[Day 7 of 14] History informs the people's realities: Lessons from Osun...

The Ataoja…

The title for the traditional head of Osogbo is the Ataoja is shrinked form of “A-tewo-gbeja” which literally means the “one who stretch forth his hands to receive the fish”. It is the seventh day of my holiday escapades and I will bring you into the historical details surrounding the king of Osogbo.

• The Feminine Goddess

The town was original founded by the goddess of Osun River. The goddess Oso-Igbo was a prominent queen who existed during the era of Oduduwa. Oso-Igbo, has an exceptional taste for serenity and nature, possessed magical powers which inspired her subjects as well as scared away enemies.
Her uniqueness has helped give protection to her people. At the fall of the old Oyo kingdom due to the Fulani invasion, Osogbo served as first point of call for the fleeing citizens of the kingdom.
** The beginning of Structured Monarchy **
According to the Yoruba folklore, the kingship history of Osogbo dates back to the mid-17th century. Born out of the severe drought, the discovery of Osun river by a prominent hunter from Oyo kingdom (Olutimehin) let to the emigration of the people out of Ipole Omu to present day Osogbo. Larooye the second child of Owa Laage led this circumstantial exodus of the former inhabitants of Ipole Omu, thereby, became the first Oba of the settlement with the title of Ataoja.

• Osun in the 21st Century

As a town with a long history of passive resistance and unimaginable ingenuity among its people, Osun has been a state of prominent relevance across the globe. With a certified UNESCO heritage site, Osun is a leading source of foreign direct investment in Nigeria due to the tourist attractions in the state.

The leading tie and die industry in the state also serve a major export to the global fashion industry. A land that was founded by a goddess known for her benevolence and fruitfulness, Osun is blessed with a large expanse of fertile land with diverse agricultural products.

A recent measure of national measure of misery index in Nigeria shows the state as the second best performing state on the scale just lagging behind Taraba State and closely followed by Ogun State. The local indigene has a long history of passive resistance in the face of perceived injustice. The resistance was displayed in 1920 when the people rose against Lahanmi whom has claimed the throne of Ataoja through a crooked means. A similar resistance was withnessed in recent political row, which saw the return of political mandate to a dogged fighter with the support of the people after 3 years into office.

This town, like any other human settlement, has gone through a lot phases and changes. One thing remains like an anchor – the nature and humane people that has made this place home.