01/05/2022
HISTORY OF ILORA TOWN
Ilora, a community located in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, was founded by a famous hunter called Akibio, who was on an expedition, according to historical facts and records. He settled in the land and later discovered its richness between the 15th and 16th century. The community is bounded by Awerele river to the south and Abojupa to the north. Ilora has 28 villages and farm settlements. The people are predominantly farmers; hence an average home has a poultry farm. It has an area of 722km2 and a population of 134,173 at the 2006 census and the postal code of the area is 211. Ilora is a largest town in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State thats ruled by a king called Akibio. Ilora land, the Home of the Brave that has produced Great Warriors, the likes of Aare-Ona-Kakanfo of all Yorubaland and ex-Olubadan of Ibadan land, Aare Obadoke Iyanda LATOOSA.
The traditional heritage of Ilora can be traced back to the father of the town called AKIBIO, He was a hunter and he was the one who discovered the power of the land and the area in the 15th century. The acclaimed man refer Ilora to be a land of fertilizer(fertility) which is ilu ora and later named her ILORA. Ilora is regarded as one of the prominent towns among the other Afijio towns and it has the most widest area of land because of its traditional heritage of the Obananko diety, The Oke POPO diety, and Odo Isanmi. Obananko is a diety that save or that the populace of Ilora regard as there savior. According to the history, the diety is located and possessed by a tree in an area in Ilora called IBODÈ, the tree is tied with a chain which is believed that when ever there is war the tree would save them from any kind of war they may be if they pull this chain.
In the 18th, it was report that some set of indigene of Ilora actually pull the savior chain of which there’s no war attacking them, that’s how the Obananko diety got angry and change its abode from IBODE and go into the bush where they farm, and since then the diety have been living there and the tree Obananko possessed remain till today as it’s mark. Also Odo-Isanmi has also remains as the town river which is a sign of the ancient believes. The first King to be crowned Akibio of Ilora land is Oba Stephen Olufemi, Oyeniyi, Oparinde II, not that he was the first king, there have been several kings that have reign and pass, the likes of Oba Daniel Ajekigbe Oparinde I, but Oba Stephen was the first traditional king of Ilora which was crowned by the Great Alaafin of Oyo. He was crowned on the 14 January, 2012. The most popular traditional work of this geographical area Ilora is known to be purely Agriculture(farming). FOLAWIYO Farms is one one of the biggest investment of the famers in Ilora as well as JESUS CRIST IS LORD (JCL) INVESTMENT, by Mr Afolabi(Afo’s).The little town is becoming great with the help of the King and the effortless work of its elders.
TRADITIONAL HERITAGE OF ILORA
The traditional heritage of Ilora can be traced back to the father of the town called Akibio, He was a hunter and he was the one who discovered the power of the land and the area in the 15th century. The acclaimed man refer Ilora to be a land of fertilizer(fertility) which is ilu ora and later named ILORA. Ilora is regarded as one of the prominent towns among the other Afijio towns because of its traditional heritage of the Obananko diety, The Oke POPO diety, and Odo Isanmi. Obananko is a diety that save or the pup place of Ilora regard as there savior. According to the history, the diety is located and possessed by a tree in an area in ilora called BODÈ, the tree is tied with a chain which is believed that when ever there is war the tree would save them from any kind of war they may be in.
In the 18th, it was report that some set of indigene of Ilora actually pull the savior chain of which there’s no war attacking them, that’s how the Obananko diety got angry and change its abode from BODE and go into the bush where they farm, and since then the diety have been living there and the tree Obananko possessed remain till today. Also Odo-Isanmi has also remains as the town river which is a sign of the ancient believes as well as the series of EGUNGUN’s.
TRADITIONAL OCCUPATION OF ILORA TOWN
The traditional occupation of Ilora is basically farming and hunting, so the people are predominantly farmers; hence an average home has a poultry farms, this could be illustrated with the massive land occupied by the great FOLAWIYO FARMS and JCL INVESTMENTS. There’s as been many successful farmers from the town Ilora and numerous number of learned person in higher places.
RELIGION PRACTICE IN ILORA
The religion of the town ilora is the normal tradition way of worshiping dieties like ORUNMILA, OGUN, SANGO, EGUNGUN and others, before the existence of the Islam and Christian religion in the 18th century.
CULTURE AND TRADITION
The culture and tradition of Ilora is so unique and best because it’s widely known that annually there’s always the celebration of the EGUNGUN festival, Oro where by it’s indicated or warned that no women both indigene and non indigene of Ilora should go out because women are forbidden from seen Oro. Also there’s annual celebration of Ilora Day where by all the indigene or native of Ilora home and abroad come home for the celebration. The celebration always includes many exciting moments, and the raffle draw moments where people who plays the ticket have the opportunity to win prizes. Also the culture and tradition of Ilora can not be discussed without mentioning the OSA POPO and it’s importance to the protection of the land.
THE CURRENT KING
The name of the current king of Ilora is Oba Stephen Olufemi Oyeniyi Oparinde II, He emerged as First Akibio of Ilora land that was crowned as King on January 14, 2012 and that’s why he’s tittled; HRM Oba Stephen Olufemi Oyeniyi Ilufemiloye Gbadewolu OPARINDE II The current King of Ilora. HRH Daniel Ajekigbe was the Oparinde I of Ilora was his successor.
TOURISM CENTERS IN ILORA
There are tourism centers in Ilora which include;
1. The palace of Akibio of Ilora land. It was said that the palace is filled with some ancient dieties.
2. The Oosha POPO shrine.
3. The town river called ODO ISANMI.
4. The Obananko tree which is regarded as the savior tree Obananko possessed beforeangrilh moving to the bush.
Credit :Imran Dhikrullah
