is an important town in Osun State. It is one of the earliest Yoruba towns, and is as old as Old Oyo founded by Oranmiyan. Various traditions of Ejigbo origin agree that the founder of present day Ejigbo was a prince of Ile-Ife whose name was Akinjole. He left Ife at the time Oranmiyan returned from Benin to found Old Oyo Empire. According to Prince Oyeleke Bello: “Akinjole followed the footsteps of his brother Akinoruja, who founded the townIkire-ile in Osun State”. After consultations with the Ifá oracle, he was directed to face the direction of the place where Ejigbo is today, and told that he should not stop until he reached the place where “Eye Agbigbo” were rampant. It also instructed him to go along with his father’s god, Orisa-Nla and be its custodian, because this god would guard, guide and protect him throughout his journey. Akinjole then prepared himself and left Ile-Ife to start his adventure in the thick forest where in which dwelled wild animals and evil spirits.
Beginning of Kingdom
Tradition has it that Akinjole and Olusiji were living together and exchanging views. Then strangers, visitors, men and women started migrating into present day Ejigbo from their original homes. Some people came as hunters, farmers, black-smiths, goldsmiths, traders etc. These people were received by both Akinjole and Olusiji. They assimilated and accepted the same culture.
Structure of the Palace
The Ogiyan palace is situated in the centre of the town surrounded by a concrete wall. The Northern side of the place is occupied by the Town Hall, adjacent to the evening market and the imposing Central Mosque; its North-eastern side is occupied by the Cooperative Bank while its Eastern side is occupied by the Ejigbo Local Government Shopping Centre.
Palace chiefs and their functions
In the days preceding western influence in the interior of Yoruba land, Ejigbo palace procedure was a unique one. This can is supported by paragraph 30 of Dickson: "”.
When an Oba dies, regardless of the time spent in the position, the priests of Orisa-Ogiyan and of other gods are the first people to see his dead body so that they can perform special rites and rituals on the demised Oba. This happens before an announcement to the public is made.
Selecting a New Oba
The method of selection of a new Oba in Ejigbo in the days before the spread and conquest of Western Civilization in the land of Yoruba was quite different from the way it is selected today. Today, there are innovations, motivations and improvements in the selection of an Oba.
Orisa-Ogiyan
Ogiyan is the name of the person who holds the title of Oba in Ejigbo. Ogiyan is the short form of “Ogiriniyan,” the father of the founder of Ejigbo. Therefore, the god worshiped by Ogiriniyan when Akinjole became its custodian was called Orisa-Ogiyan. Ogiyan festival is the only festival that unites all sons and daughters, Muslims and Christians, of Ejigbo together. The Orisa Ogiyan festival is held at the beginning of the harvest of new yams, usually in the rainy season. The Orisa is fed with new yam and epo pupa. It occurs every year during the month of September. The King’s palace is the center of spiritual rites and social activities during this period. The Oba, being the custodian of the god and all the activities, social and spiritual, are focused on him.
Conclusion
The founder of the present day Ejigbo was a priest of Ile Ife whose name was Akinjole. He left Ile Ife the time Oranmiyan returned from Benin to the Old Oyo Empire. Being the custodian of his fathers’ god – Orisa Nla, he left Ile Ife with it to found Ejigbo. The god later became to be known as ‘Orisa Ogiyan’ in Ejigbo.
