Ogbomosho
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Ogbomosho Ogbomosho Ajilete |
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|---|---|
 Ogbomosho
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| Coordinates: 8°08′N 4°15′E / 8.133°N 4.250°ECoordinates: 8°08′N 4°15′E / 8.133°N 4.250°E | |
| Country |
 Nigeria
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| State | Oyo State |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman of Ogbomosho North | Oladeji A. Olanrewaju |
| • Local Government Chairman of Ogbomosho South | Olajide Adisa Isaac |
| Elevation | 347 m (1,138 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 354,690 |
| • Density | 253/km2 (660/sq mi) |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) (UTC+1) |
| Climate | Aw |
Ogbomosho (also Ogbomoṣo) is a city in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, on the A1 highway. It was founded in the mid 17th century. The population was approximately 645,000 in 2006 census. The majority of the people are members of the Yoruba ethnic group. Yams, cassava, maize, and tobacco are some of the notable agricultural products of the region.
An early missionary described the town: "Ogbomosho in 1891 was a walled city, the gates of which were closely watched by day and securely closed by night. There was little or no communication between it and Oyo and Ilorin which were only thirty miles to the north and south. The town, picturesque and well watered was isolated from the rest of the Yoruba towns. Political relations were maintained with the Ibadans, for the country depended on its security on the warriors of Ogbomosho and Ikirun... The strength of Ogbomosho lay in the wall and moat surrounding the town, and the warriors made full use of it by sitting close and tight.."
The tale behind the name Ogbomoso
Ogunlola was of Ibariba descent. He came to the area now known as Ogbomoso in pursuit of his hunting profession. He stayed under ajagbon tree (still by the side of the palace) and used the branches for hanging gears. The whole place was at this time (around the middle of the seventeenth century), a dense jungle. He Ogunlola was an expert archer and brave hunter. Later he and his wife, Esuu, built their hut by the side of the ajagbon tree.
Ogunlola (Later Soun)noticed smoke oozing from some nearby locations. He took courage and approached these places and discovered other hunters. The first one named Aale at a site now called Oke-Elerin quarters, the second called Onsile at the site now known as Ijeru quarters, the third Orisatolu at Isapa quarters and the fourth Akande quarters. The descendants of the first three of these hunters are still today the Bales of Oke-elerin, Ijeru and Isapa quarters respectively. There is no more Bale Akande.
Egbe Alongo (Alongo Society)
Ogunlola, after the discovery of these hunters, took the initiative to invite them to form the Alongo Society. The Primary objectives of the society were: Defence against Sunmoni (slave prowler) raids Group hunting of wild animals, and Mutual assistance. At the take off of the society. Ogunlola was, made the chairman. After each day’s hunting, they retired to Ogunlola’s hut where they were treated to beans and other meals and were served with sekete wine brewed by Ogunlola’s wife from fermented guinea corn. They also engaged in discussing current affairs and planning.
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Wikipedia