Oranmiyan was the first king and the founder of the Oyo empire. Oranmiyan is the first grandson of Oduduwa the father of Yoruba who left Mecca to settled in Ile-Ife after the death of his father Lamurudu during religion fighting in Mecca.
Oranmiyan, who founded Oyo empire was a great Yoruba king who has conquered many war and avenge the death of their great-grandfather before he went ahead to found the city of Oyo Known today as Oyo Alaafin.
The present Alaafin of Oyo, His Majesty, Kabiyesi, Alaiyeluwa, Oba, Dr.Lamidi Olyiwola Atanda Adeyemi lll who has been on that throne for long even older than that of the British monarch has some powerful and influential women around him that is why the Alaafin is referred to as Iku Baba yeye, oko oso, oko Aje.
In Yoruba land, women occupy a very respected position and they are involved at every level of administration in the society. The outstanding civilization of the Yorubas over time is seen in the royal court of the Oyo Empire.
In Yorubaland, a woman can aspire to the highest position of her desires and this has been the practice for thousands of years. The role of the female in the traditional Yoruba society is so deeply embedded that no major policy can be implemented or decision made without involving the women.
In Oyo kingdom, there are Eight powerful women that control the kingdom, one of them was so powerful that the Alaafin has to kneel before her.
Iyamode
Iyamode is the only person the Aláàfin kneels before. Whenever the Aláàfin goes on his knees before this influential woman, she returns the salutation by kneeling too.
Iyamode occupies a powerful position that the king calls her ‘Baba’ (father). Whenever the Alaafin goes on his knees before this influential woman.
However, she never reclines on her elbow while kneeling. She is one of the most senior eight priestesses inside the Aláàfin’s royal household.
Iya Naso
Iya Naso is the one in charge of Alasfin private room where he worshipped Sango, the god of thunder. IYA Naso is responsible for Sango worship in the palace along with its rituals and requirements.
Iya Kere
Iya Kere is also a very powerful woman in the palace who is in charge of the treasures and paraphernalia of the Oyo kingdom, including the crown, which only she is allowed to place on the king’s head.
She keeps the royal insignia and all the paraphernalia used on state occasions and special events.
Iya Kere is also the ‘mother’ of all the Ilaris (male and female eunuchs who are kept in the palace with half their heads shaved off) and she keeps in her custody all the sugudus that bear the marks of each Ilari in order to ensure the safety of the life of the King.
Iya Monari
The role of this powerful woman in the Alaafin palace is to execute by strangling any Sango worshipper who has been condemned to death.
Any Sango worshippers condemned to death cannot be killed by the sword.
Iya Monari also assists Iya Naso.
6. Iya Fin Iku
She is referred to as the King’s Adoshu Sango meaning the King’s devotee to the Sango mysteries.
It is the normal practice for all Sango worshippers to devote one of their children to the worship of Sango and that is the role that Iya-fin-Iku fulfills for the Aláàfin.
She is also in charge of the sacred Sango ram which is allowed to go everywhere and about the markets without anyone molesting it and the ram can also eat with impunity anything.
7. Iyalagbon
This woman is the mother of all the Crown Prince (Aremo). In a case where the mother of the Aremo is deceased, then another woman is promoted to that office and she becomes the mother to the Aremo.
The Iyalagbon enjoys massive influence and controls a portion of the Kingdom.
8. Are Orite
She is the Alaafin’s personal attendant. She makes sure that the royal meals and royal bed are properly made.
She arranged the royal chambers very neatly. Whenever new Alaafin is enthroned, it is the Are-Orite who places the umbrella-like silken parasol over his head as a canopy and she is constantly by the side of the Alaafin to see to his needs and small services on public and state events.
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