The Oyo Empire was founded around 1300CE by Oranmiyan of the Yoruba people of West Africa. An empire ruled by Alaafin “igba-keji orisa”, who descended from the historical figure, Oduduwa or Olofin.
In the early sixteenth century, Oyo was still a minor state with little power against its northern neighbors. The state was led by Oranmiyan, the first Alaafin of Oyo, who gained the position based on his prowess and strong reputation as a military leader.
By the second half of the century, the power of Oyo began to grow when the Alaafin Orompoto began using the wealth derived from trade to establish a powerful cavalry force and to maintain a full-time standing, trained army.
Also in terms of its military expansion, the Empire expanded based on its convenient trade location and ability to manipulate the markets.
Oyo’s wealth from trading and especially slave-trading led to debates about the kingdom’s future. Some Alaafins wanted to use the wealth to maintain the army and expand the geographic area of the state, others wanted it for conspicuous consumption.
These differences led to civil wars as rivals competed for control of the throne and of Oyo’s vast treasury. This period of internal strife ended with Alafin Abiodun (1754-1789) who reduced the power of the army.
The empire began to witness its decline and collapse in the second half of the 18th century during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun. By 19th century, the empire had already collapsed.
The 19th century was a century characterized by a revolution in Yorubaland. The century began with internal political crises and a series of wars that consequently result in the fall of the old Oyo empire.
Immediately after the fall of old Oyo, Ibadan, a new city-state that was founded in the 1820s, emerged as the strongest.
In the process of building an empire, Ibadan engages in several wars, especially the 16years war of 1877. But for the purpose of this article, our discussion will only be limited to discussing the fall of the old oyo empire and Bashorun Gaa.
As earlier stated, the genesis of the fall of the empire can be narrowed down to the second half of 18th century when the empire was under the political reign of Alaafin Abiodun.
Towards the collapse of the empire, two major reasons for its collapse were the power tussle between the Alaafin and Bashorun Gaa, and the outbreak of the Muslim jihad led by Afonja in 1817.
Now, the question is, who is Alaafin Abiodun and who is Bashorun Gaa? what transpired between the Alaafin and the Head of the Oyomesi? and to what extent is the strength of the Oyomesi?
Alaafin Abiodun
Alaafin Abiodun was the 29th Alaafin of Oyo empire. He came to power as a successor to Alaafin Majeogbe in 1755 and ruled till 1805. after his demise, he was succeeded by his son, Awole in 1805.
It was during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun that the old Oyo empire realize its true potential and power and on the contrary, it was also during his reign that Oyo began to witness its decline.
Bashorun Gaa
Bashorun Gaa was the head of the Oyo Mesi. The Oyomesi were known as the kingmaker. They installed a new Alaafin after several consultations with the Ifa oracle.
They constituted the electoral council and possess the legislative powers to carry out their duty. The Oyomesi represent the voice of the nation and also had the chief responsibility of protecting the interest of the empire.
The Alaafin also takes counsel from them whenever matters affecting the state occur. His authority was curbed by the various political institutions of Oyo, particularly the Oyo Mesi.
The Bashorun is the leader of the Oyo Mesi, he exercised the highest authority and control such as in many ways rivaled the power of the Alaafin himself.
Bashorun Gaa became Prime Minister and the head of the Oyo Mesi during the reign of Alaafin Onisile.
Bashorun Gaa’s tyranny started in the days when Labisi was being prepared for the throne of Oyo. Bashorun Gaa killed the prince’s friends and silenced his supporters, thereby starting his own rule, which he surreptitiously did with the installation of puppet kings from whom he demanded homage.
As the head of the Oyo Mesi, he became too powerful. He was said to be so powerful he could turn into any animal at will.
He was Bashorun from 1750 to 1774 and was believed to have grown up during the reign of the 9 Alaafins. As a despotic ruler, Bashorun Gaa subverted the constitution and ruled for 20years.
He was a despot. He installed and deposed some of the Alaafins based on will. But unfortunately, he met his waterloo in 1774 during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun. It was then he was finally defeated alongside his associates.
What transpired between Bashorun Gaa and Alaafin Abiodun
Oyo Empire can only be ruled by an Alaafin (King) whose power can be limited by the Oyo Mesi who served to maintain a balance in power. They were headed by a Prime Minister called Bashorun and could request the king’s suicide by sending him a calabash of parrot’s eggs. The head of this council is called Bashorun
In the history of the Oyo Empire, among all the Bashoruns who have ruled, Bashorun Gaa was the most popular.
He was so remarkable because he successfully enthroned five Kings and then deposed four of them. However, he ran out of luck with Alaafin Abiodun where he met his ultimate end around the year 1774.
Bashorun Gaa’s end was believed to have come during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun. It was told that Bashorun Gaa murdered the Alaafin’s only daughter, Agbonyin. It was stated that Bashorun Gaa killed the girl for a ritual, another version states that Gaa needed a deer and when he couldn’t get any, he ordered his men to kill Alaafin Abiodun’s daughter, Agbonyin because she had a similar name.
Immediately after the news of his daughter’s murder by Gaa reached him, Alaafin Abiodun met with the Onikoyi and the then Are-Ona-Kakanfo, Oyabi from Ajaseland, on how to send Gaa to his grave and Alaafin Abiodun and his co-plotters succeeded in extinguishing the fear Bashorun Gaa had instilled in the people of Oyo-Ile.
After he was captured, Bashorun Gaa was dragged out and tied to a stake at Akesan market and every citizen cut a pound of flesh from his body and drop it in a huge fire in front of him. He was made to smell the odour of his own flesh.
The execution of Bashorun Gaa eventually brought up a popular saying in Yoruba land to warn those in power and the rulers who are tyrants.
The saying goes thus: “Bi o laya ko seka, sugbon bi o ba ranti iku Gaa ki o so oto”. This is translated as — “If you are brave, venture into wickedness, but if you remembered Gaa’s death, adhere to the truth”.
The defeat of Gaa might look glorious on the surface, but beneath the mask of Oyo empire, it was just the beginning of the total collapse and fall of the empire.
The killing of Gaa consequently relinquished the military and political strength of the empire. Also, the political unrest the old Oyo Empire witnessed after Gaa’s death made some kingdoms under her auspices declare their independence.
Also, the power display by Gaa shows the extent of the strength of the Oyomesi.
All these however contributed to the weakness of the empire that led to the subsequent fall of the old Oyo Empire in the 19th century.
