Luwo Gbagida not Ooni but 16th Alaafin of Ile-Ife — Oluwo of Iwo

The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has clarified a report regarding the only female Ile-Ife monarch, Luwo Gbagida, as the Ooni of Ife. 

The monarch, who frowned at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and accused them of attempting to distort Yoruba history stated that the documentary referred to her as Luwo Gbagidi instead of Luwo Gbagida.

According to Oluwo, Luwo Gbagida was the 16th Alaafin of Ile-Ife and not the 21st as reported by the British media, saying she never bore the title of Ooni. 

He said, “It is imperative for us to react to the BBC story before it consumes and forms the basis for historical knowledge of innocent sons and daughters of Yoruba land. 

“We want to state that her correct name is Luwo Gbagida, not Luwo Gbagidi. As against the report published by BBC Yoruba, Iya Luwo Gbagida never bore the title of Ooni, but Alaafin translated it to Olofin in Ile-Ife language. Oduduwa used the title of Alaafin.

“Oduduwa conquered Ife and used the Alaafin title after the conquest. The title of Ooni was first used by the second ruler of Ife, Obamakin Osangangan, because they were of the shrine priesthood lineage.”

Continuing, the monarch added that a free slave was the first to use the title of Ooni for all the Ife Kings. 

“Samuel Johnson, a freed slave traced to Oyo origin, was the one that used the title Ooni for all Ife kings so as not to rival the king of his ancestral home. Luwo Gbagida was the 16th Alaafin of Ife, not the 21st as reported by BBC Yoruba.

“Equally, Adekola Telu was never the first Oluwo. The first Oluwo was Olumade Paarin, who was instructed by Luwo not to wear the crown, except when he sees where parrots are hatching.”

“She was our mother. The name Luwo was given to her in remembrance of Iwo, where her lineage earlier relocated from, before settling in Ile-Ife,” Oba Abdulrosheed added.

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