Alara of Ilara-Mokin
Alara (Yoruba: Alárá) is the royal title of the king of Ilara-Mokin land in Nigeria. The Alara may be addressed as Oba, like rulers in other Yoruba kingdoms, or as His Royal Majesty. Alara is also known to be unquestionable (Yoruba: kábíyèsí), with an authority that is said to be next to the gods (Yoruba: alásẹ ìkejì òrìsà).
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History
The first Alárá of Ilara-Mokin was Ọbalúfọ̀n Modulua Olutipin, who was also known as Obalufon Alayemore (some sources identify the Ọbàlùfọ̀n here as Obalufon Ogbogbodirin. According to oral history, Ọbàlùfọ̀n fled from Ilé-Ìfẹ̀ called Ará (meaning family or relative) (hence why Ilara is named Ilara, "The one who has many relatives") along with other people and fellow leaders such as Ajígun Ọlọ́fin after being deposed by Oranmiyan.[1] There, Ọbalufon established many settlements and towns in what is now the Ekiti region. Among those towns were Ìlárá. Upon Obalufon's departure, he placed his son Àyájọ́ on the throne as the second Alárá.
The name Alárá comes from the phrase, "oní ará," meaning, "The leader of the family," referring to the original place where the people of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín originated from. Kings of other towns in the Ekiti and surrounding regions also founded by Ọbalufon also use the title Alárá, such as Alárá of Arámọkọ-Èkìtì, Alárá of Ará (in Osun State).
Because Ilara-Mokin was a part of the Akure Kingdom, the Alara answered to the Déjì of Akure and had to pay homage, tribute, and was not permitted to wear a crown. He was regarded as a, "baálẹ̀." This continued into the absorption of Ilara into Colonial Nigeria. When Nigeria gained independence, the Alara was elevated to a monarch (Ọba), and beginning with Alara Ojopagogo, the Alara was allowed to wear a crown.
Ruling Houses
Ilara-Mokin has two royal houses, Agbekorun and Afunbiokin ( houses, whom were originally one royal dynasty before being split by the descendants of Alara Agbekorun, Iyata I and Alara Afunbiokin, Agbesa I, who were likely brothers. The Kingship thus alternates between the two houses. The current monarch is a member of the Agbekorun House, and is a direct descendant of Oba Agbekorun.[2]
Accession Process
A council of 9 or 12 chiefs called the Kingmakers, "Afọbajẹ," headed by the Lisa of Ilara-Mokin, have the traditional power to enthrone the king, with the aid of the Ifa. The Lisa or another Chief Ifa priest often performs the Ifa rituals needed to consult the god Ọ̀rúnmìlà regarding who was the best candidate to become King. The royal house that is due to rule presents a series of princes who become candidates to the throne. Once the Kingmakers select the King, he is put through a series of rituals based on the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion of the Yoruba people, before he is presented to the people and crowned.
Today
His Royal Highness, Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti is the king of Ilara-Mokin, he ascended the throne on 17 July 1998.
