Rare photo of Awujale of Ijebu Ode

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Awujale of Ijebu Ode

Circa 1890s

In pre-colonial Yoruba society, a deposed king (oba) was expected to die. From a spiritual perspective, the oba was considered a sacred figure. Hence, as L. J. Munoz has pointed out, “his sacred character does not allow him to go on living after his deposition, precisely because that ‘character’ is permanent”. But there were other practical considerations as well. A deposed oba was required to die in order to obviate opposition to his successor, and hence make for a peaceful reign.

A deposed oba alive could constitute the focus of agitation and disaffection, thus endangering the security and survival of the state if he was the paramount king, or that of his town if a subordinate king.
There was the case of an Ijebu king, Awujale Fidipote, who in a bid to preempt deposition (and death) fled his capital and went on self-exile to Epe in 1883. Here, he promoted disaffection in the state, endeavouring to overawe the regency council in the hope of creating an enabling environment for his safe return home. He eventually died in Epe in 1885, with some of his supporters suspecting regicide masterminded by the regency council. 

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