Olofin Orubu is the new name of the then Orubu settlement. Orubu was one of the old settlements (under Igangan-Ijesha) that existed many centuries ago. Very close to Ajumobi, a few kilometers away from Owode-Igangan, it was one of the vassal territories to Igangan-Ijesha.
Anjorin established this settlement many seven centuries ago. Anjorin was one of the kings that were enthroned in Igangan-Ijesha. In another narration, he was the first king, while Arake was the chief priest.
Anjorin was enthroned from the house of Igbá-Òdu, who was also one of the sons of Oba Ògo. Ògo had two children, a male (Ògo) and a female (Igbá-Òdu). Therefore, Olofin Orubu inherited this lineage.
People settled in Orubu as at then, and they engaged in different economic activities, especially hunting, fishing, and farming. Farmers formed associations, just like fishermen and hunters.
Orubu hunters reached as far as Etin-Oni, Faforiji, Ayinrin Adedeji, and Ayinrin Alamuye to hunt game. There was development in all facets, until the era of evacuation set in.
People started to evacuate this settlement to other territories, and they never returned back to the place till the whole Orubu became a settlement with no single living entity.
This occurred perhaps during the early sixteenth century (the 1510s), when Anjorin of Igangan-Ijesha was just using about a hundred years on the throne after the establishment of Igangan-Ijesha in the 1420s, six hundred years ago. What was the reason for the evacuation of Orubu during this period?
Two people fought in the settlement, and they raised ègún on each other. Ègún in Yoruba land was a curse that would surely come to pass, and remained lasting forever, until the deities of the cursed land, or people, were assuaged.
When the two people cursed themselves, people started to die continuously, and those who were still alive quickly evacuated the place in order to escape death. This was how the then Orubu emptied itself.
Olofin Orubu
Fortunately, in 2021, the Babaloye of Igangan-Ijesha, Oba Adetomiwa Lucas, and other big stakeholders in the Ajo-Ilu (Community Assembly) sought to revive this place by the popular coronation of the Olofin of Orubu, Oba Adebanji Lucas.
The deities of this settlement (which is now bushy and deeply forested) have been pleased and assuaged with some elements of peace in Yoruba land; salt and others. Therefore, the ègún on Orubu had vanished and the new Orubu is renamed Olofin Orubu, to change to a peaceful pattern of existence. The name Olofin originated from Odù-Ifá (the oracle);
“Olofin Ajaka of Iwanran
The son of Olu Orobo
Olu Orobo, the son of Agboniregun
Purity and peace, your house, Olofin
Resettlement, and harmony, your house, Olofin”
Olofin Ajakaye was the elder brother to Orangun of Ila. That is, the existence of Olofin in Ila made it a peace settlement. That was how the name was birthed.
The Olofin of Orubu, Oba Adebanji Lucas Ph.D., is a direct descent of the Anjoorin lineage, just like the mother state, Igangan-Ijesha. He is very passionate about this resuscitation.
Oba Adebanji’s father was born in the then Orubu settlement; therefore, he is willing to resuscitate this settlement, to maintain his father’s origin, who was an elder to Oba Adetomiwa Lucas, the Babaloye of Igangan-Ijesha.
Development in Olofin Orubu has started, especially from August 2021 upwards. On August 17, 2021, which was after the coronation, the settlement was surveyed to know where significant buildings: the place, road, religious centers, police station, health center, and others, would be situated in the new community.
Citation: Faforiji Tadese. The Reformation of Olofin Orubu. September 3, 2021. Tadexprof. Retrieved from https://tadexprof.com/2021/09/olofin-orubu/
Read More
- Faforiji T.O. (May 23, 2021). History of Igangan-Ijesha. Retrieved fromhttps://tadexprof.com/2021/05/history-of-igangan-ijesha/
- The Saba-Ogboni of Igangan-Ijesha. Youtube. Retrieved from here