List of Alaras
| Tenure | Incumbent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| c.1400s | Founding of current Ilara-Mokin ruling dynasty | |
| c.1400 | Obalufon Modulua "Olutipin", Alara | Said to be the same person as Obalufon Alayemore, he founded many Ekiti towns. He led his family and a group of supporters from Ile Ife and founded a community which became Ilara-Mokin, before leaving to return to Ife. He placed his son, Ayajo on the throne. |
| c.1400s-unknown | Ayajo, Alara | Son of Obalufon Modulua, became ruler of Ilara after his father returned to Ile-Ife. |
| unknown | Ogbolumodu-Ifa, Alara | Likely a son or male relative of Ayajo, succeeded him to the throne |
| unknown | Olugbo, Alara | Likely a son of Ogbolumodu-Ifa |
| unknown | Eyinmirin, Alara | Likely a son of Olugbo |
| unknown | Itakiti Owunrin, Alara | Likely a son of Eyinmirin |
| unknown | Araya Gbokun, Alara | Son of Itakiti Owunrin |
| unknown | Ariyinbole, Alara | Son of Araya Gbokun |
| unknown | Ogbarugbode Alara | Son of Ariyinbole |
| unknown | Ogidi Loogun (Oke bi orun-o-si), Alara | Son of Ogbarugbode |
| unknown | Otiti (Elewo Oogun), Alara | Son of Ogidi Loogun |
| unknown | Atakoro ni Gbaun, Alara | Son of Otiti |
| unknown | Ogidigidi Loogun, (Ateri Iroko Mudako), Alara | Possibly the same as Oba Ogidi Loogun, or a descendant |
| unknown | Oboye Leekan, Alara | son of Ogidigidi Loogun |
| unknown | Adeyeye I, Alara | Son of Oboye Leekan, Ancestor of Oba Adeyeye II, Solomon Adubi Ojopagogo |
| unknown | Esunmirin Egbeke, Alara | Son of Adeyeye I |
| 1600s | Adetomiluyi, (Alataoji Ori), Alara | Son of Esunmirin |
| late 1630s | Apeloye bi Awukale, Alara | Son of Adetomiluyi |
| 1690s | Ajiperi Igbodo, Alara | |
| 1805 to 1860 | Agbekorun (Iyata I), Alara | Progenitor of one of the current royal houses of Ilara-Mokin, Agbekorun. He rose to the throne at the age of 3 after the sudden death of his father, Ajiperi, and ruled for 65 years before dying at the age of 68 and succeeded by his brother. He is an ancestor of the current Alara. He was driven to a place called Adebulu. |
| c. 1860 - 1870 | Afunbiokin (Agbesa), Alara | Alara during attack of Ilara by Ajayi Seriki in c.1864, during which Ogendengbe of Ilesha was captured, Ilara people settled in Agbesa/Apomu in their present location after being granted permission by the Deji of Akure, Ojijigogun |
| c. 1870 - c. 1875 | Agunsoyebiioyinbo, Alara | |
| c. 1875 - c.1883 | Osuntuyi (Odundun Asodedero), Alara | a member of the Afinbiokin Royal House |
| c. 1883-1918 | Opokiti ni Baba Akaye jo biowo, Alara | Member of Afinbiokin royal house. Alara during Kiriji War, died in 1918 |
| 1918-1937 | Okerukusoro (Okérùkùṣorọ̀), Agunlokobioyinbo Adebumiti, Alara | Member of Afinbiokin royal house |
| 1937 - 1958 | Adamu Aladegbohungbe (Arojojoye Adeletejiteji), Alara | Son of Alara Opokiti. He was sent into exile by the Colonial administration for disturbing the peace of his kingdom and the Native Authority because he wore a beaded crown, which was a direct offense to the ruler of the Akure kingdom, Adesida I, the only monarch allowed to wear a crown. |
| 1958 - October 16, 1994 | Solomon Adubi Ojopagogo, Afunbiokin Adeyeye II, Alara | First Christian Alara, born in c. 1925, rose to the throne in 1958 after the exile of Oba Adamu Aladegbohungbe, ruled until his death in October 1994, member of the Afinbiokin Royal House. He was widely beloved for his promotion of festivals and cultural activities in Ilara Mokin Kingdom, and was the first monarch of Ilara-Mokin to wear a beaded crown. |
| 1998–present | Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti, Agbekorun II, Alara | Descendant of Agbekorun, member of the Agbekorun Royal House, rose to the throne upon the death of Oba Adeyeye II and was crowned on July 17, 1998, and is the current King. He faced controversy and disapproval for his refusal to participate in traditional rites as a "born again Christian" |
See also
- Nigerian traditional rulers
- Timeline of Ilara-Mokin
References
- "Battling with Symbols: Staffs of Office, Menhirs, and Thrones". Art and Risk in Ancient Yoruba. 2015. pp. 396–453. doi:10.1017/CBO9781139128872.010. ISBN 9781139128872.
- "King's profile – Ilara".
- "Programme for launch of fund for an ultramodern palace in commemoration of the 10th coronation anniversary of H.R.H. Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti J.P. Agbekorun II Alara of Ilara-Mokin". Egbe Omo Ilara-Mokin. 2008-07-19.
- "PAST KINGS & CABINETS – Ilara".
- "Osolo and Iralepo as Minor Obas Under the Deji of Akure".
- History of Akure by Olugbenga Fadeyi