reign, farming was the predominant economic activity engaged in by people of Arigidi. Among the major agricultural produce traded in were cocoa, cotton, cassava, yam tubers and others.
There are several festivals celebrated by the people of Arigidi before Christianity was introduced. Among them was Agbogbo. It was usually held and celebrated after the harvest of yam. The Agbogbo was also used as a calendar for other traditional occasions.
Aborigi masquerade was one of the masquerades that would entertain people with its marvelous cultural displays during the Agbogbo festival. It was the Aborigi that would open floor before others would follow suit. Oral tradition reveals that the Aborigi masquerade would proceed to the Oba's palace before moving to the chief's places. No woman must see it and if any woman set eyes on it, she would die instantly.
The Palace of the Oba was constructed along Arigidi/Iye road in 1902. One unique feature of the Oba Arigidi's Palace then was that Two imposing statues of lions were erected at both right and left positions of the palace with a statue of eagle at the centre. It was from the palace that the people moved in 1934 to their present location. One of the factors that motivated the movement was lack of adequate accomodation. The palace became too small as the royal family grew larger.
It was reported that the Oba had 18 wives and almost 100 children. Because of the large size of the Oba's family, he was fondly called "Oba Asumo Oniyawo Mejidinlogun" (meaning King Asumo with the 18 wives) by the Arigidi chiefs and people.
The people of Arigidi believed strongly in idol worshipping and took so much delight in worshipping idols such as Illiben, Omoradiye, iyorobi, Okota, Ediyo among others. Because the society was largely pagan settlement; traditional religion was very popular among the people of Arigidi. Among the major masquerade in Arigidi apart from Aborogi, were Ele, Adifa peleke and Aromushewa Takotabo. If it is fascinating to know that the man who introduced and brought the Aromushewa Masquerade to Arigidi was the grandfather of Iba (Dr.)Gani Adams. The Aromushewa masquerade possessed some intriguing and mysterious power and qualities. Anytime the Aromushewa Takotabo (a male and a female) were seen dancing at the facade of any house, it meant that a marriage was to take place or imminent in that particular house.
There was also a masquerade called Egun Ede which was very instrumental in restoring peace and harmony to the community. Whenever there were famine and drought in the land, the community leaders used the Ede masquerade to appeal to the gods for rain.
In 1900, Christianity was introduced to Arigidi after the establishment of Lugard's colonial rule in Nigeria. Following the introduction, a CMS church was built but was set ablaze by the people who felt it was an affront on their religious sensibilities.
The people of Arigidi found it extremely difficult to abandon and give in their cherished traditional religion to Christianity. The British administration reacted to the development and set up a panel of enquiry to look into the matter. Two people were nabbbed and tried at a Kaba court. They were pronounced guilty and fined sum of 25 pounds each. Due to the hostile disposition of the Arigidi people to the whites and coupled with administrative inconvenience, the Arigidi community was merged with the people of Ogbagi in present day Ondo state as punishment for burning down the church.
The Okota river was and is a darling to the people of Arigidi because of its significance and healing powers. The river was noted for;
One, Barren woman who was in need of children could drink from the river and would become pregnant after a short time. Two, men and women who were sick could be healed when given water from the Okota River to drink.
In 1916, the CSM church was rebuilt and the first primary school was established in Arigidi in the same year. The St.Paul Primary School remains the Oldest and first school founded to educate the people of Arigidi. The school, since it's establishment has produced great and noble Nigerians who were and are indigenes of the Arigidi community. Among them were, one Papa Atotona Balogun, who was one time Chief Tax collector of the defunct western region.
Others were Oba M.A Olanipekun, one time Deputy whip of western region, house of Representatives, Engr.C.S Akande and the likes of Justice Orono, a former court judge. It is instructive to know that the oldest man in Arigidi till date is Agunloye. He is about 109 years. He can still see, go to farm and none of his tooth is missing.
Over the years, the new yam festival, which is celebrated July 20th of every year, matamorphosed into what is known today as the Arigidi day in Ondo state, there is also the Okota festival which is marked during the same period.
According to reliable source, before Christianity was accepted; people of the town so much believed in traditional religion and took strongly in worshipping them. Several festivals existed in Arigidi,such as Agbogbo, Ajagbo and Aresho. The former was usually held and celebrated after the harvest of yam. It was also used as a calendar for other traditional events. Masquerades was also celebrated in Arigidi that is, Egun Ede, Aborogi, Ele, Koromomo, Adifa peleke, Aromushewa Takotabo, Awooye etcetera. Egun Ede is a masquerade that people in the town cherished so much. Its useful to bring peace and harmony to the community.
