OYO Empire

Oyo Empire

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The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire in West Africa. It was located in present-day eastern Benin and western Nigeria (including the South West zone and the western half of the North Central zone). The empire grew to become the largest Yoruba-speaking state through the organizational and administrative efforts of the Yoruba people, trade, as well as the military use of cavalry. The Oyo Empire was one of the most politically important states in Western Africa from the mid-17th to the late 18th century,[2] and held sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states, notably the Fon Kingdom of DahomeyOyo Empire during the 17th–18th centuries

Oyo Empire during the 17th–18th centuries

Status

Empire

Capital

Oyo-Ile (1300–1535); (1600–1896)

Oyo-Igboho (1600)

Common languages

Yoruba

Religion

Yoruba religion, Islam, Christianity

Government

Elective Monarchy

Alaafin

• c. 1300

Oranmiyan

• ????–1896

Adeyemi I Alowolodu

Legislature

Oyo Mesi and Ogboni

Area

1680[1]

150,000 km2 (58,000 sq mi)

Preceded by Succeeded by

Ife Empire

Ilorin Emirate

Ibadan

Today part of

Yorubaland · Nigeria · Benin

Oyo Empire and surrounding states, c. 1625.

House of Oranyan

Nigerian royal dynasty

The Elephant (Ajanaku), totem of the kings and emperors of Oyo prior to Abiodun

The veve of Ogun, war god of the Yoruba and totem of both the emperors and kings that have followed Abiodun and the various members of the Bashorun chieftaincy family that have served the state throughout its history

Parent house

Oodua

Current region

Yorubaland

Founded

c. 13th century

Founder

Oranyan

Current head

Interregnum

Titles

Oba Alaafin of Oyo

Oba Obirin of Oyo

Iba Bashorun of Oyo

Iba Aare Ona Kakanfo of Oyo

Iba of Oyo

Oloye of Oyo

Omoba of Oyo

Oloori of Oyo

Style(s)

Kabiyesi

Majesty

Imperial Highness

Members

Abiodun

Oluyole

Candido da Fonseca Galvao

Connected families

Ife royal family

Bini royal family

Traditions

Ifá

Christianity

Islam

Motto

A ki ro'ba fi la le de Oyo, o ya e je a lo ree Alaafin (Yoruba for "Oyo, Descendants of the Alaafin")

Cadet branches

Alowolodu (Oyo)

Agunloye (Oyo)

Oluyole (Ibadan)

Ona Aka (Oyo)

Afonja (Ilorin)