“Ile-Ife Is Not the Origin of the Yoruba Race” – Oluwo of Iwo
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has stirred controversy by rejecting the long-held belief that Ile-Ife is the cradle of the Yoruba people. Speaking during a chieftaincy ceremony at his palace in Iwo, Osun State, the monarch insisted that Ife does not reflect the true culture and history of the Yoruba race. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Oluwo’s Argument: Language and Cultural Differences
According to Oba Akanbi, the language spoken in ancient Ife differs significantly from contemporary Yoruba.
“Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba race. Those people don’t speak our language. Their language is different. They refer to God as Eledumare, and there is nothing like Eledumare in the Yoruba language. What we have is Olodumare,” the Oluwo stated.
He further pointed out certain terms that, in his view, demonstrate a cultural divide:
“Ife people will always say Olofin, and if you ask them the meaning, they will tell you it means the owner of the palace. What that means in Yoruba is Alaafin. Ile-Ife has no Yoruba culture,” he added.
Iwo: Keeper of True Yoruba History
Oba Akanbi described himself as the “Arole Olodumare” (representative of God) and claimed that Iwo preserves the authentic Yoruba history that is not widely documented.
“I am here to tell you the true history. Iwo is where you can get the real history that was not even documented,” he emphasized, urging his subjects to preserve his words as part of Yoruba heritage.
The monarch also expressed fearlessness in speaking the truth:
“Whatever I am telling you now, you must keep it because death can come anytime. I am not scared of death because it is inevitable.”
Renewed Disputes Over Yoruba Titles
Oba Akanbi’s remarks come amid ongoing disagreements among Yoruba traditional rulers concerning historical interpretation and the authority to confer titles.
Recently, tensions arose between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, over a chieftaincy title allegedly awarded to Ibadan businessman Chief Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin demanded its revocation within 48 hours, but the Ooni’s palace dismissed the threat, stating the matter had been left “to the court of public opinion.”
Conclusion
The Oluwo of Iwo’s controversial statement has reignited debates over the origins of the Yoruba people and which city truly preserves their cultural legacy. While Ile-Ife has long been celebrated as the historic cradle of Yoruba civilization, Oba Akanbi’s declaration positions Iwo as a critical custodian of Yoruba history.