OLUPONNA, an ancient settlement in Osun State, was founded well over 300 years ago. The town started as Olu-pon-aanu by the great hunter and ancestor, Olaojo, following the migration of many princes from Oyo Ile either for personal exploits or exploration for a more productive settlement, in strict compliance with directive of the reigning kings or in obedience to the conditions enunciated for the achievement of personal requests or ambitions through the oracular divinations of the Ifa priest. Legend has it that Olaojo, a famous princely hunter and farmer, was most desirous of having a child of his own. When the Ifa oracle was consulted, he was advised to migrate until he reached a fertile location before a very big river and settle there to worship the goddess of that river through whom he would achieve his objectives and be happy. Olaojo obeyed. He left Oyo Ile with his family and first settled in Igbo Orita to begin to worship the Osun shrine he brought along. He later moved to a more convenient and spacious site at Moshun where he organised a permanent shrine for the worship of Osun which became the goddess of the shrine of Oluponna. He created the mosun market around the shrine.
Olaojo soon became a father in succession and this made Osun Oluponna so famous that many barren women and seekers of children were attracted not only to frequent Oluponna to appease Osun for the fruit of the womb but also made the annual Osun festival a 17-day programme of prayer, solicitations and public testimonies followed with a grand finale of celebration and dancing by the iya osun round the town, the most glamorous festival before Muslims and Christians became firmly established. Olaojo begat Osungbemi, Osunyinka, Aiwosi Aina, Oshunwale and Oshunbukoye. He enjoyed the confidence of his people and gladly offered lands and settled early immigrants around his settlement. Among early arrivals were the people of Ajimagbo, Agba, Alagba, Atapa, Ejimu, Oosa, Odofin and Akuru compounds; Onibata, Aro, Animasahun, and Olosha oko. Oluponna, as it is now better known, was surrounded by other settlements, including Moosa, Alaya, Lanye, Oariagbon, Ileran and Idi Ire. The need for mutual protection against external aggression during the Yoruba wars of the 18th and early 19th centuries brought Alaya, Lanye and Ileran to Oluponna without losing their communal identity.
Early and as a result of a taboo during the Egungun festival, Moosa people headed by Baokun migrated and took refuge at Oluponna. Legend confirms that this was facilitated due to the popularity of Osun Oluponna that had helped many barren people, far and near to be proud parents. In fact, Osunbambi, the descendant of Moniloye and Aiyelabowo and set of Bakun, was named in praise of Oshun Oluponna. The friendly relationship that existed between the Olaojo and Baokun families dictated the honour and respect accorded that family upon moving to Oluponna after the crisis as long as the principal idol of Moosa-mo onshala or Orisa Ogiyan was only worshipped on their original site to avoid any competition with Osun festival.
Oshunwemimo Olaojo, elder sister of King Osunbukoye (then Baale), married a man from Imosa (Moosa), Baokun, and gave birth to Fadepe, who was a grandchild of King Olaojo from the female Iineage. Fadepo was a personal assistant to the then messenger between King Osunbukoye, the Baale and the Oluwo, king Ande. After King Osunbukoye died in 1989, Fadepo succeeded him due to Fadepo’s familiarity at Iwo and of the affairs with Oluwo king Ande. There was a strong appeal by Sowemimo Olaojo ( Fadepo’s mother) to her brothers to let her son become Baale of Oluponna after the long reign of King Osunbukoye’s. Lastly, Fadepo became the obvious choice in the ensuing contest to succeed King Osunbukoye after his death.The Alara-Olaojo family did not protest because Fadepo’s was a grandson of Olaojo through his mother, Osunwemimo Olaojo who married Baokun, a man from Imosa (Moosa). This was the beginning of Baale Olaojo (now king) female lineage having access and he died in 1929. Following Fadepo’s death, another person from Baokun’s family named Oyekanmi stepped in.
A man who was well educated above every other candidate for the position of Baale (now king), he got the backup and support of Olubadan of Ibadan, Baale Abasi Okunola, in 1930 with an official letter supporting him as the next baale of Oluponna. There were protests from both Olaojo and Baokun’s descendant as one Oyetunji had been considered to succeed Fadepo after his 27-year reign and death in 1957. It is imperative for me to set the record straight. This, I believe, will put my town on the world map and assist kingmakers.
- Prince Ariyibi writes in from Oluponna,Osun State.
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